Visual Arts
NSS Northern Lights Art Show.movVisit our website to see more amazing student work!
overview
Northern has a strong history of providing rigorous, rich visual arts programming for students in all grades. In addition to our comprehensive courses, we offer focus courses in drawing and painting, life drawing (including live models), digital design, as well as full year ceramics. In grade 9, we follow the Indigenous Art and Culture curriculum (NAC1O1).
In our courses, students have opportunities to learn a wide range of artmaking techniques, including drawing and painting using a variety of media, printmaking, ceramics, and digital art platforms such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. They also explore a range of important art and design movements, as learn about many artists from a wide variety of backgrounds.
As a department, we foster and promote the development of individual style. We provide our students with a strong foundation in traditional skills, and encourage them to use this as a platform to explore and experiment with a wide range of artmaking possibilities. We invite them to engage in artmaking as a social, political and personal form of expression in response to individual experiences and the complexities and conflicts of the world we live in
Course Listings
9NAC/AVI - Indigenous Art & Culture, Visual Art foundation - Learn about Indigenous artmaking techniques and styles, as well as Indigenous culture and issues - both past and present - while getting a strong foundation in art skills such as drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture.
Course Code: NAC1O1/AVI1O1
AVI Visual Arts (Comprehensive) - Create realistic and abstract artworks using acrylic, water-soluble oils, watercolour, graphite, charcoal, coloured pencil and pastels. Learn etching and lino printmaking and explore different materials such as clay, wire, wood and recycled items to create 3D artworks.
Course Codes: AVI2O1, AVI31, AVI4M1
AWC Ceramics - Learn how to create functional and sculptural ceramic pieces, including plates, bowls, mugs, vases, boxes, chess sets, tea pots, and have fun on the pottery wheel.
Course Codes: AWC2O1, AWC3M1, AWC41
AWD Design (Graphic) - Learn to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Projects include illustration, branding, logo design typography, poster creation and screen printing. Compete for the cover of the yearbook, agenda and commencement ceremony.
Course Codes: AWD2O1, AWD3M1, AWD4M1
AWL Life drawing - Learn techniques to draw live models and a variety of natural objects (highly recommended for portfolio development for those going into fine arts, animation and graphic design).
Course Codes: AWL2O1, AWL3M1, AWL4M1
AWM Drawing and Painting - Learn how to Develop your own style and enjoy many self-directed projects with the medium and subject matter of your choice, including acrylic, water-soluble oils, watercolour, graphite, charcoal, coloured pencil, pastels and ink. AWM Drawing and Painting - Learn how to Develop your own style and enjoy many self-directed projects with the medium and subject matter of your choice.
Course Codes: AWM2O1, AWM3M1, AWM4M1
Co-curricular Connections
Extra-Curricular: Art Club, Ceramics Club, Mural Club, Screenprinting Club
Co-Curricular: Annual Northern Lights Student Art Show, TDSB Creates Program and Exhibition, Artspace Student Exhibition
Field trips and Guest Artists happen throughout the year
**Many opportunities for Community Service developed through the Art Department
Links & media
Visual Art Department Website: