Welcome to LCHS Visual Arts! There are four streams that you can choose from after taking Art 10 (3 credits) in grade 10. You can choose to continue on with the Art program or focus on a specific program like Advanced Techniques in Drawing, Painting, or Ceramics.
Many of our options have course fees: Current Course Fees
ART
Art 10: 3 credits [0.5 blocks]
This 3 credit course covers fundamentals in drawing, painting, ceramics and more. Improve your foundational skills in these mediums! Art 10 is a prerequisite for all programs (Art, Drawing, Painting, and Ceramics) in visual arts at LCHS.[Sample Course Outline]
Art 20: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Art 10
This course offers a hands-on approach to art that will cover a range of art forms including drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Opportunity for practice to develop technical skill and personal expression is offered through studio projects. Students will explore the significance of the art of the past and present as it reflects and influences society.
Art 30: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Art 20
In this course you will work independently on projects that reflect your individuality in consultation with your teacher. You will create a portfolio of artworks that demonstrate technical proficiency and creative vision. You will analyze and relate contemporary works and major movements of the past century to your own personal practice.
Painting 15: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Art 10
Do you love to paint? In this locally developed painting course, you will explore artistic principles using a variety of painting techniques, tools, materials, and methods. Hands-on lessons and projects will include learning skills to develop and create a mural. Studio safety (including PPE and WHMIS) will be covered. Art of the past and present will be discussed as it relates to understanding how art reflects and influences society.
Painting 25: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Painting 15 or Art 10
You will continue to develop your knowledge of painting techniques, tools, materials and methods. Develop your creativity through projects designed to grow your ability to analyze and solve problems. You will have an opportunity to plan and create a mural during the course. Studio safety (including PPE and WHMIS) will be covered. Examine art of the past and present as it relates to visual concepts as well as your own work.
Painting 35: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Painting 25
Painting 35 is a self-directed course with an emphasis on developing your artistic voice, exploring advanced painting techniques, materials, and concepts. You will design and execute independent projects that challenge your technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Emphasis will be placed on personal expression and refining your artistic process. You will also engage in critical discussions, analyzing historical and contemporary artworks to inform your own practice. Opportunities for large-scale work, including mural projects, may be available. Studio safety protocols (PPE and WHMIS) will continue to be reinforced.
DRAWING
Drawing 15: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Improve your drawing skills in this introductory course! Learn new techniques as you test your hand at mediums like ink, charcoal, collage, watercolor, and printmaking. Still life drawings completed in this course can be used as evidence in skill-based portfolios required by many post-secondary Visual Arts programs including Interior Design, Landscape Design, Industrial Design, Animation, Architecture, and Fashion Design). [Sample Course Outline]
Drawing 25: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Drawing 15
Explore new techniques and mediums in this intermediate drawing course. Learn about the principles and elements of art and design, such as perspective and composition through project-based work. Project topics are diverse including drawing from the clothed model, objects you bring to class, or caricaturing the human face. You will have opportunities to develop still-life and (clothed) model drawings as evidence for post-secondary programs requiring a portfolio of drawing abilities.
Drawing 35: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Drawing 25 or Art 20
You will continue to develop your drawing skills in an independent environment. You will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and mediums and examine past and present art as it relates to your projects. Students considering entering post-secondary Visual Arts programs will have the opportunity to draw from the (clothed) model for portfolio requirements.
CERAMICS
Ceramics 15: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Ceramics 15 introduces you to the fundamentals of working with clay as you explore both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. You will learn essential studio skills, including tool use and maintenance, while developing your ability to shape forms that balance function and creativity. Through hands-on projects and reflection, you will begin to analyze and improve your work, gaining a deeper appreciation for ceramics as an art form.
DRAMA
The main goal for drama is for students to foster a positive self-concept as they explore life through movement, speech and improvisation. This art form allows a safe space for an imaginative exploration of different dramatic situations one may encounter, both fictional and nonfictional, the communication needed within them, and reflecting upon the consequences of them. Drama 10 is a prerequisite for all courses in the Drama discipline. After successful completion of Drama 10, students can then move onto Drama 20 and 30 as well as Technical Theatre and Leadership in the Arts at the teacher's discretion. These classes are all housed in the Theatre class.
Drama 10: 3 credits [0.5 blocks] or 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
This introductory course to drama is open to everyone and is an introduction to drama. Movement, speech, improvisation and technical theatre and design are studied in Drama 10. [Sample Course Outline]
Drama 20: 5 credits [1.0 blocks] Drama 30: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Drama 10
The disciplines of speech, improvisation, and technical theatre and design are carried forward from Drama 10. The discipline of acting is introduced in Drama 20 and expanded upon in Drama 30. Playwriting is focused on in Drama 20 while Drama 30 focuses on directing
Drama 30: 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Drama 20
In Drama 30, we continue to carry forward the disciplines from Drama 10 and 20 of speech, improvisation, acting, and technical theatre and design. The one discipline we introduce in Drama 30 is directing!
FILM STUDIES
Film Studies 15: 3 credits [0.5 blocks]
(Grade 10-12)
Film Studies 15 allows students the opportunity to explore and understand the use and impact of film media in modern society through social, cultural and historical factors. Students will use film as a means of constructing knowledge, understanding multiple perspectives, and communicating ideas through the creation of original work. Students will explore and assess the literary, dramatic and cinematic aspects of film and other visual media. This course will require the rigorous intellectual, technical and artistic engagement of students through the creation of visual and media based projects.
GENERAL MUSIC
Guitar 15 (General Music 10): 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
This is an introductory course in which students learn to read and play chord symbols, various strumming techniques, various finger picking techniques, and a variety of styles. This guitar course is student centered. The student is the primary driver of musical selections and direction. Upon successful completion of this course the student will have accomplished 10 songs and received the skills to successfully attempt many more. Guitars are available for rental through the instructor. (Students will receive credit in General Music 10 on their transcripts). [Sample Course Outline]
Guitar 25 (General Music 20): 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Guitar 15
This course is the continuation of Guitar 15. It builds on the concepts and skills learned in Guitar 15. Advanced concepts such as fingerpicking, arpeggios and song structure are examined. This course continues with the student choosing songs of high interest to support the concepts. (Students will receive credit in General Music 20 on their transcripts).
Guitar 35 (General Music 30): 5 credits [1.0 blocks]
Prerequisite: Guitar 25
This course is designed for the advanced guitar student who is interested in “in depth” study of guitar. The student can choose specific areas of study such as: public performances, ear training and of course the continued study of the guitar itself. Topics such as song theory, proper tone/fingering, chord theory, scales/modes and how to use them are covered on a much deeper and applicable level. (Students will receive credit in General Music 30 on their transcripts).