Courses

The Perkiomen Valley Art Department prides itself on the future and career readiness that we strive to provide for our students. Through traditional and forward thinking methods of creating art, a growth mindset approach to learning, and a variety of opportunities made available throughout the year, PVHS artists are prepared for any type of higher learning art, a career in art, or simply involving art in their post high school lives.

COURSES

FOUNDATIONS OF ART

The foundation year in art provides you with a strong framework on which to build your art skills. The course concentrates on three main areas of art. First, there is a focused study of the elements and principles of design, as they relate to two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. There is an ongoing review of elements and principles, how to incorporate them into your work and how to analyze their use through the process of critique. The remaining areas of focus are drawing and painting, with an emphasis on realism and working from life. In these areas of study, you will use a variety of materials, learn new skills and techniques and improve previously learned skills.

This course is required for Studio Art I except if you successfully passed our Art Placement Test or Digital Photography.

studio art i

Studio Art I has observational drawing and painting as its primary focus. Students will be guided through a series of drawing problems that will address composition, value, use of pictorial space, rendering texture, light and perspective. Dry media, including charcoal and conte crayon will be utilized in a variety of ways as students explore technique and self-expression.
Historical and contemporary references will be introduced to supplement the studio experience. Students will explore painting in the second half of the year with the addition of color media including pastel and paint during which relationships, color mixing, and color as a means of expressing light are topics that will be explored. Instruction in technique as well as the study of artistic styles and movements will be included.

studio art ii

Studio Art II explores continued growth in observational drawing and painting as well as personal expression through creative visual and conceptual problem solving. Composition, perspective, line quality, value and color are stressed along with utilization of the design principles. Self-portraits, figure drawing and oil painting are featured units. Whereas Art Major I focused primarily on representational work, Art Major II also explores abstractions as a form of expression. Additional media are introduced as well. Historical reference is included whenever appropriate. Students are required to draw on a regular basis outside of class via regular homework drawings. Assignments address composition, technique, and creative thought. Preparation of the portfolio for art school admission is addressed. Careers in the arts are discussed and guest speakers are utilized when available.

ap art

Advanced Placement Drawing is an intensive art course comparable to a college level foundations course. Advanced concepts in drawing and painting will be addressed including a strong focus on design and composition. Students electing AP Drawing will be required to produce a portfolio of work to be submitted for Advance Placement evaluation. In addition to class assignments, a substantial amount of work is required outside of class. There will also be several summer drawing assignments to be completed before the start of school. A minimum of 15 works are required for the AP portfolio.
While the production of a body of work will be the primary focus of the class, there will also be a strong emphasis on critical and analytical thinking. Class critiques will be a vital component of the AP experience and students are expected to actively participate.Students will be required to produce a body of work that: a) demonstrates exploration across a breadth of artistic styles, subjects, techniques and concepts, and b) demonstrates a focused concentration of artistic vision while exhibiting mastery of technique. Students will be encouraged to take initiative and form their own personal artistic voice.

survey of art

This course is for the student who enjoys the basics of drawing, painting, and pen & ink and wishes to continue their skill and ability beyond Foundations of Art. As we uncover themes and units of identity, symbolism, fiber, crafts and watercolor, Art History and multiculturalism will be researched, discussed and incorporated. A strong emphasis will be placed on craftsmanship, idea generation and student written self-reflection.

ceramics i

This course explores the creative and technical aspects of working three-dimensionally in clay. Emphasis is placed upon the three hand-building techniques, sculpture and wheel-throwing. These techniques will be enhanced through an exploration of surface decoration. Cultural and Art history contexts are incorporated throughout the course. The elements and principles of design are reviewed and used as a basis for planning your projects and analysis in critique. There are out of class homework and drawing assignments.

cERAMICS II

This course is for the advanced Clay student who works well independently while desiring to explore Clay on a more advanced level beyond the first Clay level. Having an extensive knowledge on all three hand building techniques and wheel throwing, students will take their skills further as they creatively combine all techniques in crafting pieces that creatively solve problems or big ideas posed by the teacher.

graphic design I

This is a technology-based introductory art course in which you learn how to visually communicate ideas and an advanced drawing and design tool that will be used throughout the course. Students will learn how to use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. This course will also cover the basics of digital photography, including composition, capture and the importance of image resolution. Graphic design art history concepts will be incorporated as means to understand how images have been used throughout history to communicate ideas.

graphic design iI

Graphic Design II builds upon the basic design principles and skills that were developed during Intro to Graphic Design. This course will focus on the development of applied publication designs with industry standard software such as, but not limited to, the use of Adobe in Design, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. Students will continue to nurture their strengths in design by presenting formal elements of typography, color and idea generation in the context of design. Graphic Design I will also further enhance the student’s written processes, the development of professional attitudes and new approaches to problem solving.

digital photography

This class takes you beyond the basics of digital photography. It is designed to move you from taking photos, to creating photos. Topics: operation of camera’s functions such as but not limited to; flash, white balance, exposure, file formats, and resolution. This course will also cover the history of American Photography. Learn the importance of digital editing and enhancements while utilizing Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Basic computer experience and owning a camera that has the ability to photograph in the following shooting modes; (M) Manual, (A) Aperture Priority, and (S) Shutter Priority is required.

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