Art

The Art Department exists to stimulate students in their development and growth through the
utilization of knowledge and skills. Our goal is to teach students the necessary skills to
transform thoughts and ideas into a concrete expression that shapes, reveals, and embodies art.
The Art Department also provides a wide variety of content and media to encourage selfexpression,
self-development and the appreciation of one’s self and others as well as art
experiences.

Course # 1211            Introduction to Art
Prerequisite: None     
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course is designed to enhance the student's aesthetic appreciation of art.  The class will concentrate on the fundamentals of drawing and the elements of art.  Students will complete many projects including sketches, small-scale drawings, and advanced color drawings.
 

Course #1212              Advanced Drawing
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art     
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12               Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course will continue the development of basic drawing skills.  Students will study the elements and principles of design and participate in daily drawing practice and activities.  There will be a major focus on drawing the human body.
 

Course #1226              Ceramics I
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course is an introduction to ceramics focusing on creating functional and artistic clay forms.  The processes that will be taught include hand building and wheel-throwing.  Students will experience working with various glazes and firing techniques.  A final digital portfolio will be required at the end of the semester.
 

Course #1222              Painting I
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art                                                                                                     
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course develops basic two-dimensional principles with paint media.  Painting teaches students in a studio atmosphere the correct procedures of watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.  A complex consideration of composition and technique are required.  Independent work is emphasized.
 

Course #1231              Printmaking
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course exposes students to create artistic prints using a mass production approach.  This media includes stamping, collagraphs, linoleum and silk-screen.  Printmaking uses both images and words through an artist’s creative skills and techniques.  Students will learn abstract thinking, process and computer illustration.

Course #1227             Sculpture
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12                Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course continues to expand art knowledge and experiences in three dimensions.  Sculpture technique, form, and content are emphasized thoroughly with a variety of 3-D media.  Students will work with paper, plaster, clay, stone, wood, metal, and mixed media.  The creation of many sculptures will be required as the semester concludes.  Each student will also prepare work for the school gallery display and personal photographic portfolios.
 

Course #1228              Ceramics II
Prerequisite: Ceramics I, department approval
Grade level: 10, 11, 12                    Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
This course is a rigorous and in-depth 3D elective that will build on the skills, such as wheel throwing and hand building, developed in Ceramics.  Through instruction and individual effort this course will encourage students to create an individual style and contemporary form as well provide them the opportunity to start developing a portfolio for AP Studio Art.

Course #1213              Digital Art

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

Grade level: 10, 11, 12                    Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
In this course students will learn artistic expression with a digital medium that involves design, composition and publishing.  Adobe Illustrator and In-Design software will be introduced and applied to all assignments. Projects using a combination of images, graphics and text will be stressed. The successful completion of a digital portfolio is required at the end of the semester.
 

Course #1223              Painting II
Prerequisite: Painting I, department approval
Grade levels: 10, 11, 12                   Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
In this course, students will improve and expand on the skills learned in Painting I and focus on portraits, figures and works of a larger scale.  They will collaborate in designing and executing these larger paintings.  Emphasis will also be placed on developing each student’s individual style and knowledge of art history.
 

Course #1214              Digital Photography
Prerequisite: Introduction to Art
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: one semester                        Course credit: .5
In this course students will be introduced to digital photography by using SLR digital cameras to create their own pictures.  Adobe Photoshop software will be utilized to correct, alter, manipulate, and enhance the images.  Artistic principles that will be stressed include: composition, communication and color.  The image will then be transferred for output to a 6 color inkjet printer.  Students will be required to build a digital portfolio for review at the end of the semester.

Course #1215             Commercial Design and Production
Prerequisite: Digital Art, application, and interview
Grade level: 10, 11, 12                    Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
Commercial Design and Production will teach students the skills and concepts necessary for creating and mass producing Art for the marketplace. Through authentic learning students will work both independently and cooperatively to create complex works of professional quality commercial art using a variety of techniques, technologies and resources. Students will be expected to meet deadlines and demonstrate knowledge and skills that communicate clear and focused ideas based on planning, research, and problem solving.  In order to enroll in this course, students must successfully complete the application and interview process. The interviews will be jointly conducted by the course instructor and the department chair.

Course #1280              Advanced Placement Studio Art
Prerequisite: Department approval
Grade level: 11, 12                          Course length: two semesters                        Course credit: 1
AP Studio Art is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art and preparing for the Advanced Placement exam. Students will create a college level portfolio for evaluation at the end of the year.  This portfolio will contain dozens of projects focused on drawing, 2D and/or 3D design.  This College Board program course requires a national standard for performance in the visual arts that will allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.