Course Information
All students must earn .5 credit of art in order to graduate. Each art course listed on this page is a semester long, and earns .5 credit once completed.
It is important to note that Color and Design is a prerequisite for other art courses. Some exceptions have applied throughout the years- talk with an art teacher if you have questions!
ADVANCED ART I – AR1071
Grades 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design and Drawing & Painting I
This course is intended for upperclassmen with a strong interest in art who wish to develop their skills and stylistic interests over a range of art media and combinations of techniques. Students will explore mixed media, printmaking and relief sculpture. The latter part of the semester focuses on creating a series of work based on a theme and art medium of the student’s choosing. Sketchbook assignments as well as formal and informal discussions of the work of contemporary artists will also be a regular part of the course.
ADVANCED ART II – AR1072
Grades 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Advanced Art I
This course is a continuation of Advanced Art I. Students will focus on developing skills in a variety of art media and producing work appropriate for a portfolio. Students taking both semesters of Advanced Art may work toward submitting a portfolio for AP Studio Art credit. Students will also develop a greater understanding of career options in the arts and the process for pursuing further study in art beyond high school.
CERAMICS I – AR1021
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design strongly recommended
This course introduces students to basic construction techniques and skills with clay. Students will combine hand building (pinch, coil and slab) and wheel throwing techniques to create visually interesting forms. Students will also have the opportunity to express themselves by manipulating and altering three dimensional forms. The exploration of basic surface decoration and embellishment techniques will be developed. Students will have opportunities to critically analyze their own work as well as the work of peers.
CERAMICS II – AR1032
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Ceramics I
This is for the student who wants to explore in depth the basic skills and techniques learned in Ceramics I. Projects are designed to extend students’ knowledge of the four main construction techniques, utilizing them individually and in combination to express a personal aesthetic style. Students will refine throwing techniques to create such forms as tea pots, sets, and combination pieces. Students will also explore more advanced surface decoration techniques and engage in greater experimentation with tools and materials.
COLOR & DESIGN – AR1001
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Color and Design is an introductory level course designed to develop visual problem-solving skills and an understanding of the elements and principles of design. This course provides the foundation of concepts for future studies in art. A variety of media and processes will be explored such as drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture.
DRAWING AND PAINTING, I – AR1011
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design
Observation is the basis for drawing and painting. Learning to draw is to a large degree learning to see. This course focuses on developing observational skills with the expectation that these skills will ultimately yield greater creativity. Through projects done in class as well as outside assignments, students will see marked improvement in their drawing skills as well as gain useful knowledge of a variety of painting and drawing media. In addition to work from observation, students will develop imagery from imagination and other sources. Students will also develop an understanding of how their own work relates to the larger traditions from art history.
DRAWING AND PAINTING II – AR1092
Grades 11, 12 or teacher rec. Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting I
The primary focus of this course is to build on the basic drawing and painting skills learned in Drawing & Painting I and to extend students’ knowledge of art concepts and media. Students will work from observation as well as on more abstract concepts. Students will develop their awareness of light, line, texture, form, value and color as they work to refine their creative interests. Typical materials that students will work with include oil paints, acrylic, charcoal, graphite and mixed media. An emphasis will be placed on gaining greater understanding of composition and developing imagery to convey meaning and expression.
HOUSING AND INTERIOR DESIGN – AR2001
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit This course allows students to use their creativity while applying the elements and principles of design to the exciting world of interiors. Students will work with floor plans, color schemes, textures, fabrics, window treatments, home furnishings and accessories in individual projects. Students will gain knowledge about the different types and styles of housing that are available, and about the influences that shape our housing history. Architectural design features and furniture styles, as well as factors influencing housing choices, will be explored. Utilizing knowledge and skills gained, students will create 3-D model rooms, floor plans and design boards, as well as redesign rooms, for a variety of home interiors.
