Visual Arts

Visual Art Courses

Art & Creativity

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  None

Grades offered:  9-12

This one-semester course is intended for students interested in creating visual art.  It is open to all students, though suggested for underclassmen as a prerequisite for upper-level art classes.  Students will be directly involved in art making while developing their creative problem-solving skills and individual expression.  A wide variety of art techniques and processes will be introduced to help the emerging artist master basic art skills, understand art concepts and cultivate creativity.

Digital Art, Photography & Design I

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  None

Grades:  9-12

This one-semester course is an introduction to the process of working with digital media to create art.  It is designed for the beginning level students interested in exploring photography, graphic design and digital art.  Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator will be the primary software tools.  Emphasis will be placed on the development of an artistic eye and a sense of design when taking photos and creating layouts. Straight photography and the integration of images with typography and other graphic elements will be explored.  Students are not required to purchase a high-end camera for this class.

Digital Art, Photography & Design II

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  Digital Art, Photography & Design I

Grades:  9-12

This one-semester will further develop their skills in working with digital media to create art.  Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator will continue to be the primary software tools.  More advanced projects in photography, graphic design, and digital art  will be explored.  Emphasis will be placed on cultivating individual expression and working with thematic concepts. Students are not required to purchase a high-end camera for this class.

Ceramics I

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  None

Grades offered:  9-12

This semester course is structured around a design framework aimed at guiding students through a process of how to be creative thinkers.  Students are expected to work independently on their assignments with a focus on finding solutions through research, purposeful exploration in planning and creativity.  Therefore upperclassmen are encouraged to take this course.  Students are challenged to create their visual ideas in clay by applying learned skills and techniques in hand-building, wheel throwing, and glazing of their artwork.  Emphasis is placed on creative problem-solving, craftsmanship and perseverance in this energized studio-based class.

Ceramics II

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  Ceramics I

Grades offered:  9-12

This semester course is a continuation for self-directed, advanced ceramic art students.  Students are expected to work independently on designing artwork inspired from personal interests and research on historical and contemporary artwork.  Focus will be on hand-built sculptural artwork focused on personal expression and style.  Students will continue to develop their artistic skills, demonstrating how design principles function within their artwork.

Art History

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  None

Grades offered:  10-12

This one-semester discussion-based course is designed for the student who is interested in the study of art history while not being directly involved in the process of art making.  Students will develop visual literacy to help promote their skill in analyzing traditional and contemporary visual art.  Topics discussed will focus on the reasons for the existence of art, understanding different art forms, and the growth of an appreciation for the work of art.  Students will be challenged to make the connection that art is a reflection of the time and place in which it was made.

Mixed Media Art

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  Art & Creativity or Ceramics II 

Grades offered:  9-12

This one-semester course emphasizes the creation of art using two or more art media in a single composition.  This technique provides an individual, inventive, multi-layered approach to the creation of art.  Focus is placed on principles of design and expanding the material creative process.  The history of this approach is studied while students investigate the areas of mixed media art, collage, and assemblage.

Drawing & Painting I

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  None

Grades offered:  9-12

This one-semester course is designed for art students who want to develop their technical and conceptual two-dimensional art skills.  It offers challenging work through a wide variety of drawing and painting media.  A creative, personal approach to studio art assignments is encouraged. Traditional and contemporary artists and art movements are emphasized in relation to style development.  Sketchbook homework assignments are a requirement for this course.

Drawing & Painting II

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  Drawing & Painting I

Grades offered:  10-12

This one-semester course is designed for art students who want to further develop their technical and conceptual two-dimensional art skills. It offers challenging work through a wide variety of drawing and painting media.  A creative, personal approach to studio art assignments is encouraged.   Traditional and contemporary artists and art movements are emphasized in relation to style development.  Sketchbook homework assignments are a requirement for this course.

Honors Studio Art

Credit:  1.0

Course Fee:  $12.50

Prerequisite:  By teacher recommendation (at least 3 semesters of visual arts classes are recommended)

Grades offered:  11-12

This one-semester repeatable course is open to art students who have produced artwork that is clearly above average and have demonstrated a high level of motivation and responsibility.  Themes and areas of concentration for studio coursework are pursued based on individual students’ goals and interests.   Independent work outside of class is required. Honors Studio Art is often utilized to begin the process of building a portfolio of personalized work prior to taking AP Art and Design.

AP Art and Design

Credit:  0.5

Course Fee:  $12.50, AP portfolio test fee if applicable

Prerequisite:  By teacher recommendation (at least 3 semesters of visual arts classes are recommended)

Grades offered:  11-12

AP Art and Design is a class for the advanced art student who is looking for a high-level, self-directed art experience,  AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit a portfolio at the end of the school year for evaluation.  This portfolio demonstrates the artistic skills and concepts they have developed, refined, and applied while conducting an inquiry-based sustained investigation.  Students will choose to pursue one of three portfolio options:  2-D Design, 3-D Design or Drawing, within the course, for potential AP exam submission.

Visual Arts Clubs