All students must take and pass a Fine Arts course (music or art) for graduation. Those who are planning advanced studies in art, as well as those who are interested in art as a source of income, personal development or academic enrichment, will find educational opportunities available to them. Instruction in all courses builds solid technical skills on a foundation of the principles of design. Students may sample an art discipline through an introductory level class, or explore a medium in depth through advanced level courses.
ART Art and Ideas (Grade 12)
Art and Ideas will train students in visual art skills through studio practice and an exploration of art history and theory. Art develops actively within historic contexts. This course examines these developments by uncovering their history and learning the practice of art forms from around the world. Students can expect history and theory to be balanced with studio art components. At the end of this course, students will have a working understanding of movements throughout art history and a working reservoir of visual art skills.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART (Grades 11 and 12)
The AP Art and Design course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art and have expressed an interest in completing the AP Drawing or the AP 2-D Art and Design coursework Course work is evaluated based upon the standards determined by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Following submission of their portfolio, students curate, prepare and hang their artwork in an exhibit or Group Show towards the middle of May. Through studio practice, application of design concepts and informed decision making, these students will assemble a body of artwork that demonstrates a high level of quality and growth, over time, in content, technique, and process. Course requirements include an after-school seminar held monthly to allow students an opportunity to talk to artists, critique their work as a group, visit galleries, museums and other studios.
ART APPRECIATION AND PRACTICE (Grades 9-12)
Students will explore prehistoric through modern art in order to experience personal growth, to better understand the role of art in society, and to apply their knowledge of the art world when developing their own artwork. Through journaling, projects, and written assessment, this class will give students the ability to understand how art makes an impact on critical thinking, see its effects in action on the world stage, and grasp how art shapes the kind of media that they encounter on a daily basis. In addition to using art as a way of understanding the changing temperament of societies, students will be trained in specific techniques and media.
COMPREHENSIVE ART I (Grades 9-12)
The course is designed for students who are interested in learning more about traditional materials (pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, oil pastels, pastels, acrylic paint, and colored pencil. Areas of concentration are drawing, painting, and printmaking. Students will learn techniques, tools, and applications that will enable them to develop a body of work that expresses their unique responses to open ended, creative projects. It encourages experimentation balanced with the more guided development of technical skills with specific art materials. The course also offers exposure to art history and how to understand and discuss works of art that you may have never seen before.
COMPREHENSIVE ART II (Grades 10-12)
This is an in depth continuation of Comprehensive Art I. Students will expand their knowledge about art making with more emphasis on individual expression and creative approach. In addition to improving their drawing and design skills, students will create art requiring personal interpretation and exploration. Assignments are designed to address art themes and topics through drawing, painting (acrylic and oil), printmaking (silkscreen and intaglio), collage, design, and mixed media. The art experiences in Comprehensive Art II have both fine and commercial art applications.
COMPREHENSIVE ART III (Grades 11-12)
This course is for students who have taken Comprehensive Art II and who have identified art as an area in which they have strength and abundant interest. Some students taking this course are beginning a process for developing an art portfolio for art school and/or college admission. A wide range of two-dimensional art materials will be explored in a structured studio setting. Artistic independence will be encouraged with opportunities to visit museums and galleries and Artist Open Studios.
COMPREHENSIVE ART IV (Grade 12)
The production and preparation of artwork for the student portfolio is the primary involvement for many Comprehensive Art IV students in the first semester. This complements the work begun in Comprehensive Art III. The emphasis for each project is on the exploration of ideas and experimentation with art materials. The course includes visits to museums and galleries, and Artist Open Studios.
DRAWING I (Grades 9-12)
Through a series of projects that involve both observation and imagination, students will learn how to draw more effectively. Students study a variety drawing techniques requiring the development of essential coordination of the hand, eye, and mind. Students will become familiar with different drawing media. The class will engage in group reflections to better understand what makes a drawing successful.
DESIGN I (Grades 10-12)
Students are introduced to and will apply the elements of art design (line, shape and mass, texture, color, value, and space) while exploring the principles of contrast, unity and variety, balance, proportion and scale, movement, and figure/ground relationships. The class will teach students skills that can be used to further their Design journey and/or apply to their everyday lives.
CERAMICS I (Grades 9-12)
Ceramics uses the medium of clay to create work that is both functional and sculptural. All methods of hand-building are taught in-depth. Instruction is offered in a wide variety of ceramic painting techniques using both glazes and under-glazes. Projects will focus on design, visual symbolism, and imagination. Students will be asked to reflect on their values, creative development and contemporary issues throughout the process of developing their work.
CERAMICS II (Grades 10-12)
Ceramics II is for students who have a serious interest in creating functional and sculptural work out of clay. Students will further develop the technical skills established in Ceramics I as they create work that reflects issues of personal and societal importance. In addition to the elements and principles of design will be stressed in all projects. Students enrolled in Ceramics II will also work with the potter’s wheel and explore high fire materials.
CERAMICS III (Grades 11-12)
Ceramics III is an independent study class for students who have a serious interest in Ceramics. Ceramic III students will identify a central motif or concept they wish to explore in-depth, either functional or sculptural, and then create a portfolio quality body of work that demonstrates mastery of technique, breadth of ideas, and development of design concepts. A portfolio of work meeting requirements for college admission will result from this class.
SCULPTURE I (Grades 9-12)
This course is an investigation of creating form in three dimensions, with an emphasis on experimentation. The class is designed to challenge students to take artistic risks in a variety of media. Students will have the opportunity to sculpt and build imaginatively, developing expression and skill. They will gain a working knowledge of materials and processes, while exploring significant social, political, historic and personal issues using their own creative voices.