Visual Art

DIGITAL ART & ANIMATION - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: (Prerequisite: Freshman Students must take General Art. 10-12 General Art recommended but not required). Students will draw, paint, design, and animate on the computer. They will develop an understanding of the elements and principles of art and apply these to their work. Students will create their art with these computer art programs; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe In-Design, and Adobe Flash. Students will use computer graphics tools to create their art. Among these tools are scanners, digital cameras, cellphones, and drawing tablets. Students will be able to use artistic language to critique and describe their art and the art of others. (ST# 05169A000) 

MIXED MEDIA - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Mixed Media class covers diverse areas such as drawing, calligraphy, mosaics, weaving, paper arts, jewelry, painting, paper mache, three-dimensional works, ceramics, textiles, basket making, printmaking and silk screen.  Artworks created in mixed media require persistent effort. Students who take this class should have a desire to work with materials and processes to solve problems and create artifacts. Most materials will be provided. Processes are taught through teacher demonstrations, student demonstrations, expert video tutorials, and guest artists. Each unit begins with research and investigation. The artworks that are the inspiration for these projects have historical roots and contemporary traditions that we will investigate by creating inspiration boards. Students will complete several projects; among them may be a book, cube, bowl, relief print, small sculptures or jewelry, marbled papers, monoprints, a hand-lettered poster, and tie-dyed fabric. Prerequisite: Freshman students must take General Art. General Art recommended but not required for 10-12th graders. (ST# 05165A000)

DRAWING & PAINTING 1 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: . This course is for students who love to draw and wish to practice and improve their artmaking skills and personal voice. Students will use drawing materials such as pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, ink, oil pastels and chalk pastels, as well as painting media; such as watercolors, gouache and acrylics. Students will keep a sketchbook throughout the year and will develop design thinking skills and the ability to work with the elements and principles of art. Students will create original works of art, reflect on their work, and respond to the work of others. Students will study art and artists and their influences on history and culture. Materials for this class are provided. Prerequisite: General Art (ST# 05155A000) 

DRAWING & PAINTING 2 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will solve visual problems, research, plan and create images with personal meaning that incorporate drawing and painting and mixed media.  Students will create original art that practices artistic behaviors such as developing a personal voice, the ability to plan, reflect, revise and take risks.  This work will represent the student’s “Breadth” and refinement of technical skills and expressions.  Prerequisite: Drawing & Painting 1. (St#05157A000 & 05156A000)

AP STUDIO ART - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an Advanced Placement Studio Art Class. It is a college level course designed for highly motivated students seeking to pursue higher level understanding and are interested in an art related profession. Students will be required to create a Portfolio (collection of works) that includes-1) A sustained investigation of 15 works. 2) 5 selected works. Students will need to select one specific area of focus for the portfolio (2D, 3D, or Digital Media). The objective of this portfolio is to show student growth through research, syntheses of materials and methods, and personal reflection in one of the following areas; Drawing, 2-Dimensional Design or 3-Dimensional Design. The student should have a "B" average or higher and have the ability to work independently both in and outside of the classroom. This course can serve as a preparation for those who wish to take the AP Studio Art exam. The exam is not a requirement but strongly encouraged. Prerequisite: General Art, Drawing & Painting 1 & 2 or General Art, Drawing & Painting 1 and their choice of a 3D or a digital course with a teacher recommendation. (ST#05171A000)

JEWELRY & METALS 1 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a semester long course designed to familiarize students with basic and traditional metal techniques.  Design inspiration from nature, contemporary and historical fine art jewelry and other resources will be encouraged.  Project assignments will require design and fabrication to create authentic rings, pendants

JEWELRY & METALS 2 GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: (Prerequisite Jewelry & Metals I, available to grades 10-12) This is a semester long course and focuses on advanced metalsmithing techniques. These include forming, shaping, soldering, brazing, and casting. Special projects include glass beads and enameling. Project assignments will be uniquely fabricated into jewelry pieces, containers, or sculptures. Creativity and design inspiration is encouraged from nature, contemporary and historical fine art jewelry, as well as other resources. Materials include silver, copper, nickel, brass, wood, plastic, found objects and glass. THE STUDENT: The student will work with their hands, and should have an interest in art, and metalsmithing, as well as in further developing their skills to the best of their ability. Students will work at their own pace and are graded on their use of time, understanding of terminology, use of tools, and overall effort. This course offers students a chance to understand and appreciate the process involved in becoming a metalsmith and jewelry designer.

GENERAL ART: Art Exploration - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  General Art is an exploratory course that provides a wide variety of contemporary art project experiences designed to challenge and excite the student’s view of what are really can be.  WIth an emphasis on basic art elements and principles, General Art will prepare the student with basic skills necessary to create.  No prior art classes are required.  Open to grades 9-12. All course materials supplied. (ST#05154A000)

CERAMICS 1- 1st Semester - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: (General Art recommended but not required for 10-12). This is a course designed to teach basic ceramic techniques and applications such as hand-building, the skills of wheel-thrown pottery, and exposure to basic glazing techniques. This course will also introduce the concepts of maintaining a studio space in a production Art environment.  THE STUDENT: The student should have an interest in art and in developing their 3 Dimensional skills to the best of his ability.. (ST# 05159A000) 

SCULPTURE 1- 2nd Semester - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: (General Art recommended but not required for 10-12). This is a course designed to teach basic Sculpture techniques such as the additive and subtractive processes as well as casting, carving, modeling and assembling, This course will also introduce new materials such as clay, cardboard, plaster, wire, and possibly other materials to showcase the possibilities of sculpture and 3D design. THE STUDENT: The student should have an interest in art and in developing their 3 Dimensional skills to the best of his ability.. (ST# 05159A000) 

CERAMICS 2 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: : (Prerequisite: Grade C or better in Ceramics 1, open to grades 11-12). Advanced techniques in wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramics will be explored in this second year of ceramics. The projects assigned in this class will require greater sophistication and understanding of clay construction and pottery principles than Ceramics 1. Loading and firing of kilns will be taught as well as developing new clay and glaze formulas.  Ceramics 2 will also require more independent studio work and research during projects as the course progresses.  THE STUDENT: The student should have an interest in and an understanding of the fundamentals of Ceramics and be interested in further developing their 3 Dimensional Art and Design skills. (ST#05159A000)

SCULPTURE 2 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: : (Prerequisite: Grade C or better in Sculpture 1, open to grades 11-12). Advanced techniques in 3 dimensional sculpture and design will be explored in this second year of sculpture. The projects assigned in this class will require greater sophistication and understanding of sculpture techniques and design principles than Sculpture 1. Alternative techniques of casting, carving, modeling and assembling will be taught as well as studio management skills, material uses, and production practices. Sculpture 2 will also require more independent studio work and research during projects as the course progresses. THE STUDENT: The student should have an interest in and an understanding of the fundamentals of Sculpture and be interested in further developing their 3 Dimensional Art and Design skills. (ST#05159A000)

AP ART HISTORY - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world to engage with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art. By investigating specific course content of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, the students develop in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, developing understanding of individual works and interconnections across history. No prerequisites required. Open to grades 10-12 THE STUDENT: Should have a “B” average or higher. Since several works will be analyzed, observed and discussed attendance is necessary and most reading and research assignments will need to be done outside of class to prepare for the AP Art History Exam.