Visual Art Classes

Your journey in the Visual Arts starts with Art Foundations.  This course gives students a sampling of two of our four core disciplines while learning the essentials of visual communication. Art Foundations is the prerequisite for all other art courses. 

da Vinci Students who have not taken it should enroll in Art Foundations. Otherwise, daVinci students should enroll in an Explorations course.  

Art Foundations (Grades 9 - 10.  Grades 11 - 12 should start with an Explorations level class)

020F/SS   Semester Credits: 6      Level: ACP

“ * Art Foundations is an ideal starting point for any student interested in 2D (Photo, Drawing, Digital Media) or 3D Art (Sculpture, Ceramics).  The semester is split in half: one half is spent exploring 2D Art, and the other half is spent exploring 3D Art.  The course focuses on the fundamentals of art-making and equips students with the tools necessary to advance to any next-level art class.  Grades 11-12 should start with an Explorations course.

Explorations classes are second-level classes that build upon skills and concepts students learn in Art Foundations.  Art Explorations can be a starting point for older students taking high school art for the first time.

2D Explorations (Prerequisite for Grade 9 only: Art Foundations or concurrent enrollment in Art Foundations.  No prerequisite for Grades 11-12)

021F/SS Semester Credits: 6 Level: ACP

“  * In 2D Explorations, students learn fundamental drawing techniques and discover the expressive use of drawing and painting materials. Color theory, composition, perspective, self-portraiture, and mixed media are some concepts that will be explored in a fun and creative atmosphere. 2D media covered in this course include but are not limited to graphite, collage, and painting.

3D Explorations (Prerequisite for Grade 9 only: Art Foundations or concurrent enrollment in Art Foundations.  No prerequisite for Grades 11-12)

041F/SS Semester        Credits: 6    Level: ACP

“  * In 3D Explorations, students learn to express concepts and narratives through three-dimensional sculptural media. This course is designed to broaden students’ technical ability with diverse mediums such as paper mache, wire, assemblage, found objects, and glass. The design process is emphasized through planning and ideation while introducing students to the expressive freedom of building with physical objects and materials. 

Ceramics Explorations (Prerequisite for Grade 9 only: Art Foundations or concurrent enrollment in Art Foundations.  No prerequisite for Grades 11-12)

061F/SS Semester Credits: 6 Level: ACP

“  * Ceramics Explorations focuses on developing strong construction skills in clay through hand-building techniques and builds an awareness of three-dimensional design. Demonstrations and assigned projects will also explore various high and low-fire glazing possibilities as we look at why people create.

Photo Explorations (Prerequisite for Grade 9 only: Art Foundations or concurrent enrollment in Art Foundations.  No prerequisite for Grades 11-12)

081F/SS Semester Credits: 6    Level: ACP

“ * Photo Explorations introduces students to DSLR cameras, digital editing, film photography, and darkroom printing. The class will consist of photo projects, technical demonstrations, critiques, and discussions. Students will be required to photograph inside and outside of class. 

Digital Arts Explorations (Prerequisite for Grade 9 only: Art Foundations or concurrent enrollment in Art Foundations.  No prerequisite for Grades 11-12)

091F/SS     Semester          Credits: 6   Level: ACP

“ * Media Arts Explorations is a course for students who want to develop their digital art skills further. The elements and principles of art and design will be explored using 2D and 3D digital art media to create imaging, animation, and 3D modeling. Students will use various programs, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Cinema4D, to explore new methods of artistic expression and visual communication. Projects include digital imaging, motion graphics, character animation, and stop-motion animation.

Video Explorations (Grades 10-12)

097F/SS     Semester     Credits: 6         Level: ACP

097QS Quarter           Credits: 3            Level: ACP

* In Video Studio, students learn how to communicate with an audience using recorded images and sound. Students develop techniques for use in pre-production, shooting, on-screen and voice-over performance, and post-production. Projects include music videos, short films, documentaries, news segments, and promotional videos. Returning students may work independently on individual or group video projects for honors credit with instructor approval. Note: this is the prerequisite course for CTE Television and Video at NNHS.  This course may be repeated for credit.  Students can take Honors Video after completing this course. 

2D Studio (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: 2D Explorations or Art Foundations with instructor recommendation)                         

022S       Full Year Credits: 12 Level: ACP

022F/SS    Semester        Credits: 6    Level: ACP

* 2D Studio is designed to give students space to explore topics of personal interest while using materials and methods learned in 2D Explorations.  Projects are structured yet open-ended for students to find unique solutions to various visual problems.  A student can choose to do an in-depth study of a medium or to try various media (e.g., charcoal, oil pastel, watercolor, colored pencils, ink, printmaking, etc.). Students can enroll in this course more than once. 

3D Studio (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: 3D Explorations or 3D Honors Art)

042S    Full Year Credits:12 Level: ACP 

042F/SS   Semester Credits: 6    Level: ACP

* 3D Studio builds on skills gained in previous courses.  Students develop and refine their individual artistic voices through three-dimensional sculptural media in self-directed explorations. Working with paper mache, wire, assemblage, found objects, and glass, students will be challenged to create sculptures that express concepts, narratives, and individual perspectives.  They will research the works of sculptors from different eras and cultures and create art that responds to what they observe.  Students can enroll in this course more than once. 

Ceramics Studio (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Ceramics Explorations or Honors Ceramics)

062S Full Year Credits: 12 Level: ACP 

062F/SS Semester Credits: 6    Level: ACP

* Ceramics Studio is designed to allow students to explore their own areas of interest while also working through guided assignments. The curriculum will focus on additional training in hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. This class requires more independent thought, creativity, and a willingness to explore how people use art to make meaning of their world. Students can enroll in this course more than once. 

Photography Studio (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Photography Explorations)

082S          Full Year       Credits: 12        Level: ACP       

082F/SS    Semester            Credits: 6         Level: ACP

* In Photography Studio, students will begin to use photography to explore the world in personal and expressive ways in each project. Projects will emphasize composition, camera techniques, and personal interests. Students will explore the work of contemporary photographers. Students will be required to photograph inside and outside of class. Students can enroll in this course more than once. 

Digital Arts Studio (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Media Explorations)

092F/SS  Semester        Credits:6    Level: ACP

* Media Arts Studio enables students with Media Lab experience to continue to build their creative repertoire using a range of offerings. Students can build on their existing software skills or explore new programs to acquire new skills. This course emphasizes creative problem-solving, visual communication, and artistic expression.  Media Arts Studio Honors focuses on developing expertise in one or more media and in learning how to integrate various media for the purpose of visual communication and expression. Projects can be individual or group-based in this student-driven curriculum. Students can enroll in this course more than once. Students may take Honors Media Arts after completing this course. 

Honors 2D Art (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: 2D Explorations)

025S Full Year Credits: 12 Level: H

* 2D Honors Art is a fun and structured full-year course for dedicated art students who are interested in refining their drawing and painting skills while focusing on the figure and learning abstraction. In-depth material investigations and a supportive environment enable students to express emotions, opinions, and complex ideas using visual language. The use of art terminology and critiques are also employed by students to discuss and improve their work. After this course, students will have a collection of work that explores their opinions and ideas, which will serve as a foundation for an art supplement portfolio.

Honors 3D Art (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: 3D Explorations or Art Foundations with instructor recommendation)

043S  Full Year      Credit: 12 Level: H

* Students will focus on expressing unique sculptural ideas and concepts, employing tools and techniques developed in previous courses. Media used in 3D Honors will range from found materials to metals, enamel, and glass. Projects will also vary in scale from personal objects to community installations. Through research and making, we will build connections between our own work and sculptors from different eras and cultures.

