Visual Arts

Prerequisite:  none

A half-year course designed to teach students the basics of Photoshop.  Students will use Adobe Photoshop software and digital cameras to develop the skills of cropping, editing, and manipulating computer images.  The purpose of the course is to provide students with the conceptual framework necessary for the production of fine and graphic art via the computer.

Prerequisite:  Beginning Photoshop.

A half-year course designed to teach students introductory and advanced skills with Adobe Photoshop. Students will use Adobe Photoshop software and digital cameras to develop the skills of editing, effects and manipulating digital images. The purpose of the course is to provide students with the conceptual framework necessary for the production of fine and graphic art via the computer.

Prerequisite:  None

Ceramics 1 is an introductory course focusing on materials, tools and the three main construction methods; pinching, coil and slab. Emphasis is placed on the elements of art and principles of design and their relevance in visual communication. Students will create both functional and non-functional pottery as well as clay sculptures. The goal is for students to focus on technical, historical, aesthetic and cultural concerns while developing their own personal and artistic style.

Prerequisite:  Ceramics 1

Ceramics 2 builds on the skills mastered in Ceramics 1 with an emphasis on concepts and effective communication using materials, tools and construction techniques correctly. The elements of art and principles of design are critical in communicating visually. Students will create a variety of ceramic pieces including both functional and nonfunctional. The goal is for students to focus on developing their own personal and artistic style, taking into account technical, historical, aesthetic and cultural concerns.

Prerequisite:  Ceramics 1 and 2 or Ceramics 1 and permission from the instructor based on portfolio review.

Ceramics 3 builds on the skills mastered in Ceramics 2 while working to become more independent. The focus is on effectively communicating concepts using materials, tools and construction techniques correctly while considering the elements of art and principles of design to communicate visually. Students will create a variety of ceramic pieces including both functional and nonfunctional. The goal is for students to focus on developing their own personal and artistic style, taking into account technical, historical, aesthetic and cultural concerns.

Prerequisite:  Studio Art and/or permission from the instructor based on portfolio review.

ECE Drawing 1 is a course for the serious art student and requires a  completion of a successful portfolio.  Instruction and assignments build upon previous experience in Foundations in Art & Studio Art.  Predominantly a course on drawing, the student will also be offered opportunities to develop more personal and mature approaches to problems in his/her area of interest. Exposure to traditional and contemporary drawing concepts will be emphasized. 

This course affords the student the opportunity to register for the University of Connecticut’s ART 1030: Drawing I course through our Early College Experience program and earn 3 college credits. Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive UCONN credit. These credits are transferable to other colleges.  Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisites:  None

In this course students will develop their creativity, craftsmanship and problem solving skills in two-dimensional and some three-dimensional designs. An emphasis will be placed on the elements of art and principles of design and their relevance in visual communication. A variety of art materials will be used to express concepts and communicate ideas.  Students may take this course for two semesters earning .5 credit for each semester.  

Prerequisites - Studio Art and/or ECE Drawing 1 (and or AP Studio Art). Alternatively, a portfolio review may be conducted by the Fine Art Department to gain admittance to the course.

This course introduces drawing strategies, concepts, and specialized illustration techniques used by designers and illustrators. Students create illustrations in both traditional and digital formats. Emphasis is on realistic modeling approaches and rendering skills, as well as expressive and historical perspectives that an illustrator-designer must have.

Prerequisites – Illustration Concepts 1.  Alternatively, a portfolio review may be conducted by the Fine Arts Department to gain admittance to the course.

This course continues progress from Illustration Concepts 1 by developing drawing strategies, concepts, and specialized illustration techniques used by designers and illustrators. Students create illustrations in both traditional and digital formats. Emphasis is on realistic modeling approaches and rendering skills, as well as expressive and historical perspectives that an illustrator-designer must have.   

Prerequisite:  Approval by the Art Department, School Counselor and School Psychologist is required if you are interested in serving as a peer helper. This course can be taken as an additional elective for 11th and 12th graders.

This course is designed to provide students who have strong visual art skills the opportunity to educate, coach and facilitate visual artistic skills to provide an opportunity for students with significant special education needs to explore a variety of art making tools, materials and techniques. This course will give students with significant special education needs the opportunity for meaningful inclusion in a less restrictive environment while preparing students without disabilities for careers in the education and/or social services fields.

Prerequisite:  None

Jewelry 1 is an introductory class to metalsmithing that focuses on the proper use of tools, materials and techniques with an emphasis on the elements of art and principles of design. Students will work with copper, brass and ultimately silver learning to fabricate unique pieces of jewelry using a variety of techniques including cutting, piercing, forming, soldering and finishing. The goal is for students to focus on technical, aesthetic and cultural concerns while developing their own personal and artistic style.

Prerequisite:  Jewelry 1

Jewelry 2 builds on the skills mastered in Jewelry 1 with an emphasis on the elements of art and principles of design. Students will work with copper, brass and silver while further exploring metalsmithing. The goal is for students to focus on developing their own personal and artistic style while taking into account technical, historical, aesthetic and cultural concerns.

Prerequisite: None

This studio course will concentrate on fundamental and advanced techniques of drawing, painting and 3-dimensional design. This course offers the building block to a successful art portfolio. Continued study is offered in the areas of visual arts design, fine arts and applied arts, as well as art appreciation. 

Prerequisite:  Studio Art , ECE Drawing 1 or permission from the instructor based on portfolio review.

Advanced Placement Studio Art is a course designed to assist students in the preparation of a comprehensive portfolio of artwork.  Students will be responsible for completing several independent assignments outside of class time.  Only extremely motivated college bound students should enroll in this course.  At the conclusion of the course, students are required to submit their portfolio for Advanced Placement credit.  *Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam, which for this course is a portfolio submission.  AP exam will be ordered for all students who are in an AP class on Nov. 15th.  and a $40 unused exam fee will be applied to anyone who drops the AP courses after Nov. 15th.

Prerequisite:   1) Recommendation from Instructor & Approval by Career Center.  2) Independent Study is only available to students who have successfully completed ALL of the courses offered at Plainville High School in a particular subject area, as outlined in the program of studies.

Juniors and seniors who have a specific career path in mind, have a unique opportunity to earn high school credit and participate in a career focused internship through the Plainville High School Fieldwork Experience Program.  An internship provides invaluable real-world experience, grows knowledge in a professional setting, develops crucial soft skills, and builds a network that can significantly enhance future career opportunities.

Students will partner with a local business, organization or professional in a capacity that aligns with their future goals. Student participants will complete 60 hours (approximately 5 hours per week) of internship related work requirements over the course of a high school semester.  The students will be responsible for transportation to and from the internship site.

The success of the internship program relies on a collaborative partnership involving the student, the school, and community professionals. The active involvement of student interns significantly influences these relationships.  Therefore, elevated expectations are in place to foster the enhancement of the partnerships. The program requires students to show initiative, follow through, and a high level of professional behavior.  

Review the expectations for an internship.  If you feel you are a good candidate for this course, meet with Mrs. Bradley in the Career Center to discuss the possibilities.