Art Electives

Throughout your four years in high school, you are required to take at least one class considered to be “in the arts.” You can take an assortment of classes that fall under the music or art categories to fulfill this. There are many classes that could interest students which will fulfill the art credit requirements, and not all of them are as well known as others.

Ken West offers a large selection of visual, digital, and even some Advanced Art courses for those who find themselves in this situation. If this applies to you, I got the chance to interview the teachers and students involved in these courses and got helpful input.

Miss Rubino is one of West's many amazing art teachers. She’s very talented and teaches courses such as Photography, Advanced Technical Art, and AP Visual Arts.

Photography (1 & 2)- Photography is a two-part course. Miss Rubino states that this class is “for anyone getting ready for photography. It helps train your eye to see things in a certain way.” Throughout the course, students learn  film photography, styles from the ’50s and ’60s, developmental styles, digital photography, the artistic process, and overall artistic themes. All together, this class is great for anyone interested in heightening their artistic senses and learning more about photography history and its process. I spoke with photography student Ahren Pavel about this course, “People who are interested in photography and definitely anyone who is skeptical about it, still give it a shot. It was a pretty interesting course.” Ahren also spoke about enjoying the stylistic opportunities the projects presented.

Advanced Technical Art is an “intensive course for dedicated students and full-blown artists,” according to Miss Rubino. Throughout the year, the students focus on building their art portfolios and exploring self-led projects. This all leads to the development of a personal artistic style and helps prepare for higher courses (IB or AP). Student Peter Claus took this course last year and is now enrolled in IB Art. He explained that he “loved the class. We all really bonded, it wasn’t too challenging and it let us work on stuff we personally like.”

AP Art is the next step up from Advanced, and it is one of the highest level art courses. AP Art students along with receiving high school art credits will also receive college credits for the completion of this course. During this elective, students will develop a highly thought-out 20-piece art portfolio under one theme. Miss Rubino states that this course is perfect for “very very dedicated art students.”

Mr. Tomasello is another one of West’s great art teachers. Not only is he very dedicated to art, but he’s also a very helpful, lighthearted teacher. He teaches Drawing & Painting, 3D Studio Sculpture, Studio Art, and IB Art.

Studio Art is a beginner-level art course. The course helps prepare students to move on to more advanced art electives and discover what they enjoy. Mr. Tomasello describes this course as “the basics” and “learning to use a variety of art materials.” This class is a great experience for anyone who wants to try their hand at art for the first time.

Drawing & Painting is the advancement of Studio Art. This course goes over different artistic techniques and mediums used to draw and paint. The students get to explore these aspects in directed projects and expand on their skills.

3D Studio Sculpture is a half-year course. During this time students explore “sculpture, building things, making things, using clay, and using a kiln,” says Mr. Tomasello. This is the closest class West has to ceramics and is great for students who enjoy more hands-on art. If you're interested in more three-dimensional art styles or practices, you should definitely consider this elective.

IB Art is another high-level art course West has to offer. It counts towards a higher level of college credit and can erase the need for an entry-level art class in your college years. Mr. Tomasello describes the class as consisting of a comparative study. This means comparing and contrasting two different artists with different backgrounds. Throughout the year we also work on creating bodies of work with a theme for an exhibition. We strive to document the process along the way.” This elective is definitely more vigorous. However, if you have a real, genuine passion for art, it's worthwhile.

Mrs. Allis (formerly Miss Michalek) is the wonderful teacher behind West's more technological art courses. This includes Graphic Design, Multimedia, Drawing & Painting, and Animation. Drawing & Painting (for animation) is a little different than the traditional. During this elective, they focus more on animation prepping, sketching, watercolor, and development. The students get to work with an extensive amount of digital platforms and“versatile mediums,” says Peter Claus, for drawing projects. Many students believe it is an easier selection than traditional ones due to the easy clean-up nature of tech-based programs. If you’re planning on taking any future digital art courses, this class is great prep for you. Graphic design is centered solely around “branding, logos, and practicing package design,” says Mrs. Allis. Students with an interest in the artistic side of advertisement and marketing will heavily enjoy this class's work.

2D & 3D Animation is a very popular technology-based art class. However, it also opens up the opportunity to try your hand at traditional 2D animation which is done in class on paper. The 3D animation is all done on computer-based programs. This course goes into depth on the 12 typical animation principles and will heighten your digital art skills to a new level. Mrs. Allis says this course is perfect for “kids who like cartoons and animations.” Student Elizabeth Heerdt believes that all together digital art classes are “really fun to work in. We get to learn about so many different computer programs.”

We are lucky to have such amazing courses for art here at West, and such creative students and talented teachers to keep them running. If you need the credit, enjoy art, or just want to try your hand at it, explore your options. Art has something for everyone.