Honors Ceramics (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Ceramics Explorations or Ceramic Studio)

063S  Full Year Credit: 12 Level: H

* Honors Ceramics is an in-depth exploration of 3-D forms for advanced potters and hand-builders. Classwork will explore the historical evolution of 3-D forms and teach students how to manipulate clay to take on a personality of its own. By the end of the year, students will have a portfolio of advanced building and glazing techniques that explore advanced 3-D forms, narrative work, and conceptual work. One major homework project will be assigned each term.

Honors Photography (Grades 11-12. Prerequisite: Photography Studio)

083S          Full year          Credits: 12  Level: H

083F/SS   Semester       Credits: 6    Level: H

* Honors Photo is a faster-paced creative photography environment, allowing students to develop a more advanced knowledge of conceptual and aesthetic components of photography. Various alternative photography practices used in contemporary applications will be introduced. Students will be required to photograph outside of class and will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the school. 

Honors Digital Arts (Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Media Studio ACP)

0920F/SS    Semester Credits: 6 Level: H 

*  Honors Media Arts focuses on developing expertise in one or more media and learning how to integrate various media for the purpose of visual communication and expression. Projects can be individual or group-based in this student-driven curriculum. Students can enroll in this course more than once. Students must complete Media Lab Studio ACP to take an Honors level course. 

AP Studio Art: Drawing (Grades 11-12. Prerequisite: 2D Honors, Honors 3D, Honors Ceramics, Honors Media Arts, or instructor approval)

024S Full Year Credits: 12    Level: H

* AP Studio Art: Drawing is a challenging course intended for serious art students who wish to prepare a portfolio of artwork to submit with college applications and for students with an ongoing interest in art. The focus of this course is on the creation of a portfolio that reflects excellence in three parts: breadth of media usage, idea investigation, and overall quality. The creation of this portfolio is primarily student-driven and explores topics of personal interest respective to each student. While working in a supportive studio atmosphere on their portfolios, students learn how to critique art at an advanced level, professionally photograph their work, and organize and hang an exhibition of artwork.

AP 3D Design (Grades 11-12. Prerequisite: Any two Studio/Honors level 3D class or instructor approval)

044S   Full Year         Credit: 12     Level: H

* AP 3-D Design is the exploration of three-dimensional forms through a variety of media and emphasizes individual expression, deepening artistic practice and development of mastery in specific areas of art-making, including concept, composition, drawing, and design. Students enrolled in this course will build on existing art-making skills (students enrolling in AP Studio Art come from both Honors 3D and Honors Ceramics) as they further develop their personal artistic voice, problem-solving skills, and understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. Students will engage in individual and peer critiques and reflect on their art-making experiences to expand their visual thinking, develop skills, and participate in critical analysis. This course culminates in building an extensive portfolio. The AP exam is optional. 

AP Art History (Grades 11-12)

050S      Full Year          Credits: 12    Level: H

* AP Art History will introduce you to over 5,000 years of art and architecture.  In this course, students will explore the diverse artistic traditions of cultures from prehistory to the present, fostering an in-depth and holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students will develop and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of artworks in painting, sculpture, and architecture. This course emphasizes understanding works of art within their historical context by examining issues such as politics, class, religion, patronage, audience, gender, ethnicity, and utility.  Coursework includes some art-making opportunities but contains more essay writing and research projects than other art courses. It will prepare you to take the AP Art History exam (optional) and count towards the 12 credit requirement for History and/or Fine & Performing Arts credit.

2D Art Teaching Assistant (Grades 10-12 with instructor approval.)

3D Art Teaching Assistant (Grades 10-12 with instructor approval.)

Ceramics Teaching Assistant (Grades 10-12 with instructor approval.)

Photography Teaching Assistant (Grades 10-12 with instructor approval.)

Media Lab Teaching Assistant (Grades 10-12 with instructor approval.)

# Full Year Credit: 6 Level: P-F

# Semester Credit: 3 Level: P-F

# Quarter Credit:1.5 Level P-F

Prospective teaching assistants should speak with teachers in the fall about applying.