Visual Arts
Fine Art
DRAWING, PAINTING, PRINTMAKING, and SCULPTURE
AVI 1O - Grade 9 Art
AVI1O is an introductory course to visual arts, allowing students to learn techniques and gain experience in drawing (focus on pencil techniques, shading, and portraits), painting (focus on acrylics, colour mixing, and shading), and creative sculpture. We cover the elements and principles of art in detail to provide a solid foundation for creative composition and art analysis. We explore the concept of art as an expression of identity. We cover early art history, looking at prehistoric art and ancient art from around the world; we explore how art has evolved but also how early art works have influenced modern pieces. The major focus of this course is on creating art and learning through doing and making. There is no exam. Any student can do well in this course, especially those with a growth mindset (“How can I keep improving?”), and those who are excited to enhance their skills as developing artists. Students who are successful in AVI1O may move ahead continue with AVI2O, or skip ahead to AVI3M.
AVI 2O - Grade 10 Art
AVI2O is a foundational course that covers similar concepts to AVI1O but through different projects (either grade 9 art and grade 10 art are prerequisites for grade 11 art). There is no prerequisite for AVI2O, so some students in AVI2O are brand new artists, while others have experience from grade 9 art. Each student is encouraged to work at their own level, and projects are designed to enhance students’ knowledge, technique, and creativity regardless of their starting level. Grade 10 art covers drawing (focus on pen techniques, shading, and still life), painting (focus on watercolour, colour mixing, colour schemes, and mixing media), and creative sculpture. We learn about ancient manuscript art from the medieval period, and we look at Indigenous Canadian art and consider connections to Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The major focus of this course is on creating art and learning through doing and making. There is no exam. Any student can do well in this course, especially those with a growth mindset (“How can I keep improving?”), and those who are excited to enhance their skills as developing artists. Students who are successful in AVI2O may move ahead to AVI3M.
AVI 3M - Grade 11 Art
AVI3M builds on the foundational skills learned in AVI1O and/or AVI2O (students must have one of these courses as a prerequisite to AVI3M); students should enter the course with some confidence in drawing and painting, as well as an understanding of the creative process and the critical analysis process. In Grade 11 art we build upon prior drawing skills by looking at gesture/figure drawing, focusing on proportional relationships, expressive gestures, and interesting angles. Students build on our painting skills and understanding of perspective and composition through landscape/cityscapes. Students build on their knowledge of art history by learning about artworks from the Renaissance, Neoclassical, and Romantic periods. While the major focus of this course is on creating art and learning through doing and making, students also learn to describe and discuss art at a higher academic level. There is no exam. Students who succeed in this course are those with a genuine interest in art, in learning from the work of others to inspire and inform their work, and in constantly improving their skill; they are creative and like to think outside the box. Students who are successful in AVI3M will be well prepared for AVI4M.
AVI 4M - Grade 12 Art
AVI4M allows students with significant knowledge and skill in visual arts to hone their craft and claim artist voice and expression in their work. AVI3M (grade 11 art) is a prerequisite for this course, as students will be using their favourite media to create projects, and will need to be able to work fairly independently in that medium of their choice. Projects are largely theme based and allow students to explore media of their choice (students may focus on one medium for the entirety of the course, or may continue to work in a variety of mediums). Projects push students to push their creative boundaries to establish a strong artistic identity. Those applying to post secondary visual arts programs generally use classwork to build their application portfolios. Students will lead art history seminars covering the Modern and Postmodern periods, looking at the development of contemporary art techniques and messaging, and exploring art as a tool for social justice. Successful students are creative, independent, self-directed, and excited to continue honing their skills.
Photography, Film & Media
AwQ2O - Gr. 10 Photography
AWQ2O is an introductory course to photography. Students will be using film cameras for assignments and developing their work in the darkroom. They are invited to bring their own camera or loan one from the school. Students will learn about the history of photography, darkroom safety and techniques, the importance of proper exposure, and how to take a stunning photograph. Students will develop their photographic eye, study various genres throughout photo history, and have a lot of fun experimenting with the magic of photography!
There is no exam in this course- only exciting culminating activities that push you to create beautiful pieces!
ASM2O - Gr. 10 Media Arts
ASM2O is designed to give students an introduction to the tools, techniques, and practices of Art in Mass Media and popular culture. Students will look at the similarities and differences between the fine arts and media arts, with a focus on the analysis and critique of media and media art in contemporary society. Students will be introduced to the basic tools of new media: animation, digital photography (Photoshop), and digital video (iMovie).
gr10 MediaArts.movAwQ3M - Gr. 11 Photography
AWQ3M is a foundational course in photography and it builds on what students have learned in AVI2O or AWQ2O. Students will learn the rules of composition and demonstrate their understanding of them by implementing them in their own photography. They will learn how to use the various functions of a film camera and digital SLR camera and will understand the correlation between shutter speed, aperture and iso. Students are invited to bring their own camera or loan one from the school. Students will gain editing skills in programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom as well as familiarizing themselves with file types, resolution and basic computer skills. Students will be producing various works in a multitude of genres in which they will be asked to communicate a context and message with their photography in written statements or class critiques. There is no exam in this course- only exciting culminating activities that push you to create beautiful pieces and a strong portfolio!
AwR3M - Gr. 11 Film
This course will further develop the knowledge and skills that enable students to communicate ideas, feelings and beliefs through the artistic medium of film and video. Through the critical analysis process, students will appreciate the vision of important Canadian and international directors, filmmakers and artists. Through the creative process students will be encouraged to discover their own unique vision as an artist and film maker.
Animation
TGI3/4M ANIMATION COURSE
INTENTION
This course is intended to introduce Grade 11 / 12 students to the theory and practice of animation as used in commercial productions as well as more independent projects.
OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate both a knowledge of the history of and fundamental principles of animation, as well as the ability to create an animation using a variety of platforms and formats, from 2-D animation including pixilation to 3-D modeling and animation using industry-recognized 3-D animation software.
DELIVERY METHODS
Course content will be delivered in class using a variety of delivery methods, from online tutorials to hands-on demonstrations and workshops. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of animation through a series of online tutorials, then emulate them in a set of practical assignments using animation software. The core method is teacher-led direct instruction supported by online tutorials, then follows a gradual release-of-responsibility model as students become familiarized with the animation techniques and fundamental principles to include peer-to-peer learning. Assignments will be a combination of individual and group-based activities.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum will cover the fundamental principles of animation - eg exaggeration, squash and stretch, anticipation and timing; fundamentals of weight and volume; training in specific techniques of animating in 2-D and 3-D, as well as in pre-production techniques - planning, drafting and animatics; the use of camerawork, staging, and sound work together with the fundamentals of visual storytelling. Design principles will also be taught, especially with reference to both character design and character work. In addition, career pathways will be introduced with an emphasis on interactive video games.
The curriculum expectations will mirror those of the regular TGJ4M course in terms of evaluative structure.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
AWQ2M1, AWQ3M1, AWR3M1, TGJ3/4M, TGG3/4M or additionally TGJ2O or other equivalent experience with teacher permission.