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN – AR1083
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design
Students will learn the basic software, tools and techniques used by graphic designers and illustrators all over the world. Projects provide opportunities for a variety of creative responses while teaching skills in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. A strong emphasis is placed on developing skills in composition through an awareness of the elements of art and principles of design. Assignments range from illustration to photographic editing and manipulation to logo and graphic design.
METALWORKING AND JEWELRY, I – AR1041
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design
Students who have successfully completed this course will have mastered basic metalworking techniques of direct fabrication. This includes soldering, annealing, reticulation, fusing, cutting, forming, forging, polishing and cabochon stone setting. They will have developed an understanding of the proper use of metalworking tools and equipment. Students will explore their creativity through projects ranging from rings, earrings, bracelets, and belt buckles to small metal sculpture. Assignments emphasize creative problem-solving and an understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. Students must also be able to critically analyze their own work and the work of others.
METALWORKING AND JEWELRY II – AR1102
Grades 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Metalworking and Jewelry I
Students will work on expanding and refining direct fabrication skills and developing a personal style in their work. Students will be introduced to hollow form, etching, enameling, and alternative methods of metal manipulation. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving. In addition to hands on work with metal, students will also demonstrate their learning through brief written assignments and a variety of formal and informal critiques. Students will expand their knowledge of contemporary studio practices and careers for metalsmiths.
PHOTOGRAPHY I – AR1061
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design STRONGLY recommended
Upon completion of this course, students will have mastered the technical aspects of basic black and white photography and darkroom processes, in addition to looking at the various forms of picture making throughout history. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the quality of light and light sensitive materials by using a Pinhole Camera, Medium Format and 35mm manual SLR cameras, as well as an introduction to Digital Photography and Photoshop manipulation. Students will shoot and develop their own black and white negatives as well as produce black and white prints. An emphasis will be placed on composition and the photographic rule of thirds. Students will be able to explain appropriate photographic terms and to recognize various images from their study of the history of photography. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to mount and mat prints for display as well as to critique their work in verbal and written form.
PHOTOGRAPHY II – AR1122
Grades 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Photography I
This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in Photography I. Students will engage in refining traditional photographic composition and camera skills while demonstrating use of processes such as digital enhancements and flatbed scanning. Students will explore advanced use of digital photography techniques and applications using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Emphasis on contemporary styles in portrait, documentary, commercial, and abstract subject matter will prepare students to create a final portfolio project. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the rule of thirds and principles of design by producing prints of high artistic quality. Students will identity important developments in photography through history as well as analyze their own work in both a verbal and written format.
SCULPTURE- AR1033
Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester 1/2 Credit Prerequisite: Color & Design STRONGLY recommended
In this class, students will manipulate and utilize a variety of materials to develop aesthetically pleasing three dimensional forms that explore the space around us, making literal and symbolic connections with our three dimensional world. Form, volume and space relationships will be explored as students create functional, non functional and conceptual sculptures. Students will be involved in planning, revising and reflecting processes to develop their work and convey meaning. A variety of different construction techniques including assemblage, relief, kinetic, and figure sculptures will be explored, as well as a variety of current digital technologies as creative tools to produce work. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how artists have used sculpture as a means of communication and expression throughout history.
Advanced Placement Art and Design
Grades 11, 12 One Year 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Color and Design or Intro to Digital Art. Students strongly encouraged to have completed additional coursework in art (e.g., Drawing & Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography) prior to taking this course.
This course is intended to be a college level introductory art course in which students will engage in intensive and sustained work investigating materials, processes, and expression. Students will be expected to work inside and outside of the classroom and beyond scheduled periods. Homework, such as maintaining a sketchbook or a journal, supports the depth of learning expected of AP students.
Each student in the course will produce a high-quality portfolio of work consistent with the AP Art and Design framework. Students will have an option of selecting between the three ‘tracks’ within the AP program: 2-D Design, Drawing, or 3-D Design. These portfolios will reflect a high level of skill in a variety of art media as well as reflecting the students’ individual interests and personal artistic style. Students will have the option of submitting these portfolios for AP credit. (Students in this course may have the opportunity to earn college credit through the Running Start Program. Approved annually.)