Visual Arts

Introduction to Art

50.02110 | half-year | .5 credit

This introductory course is designed to teach students basic visual art skills as they explore a wide variety of media and techniques. Drawing, painting, elements and principles of design, color theory, mixed media, and art history will be introduced through a series of projects. This course is organized to develop the art skills of beginners, and to enhance the skills of the more experienced artists. Students will gain a greater appreciation of the arts and its value to their community. Artwork created by students is displayed throughout the school. This builds student confidence and creates a stimulating environment.

Ceramics/Sculpture

50.04110 | half-year | .5 credit

This class Introduces 3-D design through work with clay and other materials. Students learn the technical building blocks to create clay pieces, using slab, coil, and pinch techniques. Students apply this knowledge to create hand-built functional pottery as well as personally expressive ceramic art. Students gain experience in various decorating and finishing techniques, including colored slips, glazes, applied textures, and patinas. Studio work is supplemented with research and discussion of historical artwork as well as contemporary art, in order to develop a wider aesthetic, as well as verbal, vocabulary in art.

Fiber/Fashion

half-year | .5 credit

Students will expand their artistic skills and expression through fiber work. Course work will include a variety of materials and techniques, including weaving, dyeing, garment construction, and fabric and fashion design. Emphasis will be placed on historical tradition, critical analysis of artwork and creative exploration of materials.

Digital Photography

50.07110 | .5 credit

This course introduces photography as an art form, while covering the historical development of photography and photographic design and its cultural influences. Students practice diverse composition, camera, and editing techniques in order to learn to make creative, evocative, and powerful photographic images. Students focus on photojournalism, portraiture, abstract imaging, and nature photography. (Prerequisite: Visual Art)

Drawing/Painting

50.05110 | half-year | .5 credit

Students explore the expressive possibilities of drawing and painting while learning drawing and painting techniques with a variety of traditional as well as non-traditional art media. Students will practice critical analysis of historical paintings and drawings of different styles, historical periods, and cultures. Students utilize problem-solving techniques to make personal creative statements while learning to master drawing and painting techniques. (Prerequisite: Visual Art)