Visual Arts Department

Course Number(s): VA3521, VA3522, VA3523 

Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 10-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Completion of all visual arts courses in the student’s focus area (i.e. ceramics, painting, etc.)

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00 per trimester

This course will be offered every other year. Please plan accordingly. Offered 2024-2025.

This course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. Students will choose one of the following areas of study: 2-D Design, 3-D Design, or Drawing - corresponding to the most common college foundation courses. This class will encourage creative investigation of formal and conceptual issues, emphasize making art as an ongoing process that involves the students in informed and critical decision making, develop technical skills and familiarize students with the functions of the visual elements. Students taking this course are highly encouraged to submit their portfolio for evaluation to the AP Art & Design College Board in the spring and are responsible for the exam fee. Colleges may grant college credit depending on the student's score on the AP Art & Design portfolio review.

Course Number(s): VA3507 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This course introduces students to basic hand-building methods (pinch, coil and slab construction) and wheel thrown techniques through a variety of concepts and experiences. Students will learn surface designs, glazing techniques, tool safety, and about the operation of the kiln while developing an appreciation for disciplined work habits in the ceramics classroom.

Course Number(s): VA3508 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Ceramics 1

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This advanced course is for students who have experienced basic ceramic techniques and wish to develop a greater sense of mastery in the medium. Students will continue to work with clay using hand-building techniques and creating more complex forms on the potter’s wheel while experimenting with surface designs and glazes. Students will be expected to work at a more intensive individual level while creating more imaginative forms in a more challenging environment.

Course Number(s): VA3509

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Ceramics 1 & 2

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

The major emphasis of this course is to extend the student’s technical skills and conceptual approaches to the medium of clay. Students will study figure sculpture, abstract sculpture, and the potter’s wheel. Stress is on craftsmanship, discipline and originality. The course helps the students to further develop aesthetic criteria of the ceramic arts and to investigate potential vocational options. Students will document the development of their artistic style through sketchbook assignments.

Course Number(s): VA3510 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

You do not have to already know how to draw to register for this course! Areas of study include improving your “seeing” skills, experimenting with drawing media (pencil, marker, pastels, etc.) and using a variety of techniques to enhance your observational drawing skills.  

Course Number(s): VA3511 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Drawing 1

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

Students will expand the skills and creative ideas developed in Drawing 1 with an emphasis on the creative possibilities of media (charcoal, pen and ink, colored pencil, etc.). Creativity and refined quality in finished drawings will be expected. Both traditional and contemporary approaches will be discussed and applied in drawing problems that will incorporate portraiture and the human figure.

Course Number(s): VA3512 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

Students will explore contemporary and historical fiber arts, their design and processes, to create artwork using a variety of fibers.  Students will learn to dye fabrics, crochet or, and surface design techniques.  Functional and decorative artworks will be created. 

Course Number(s): VA3516 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

Students will develop knowledge of the art elements and principles of design and other vocabulary used to improve their painting skills. Students will use a variety of painting methods and materials (watercolor, tempera, and acrylic) to gain insight and experience with the unique qualities and technical skills involved with each type of media. Assignments are designed to help you gain skill and familiarity with using paint, brushes, and painting techniques.

Course Number(s): VA3517 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Painting 1

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This course will expand the techniques learned in Painting 1 to further enhance student’s painting skills while exploring new subject matter. Assignments are more conceptually based, using student’s own ideas and problem-solving skills. Exploration of themes, styles, and periods of art history, and artists who use them will be introduced. Students will use watercolor and acrylic paints as well as masonite, canvas boards or stretched canvas to complete their artwork. 

Course Number(s): VA3518 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity of creating a series of artworks utilizing a variety of printmaking processes; collagraphs, mono-prints, linoleum block printing, Gelli plate printing, and silk screening. Students will experiment with the technical aspects of each process and develop works of art that reflect their personal voice.

Course Number(s): VA3514 

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This course introduces students to the use of the computer as a design tool. Using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, students will apply digital techniques to create artworks combining text and imagery. Students will also learn to be creative and imaginative thinkers, able to solve problems quickly and decisively through design software.

Course Number(s): VA3515

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Graphic Design 1

Syllabus

In this course students will combine text and graphics using a computer to create attractive documents and publications. This class is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for students to use page layout software (Adobe InDesign), techniques and procedures to produce professional looking publications such as one page ads, poster designs, menus, and other print documents. Experience with Adobe Photoshop is helpful, but not required for this course. 

Course Number(s): VA3525

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): Graphic Design 1 and 2 OR Graphic Design 1 and Digital Drawing/Painting

Syllabus

*Art Fee: $10.00

This course introduces students to digital animation using the Adobe Character Animation and Adobe Animate programs. Students will develop characters, storylines, and learn the tools needed to create a digital short with sound effects and prepare video for online distribution. 

Course Number(s): BU3135

Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12

Course Type: Elective (Art Credit)

Prerequisite(s): None

Syllabus

* Must be able to provide your own camera

This trimester course introduces students to the digital camera as an art-making tool designed for students at the beginning level. The course will use digital photography to help students learn and apply the basic elements of art and the principles of design. This courses will also provide students with opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills in the field of photography and the use of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Digital Photography will familiarize the student with the digital photographic equipment, materials, methods, and processes. Visual problem solving skills are explored through the use of the computer as the main tool for creative expression and communication. Cellphone photography and editing with a variety of phone applications will be infused in the curriculum. Must be able to provide your own camera.