Class Syllabi & Expectations  

Art Fundamentals 

This elective course is designed to explore a variety of art mediums, skills and techniques to be able to create original and personal artworks.   The elements and principles of art will be presented as an organizational framework to help guide students through the process of making art. The course will provide students with lessons in the care and use of a variety of art-making media, approaches to art-making techniques, and vocabulary necessary to discuss, analyze, and critique their own and others' artwork.  Historical and Cultural references will be used to enhance a student’s knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of the art in our world.

Drawing & Painting

This studio-intensive course is designed to provide the student with opportunities to explore a variety of art mediums, skills, and techniques to be able to create original and personal artworks. Students will also gain an in-depth grounding in traditional and non-traditional approaches to drawing & painting, with an emphasis on studying the human figure. Students will continue to gain a more in-depth understanding of art elements and principles, emphasizing experimentation, skill-development, creative problem-solving,  and vocabulary necessary to discuss, analyze, and critique their own and others' artwork.  Historical and Cultural references will be used to enhance a student’s knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of the art in our world. 

Advanced Draw/Paint

This elective is designed to further instruct the art student with experiences in the proper use of a variety of different materials and to instruct them in additional drawing and painting techniques learned in the Draw/Paint class. Instruction includes contemporary, cultural and historical references as well as processes of criticism and evaluation. The advanced drawing and painting student will identify specific media and subject(s) of interest, and then work within those identified areas. Advanced students will also emphasize experimental techniques and multi-media approaches to artistic problems.  

Art Projects
This elective course is designed to challenge and encouraged students to question, explore, experiment and problem solve in different media.  Areas of personal interest (student voice) as well as new areas open for self-expression and exploration are encouraged. Reflective writing strengthens learning. This class supports and prepares the student in being successful and advancing their visual arts knowledge in AP Studio Art classes.

 AP Studio Art 

This exciting course is designed to provide the serious art student with an opportunity to pursue a specific area of interest in art, as well as expand his or her writing and visual arts skills in a variety of media. A final portfolio of 15 pieces based on one central investigation, and 5 quality pieces  will be submitted to the College Board for evaluation at the end of the school year. Please be sure to read the AP Drawing & 3D Syllabus links above for full descriptions of each course. 

Important Note

Projects for ALL CLASSES may differ from 'Course Outline' listings as some projects change from year to year.

All classes are year-long studio classes, and are sequentially designed to build on existing knowledge of art making skills and design concepts complimented by art history, theory, appreciation and criticism.  Students will improve their techniques in the mediums that they have previously explored, be introduced to new techniques and materials, and explore approaches to idea origination.