Studio Arts

Cultural Crafts is a studio-based, hands-on Fine Art class with a focus on how arts and crafts function in a variety of cultures. Students will learn about different cultures and how art functions in their society. They will create an assortment of fine art crafts in a studio atmosphere and participate in group discussions. Cultures and techniques include: Mexican embossing, Japanese embroidery, Indian henna, Moroccan luminaries, Native American dream catchers and more.

This is a one semester course for students wanting to get back into the art classroom and may only have room for a one semester course. Students will work creating projects that appeal to them in their choice of different media. Students may create projects through drawing, painting, screening, mixed media and more. This course is for students who miss having time in the art room, but may not be interested in a full-year concentration course.

Students will have the option to create a children’s picture book, or a collection of comics or cartoons. The instructor will work with students to help them develop their own unique illustration style and voice. Each student will work toward a final goal of creating and self-publishing a book of their own.

The instructor is the co-author and illustrator of the children’s picture book ‘A Spark in the Dark’ and the co-author and illustrator of the cartoon ‘Shark Cove’.

This one semester course is offered to all students interested in developing their drawing skills. Students will work from direct observation as well as their imagination in subjects such as still life, portraits and figure drawing, landscapes and abstract art. Focus will be on understanding and applying the elements and principles of design as well as an introduction to art history and analysis. Media includes graphite, colored, pencil, oil and soft pastel, ink and charcoal.

Fundamentals of Drawing and Design is a course designed to foster emerging artists, giving them the skills to take their art to the next level.

This course may not be repeated. Interested students should move on to Advanced Drawing and Design.

Honors Portfolio is a full year course offered to students in grade 12 who have a strong commitment to art and may want to prepare for a post high school art education. They must demonstrate strong basic skills in artwork through a portfolio submitted for review prior to enrollment. While working in a variety of media, students are encouraged to develop a personal style, self-evaluate their work, participate in critiques and ultimately prepare a portfolio for college. A strong emphasis is put on observational drawing, painting, photography and a variety of media.

Printmaking I is a one-semester course offered to all grade levels 9-12. Students will learn the techniques involved in a variety of printmaking methods. Included will be work in mono-printing, stencil and relief print processes, linoleum and woodblock work, and dry point etching. While the emphasis is on the production of prints, students will also be introduced to the history of printmaking, study prints by the world’s great artists, and consider the place of printmaking in the art of different cultures. This course may not be repeated. Interested students should go on to Printmaking II.

What makes a sculpture successful? This course strives to answer this question by looking at and engineering sculpture. Basic 3d design principles are individually introduced to help students develop the vocabulary and skills necessary to make sculpture with a point of view. Starting with abstraction and working towards representation, students create and critique work individually and together.

Skill building exercises are coupled with independent projects to help students develop confidence, resulting in an understanding of formal ideas, subject matter and personal style.

This course may be repeated.

Studio Art is a full year course offered to students in grade 9-12. It is an introduction to a wide variety of media, with a focus on good studio habits and appropriate vocabulary. Projects concentrate on developing the skill and technique to create art with impact. Studio students will be given opportunities to experience a variety of media (pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, and paint) while developing individual style and creative problem solving skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, analyze and interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writing.

This course may not be repeated.