Art I
Art I is an integration of art history and studio skills. This foundation course emphasizes projects in a variety of media including paint, collage, and pencil techniques. Students are introduced to the elements of art and principles of design. Significant topics in art history, including the Italian Renaissance, Cubism, African art, and expressionist painters, are explored. The cross-curricular course design draws connections to the freshman Religious Studies and World History classes. The course meets a variety of students’ levels and abilities. Students develop a strong art historical background that informs their work as they progress through the visual arts program. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop and create a digital portfolio of their work.
Art II
This is a one-semester course further emphasizing the elements of art and principles of design including repetition, rhythm, emphasis, balance, contrast, and unity. Students explore two-dimensional studies using a variety of media including pencil, paint, pastel, and batik. Students focus on perception and creative expression, which develop a more mature approach to Art I skills. Cultural and art history are offered through the study of impressionism, surrealism, fauvism abstract expressionism, and pop art. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork.
Advanced Painting and Drawing I
In this one-semester intermediate level course, students concentrate on drawing from reality. Correct observation and development of three-dimensional form on two-dimensional surfaces are emphasized. Students focus on oblique, parallel, and aerial perspective. There are longer-duration studies, which improve hand-eye coordination while using black and white and color media. Students explore a variety of media including watercolor, pastel, acrylic, and oil paint. Personal style development is fostered. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork. Prerequisites – Art I and Art II.
Advanced Painting and Drawing II
In this one-semester advanced level course, students continue to develop topics explored in Advanced Painting and Drawing I. Prerequisites – Advanced Painting and Drawing I.
Design
This one-semester intermediate level course focuses on the fundamentals of visual communication. This course includes the formal application of design principles, as well as exposure to graphic design techniques and tools utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Methodology and visual analysis involved in the nature of message design are explored through the development of logos, posters, playbill designs, and invitations. Students are introduced to the basic concepts in fashion design technology in this course. Critical thinking skills and creative problem solving are emphasized, as well as participation in classroom critiques. This course is highly suggested as a complement to Advanced Painting and Drawing for juniors and as a precursor or parallel course to Honors Studio and AP Studio Art. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork.
3-D Art
This one-semester course focuses on art in its 3-dimensional form. The basic techniques of pottery design are emphasized. Students create projects in low-fire clay using hand-building techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab. A variety of glazing and decorative techniques are touched upon as well. Additional three-dimensional media such as cardboard relief sculpture, found object sculpture, or wire sculpture may be explored. Students participate in a wide range of experiences using additive or subtractive sculptural techniques to build artistic and creative confidence. Students further develop their knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design and apply those concepts in the creation of their 3-D work. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork.
3-D Art II
Students in this elective further develop their knowledge of 3-D Art design elements and principles and build on those concepts in the creation of advanced 3-D artwork. This course focuses on the excellence of ideas and craftsmanship while emphasizing the development of a personal style. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork. Prerequisite: 3-D Art and recommendation of teacher.
Digital Photography
This one-semester course focuses on understanding the basic operations and functions of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Students learn the photographic elements of art and principles of design, composition, and lighting. They explore the history of photography, scientific and technological developments, important innovators in the field, and relevance within diverse cultural contexts. Students write and speak about aesthetic, technical, and expressive qualities in a photograph, learning to critique their own and other’s work. Students learn image techniques and digital manipulation and the basics of preparing a digital darkroom by using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Students gain the skills necessary to archive, organize, and optimize their photographs for print. Students learn how to manage and creatively alter digital images as well as critically analyze the use of visual media as a means of communication in our society today. Students create a digital portfolio featuring their artwork.
Honors Studio
This portfolio preparation course challenges students with more advanced projects using the elements of art and design. It emphasizes creative and structured work designed to increase critical thinking and visual observation-based drawing skills. Students also craft several digital projects throughout the year, creating a basic fluency in Adobe Photoshop, a professional, industry-standard computer application. An abbreviated version of the Josef Albers Interaction of Color course is also offered. Prerequisites – Art I, Art II, and Advanced Painting and Drawing or equivalent university drawing and painting courses.
AP Studio Art
This exigent university-level course encourages independent study in three areas. In the Breadth section, students are given specific studies suggested by the College Board. In the Concentration arena, students create and base their artwork on the mature development of a single theme and work toward a personal style. Quality, the final part of the course, emphasizes excellence of idea and craftsmanship in six significant works of art. Complete course information is available online at www.collegeboard.com/ap/studioart/index.html. Students are required to complete a slide portfolio in addition to their traditional portfolio and are taught skills necessary to produce slides on an individual basis. It is strongly recommended that students taking the AP Studio course take Honors Studio concurrently, as they are complementary in producing a significant body of work in the senior year. Prerequisites – Art I, Art II, Advanced Painting & Drawing &/or Design.