The Visual Arts department teaches students how to develop a visual voice to speak about their lives.  Experiences and lessons help students learn how art concepts and technical skills can improve their ability to communicate ideas and feelings about their world.  Lessons combine examples from art history and culture with creative experiences to interpret ideas visually.  The department  offers a wide variety of  course selections from the traditional drawing, painting and sculpture to the more cutting edge art forms, including computer art, and photography.

9000 Elements and Principles of Art (1 credit)

This is a survey course that focuses on the development of young artists. A variety of studio projects from drawing and painting to sculptural projects will focus on the vocabulary and meaning of the design concepts. This course is a prerequisite for allspecialized art courses. It may be taken concurrently with the first specialized art courses.

9101 Ceramics (1 credit)

Ceramics focuses on a variety of hand-building techniques. Other skills like glazing, wheel throwing, slip casting, and sculpture are introduced.  Art concepts like texture, line, and shape are discussed in relationship to ceramics. Theme related projects might be based on art history, world issues, social commentary or personal interpretations.

9102 Sculpture (1 credit)

In Sculpture, students will explore and create pieces of sculpture in mediums like plaster, clay, paper and cloth.  In this course students will study the many different methods used in the construction of sculpted works of art and their materials.  They will also study the life and works of several outstanding old masters and artist of today.  Prerequisites: Elements and Principles of Art with a final grade of C or better or permission of the teacher.

9103 Drawing & Figure Drawing (1 credit)

Emphasis is placed on improving drawing skills by developing a variety of techniques.  Students will be exposed to a variety of sketching materials as well.  A portion of the course will focus on figure drawing and portraits. Students will learn the tricks that make the job of drawing the human figure or portraits easy.  Students will study several sketching techniques that are designed to improve his or her ability to draw the figure and portraits.  Drawing is done primarily from live models and augmented with source material.  Prerequisites: Elements and Principles of Art with an earned grade of C or better or with permission of the teacher.

This course will investigate the relationship of the Elements (color, space, texture, line, shape, and form) and the Principles (such as movement, contrast, repetition, emphasis, and proportion) of art as they relate to the components of filmmaking. Students will use the text, Understanding Movies, by Louis Giannetti. Lectures, discussions, and actual film will accompany text assignments. In some cases several clips of movies will be viewed as examples of specific techniques and in other cases entire films.

9105 Painting (1 credit)

Students will works in a wide variety of painting medium (materials like, watercolors, acrylics, gouache and tempera paints). They will learn several different painting techniques, and how to use and maintain materials properly.  The student will be expected to develop skills in painting realistic subject matter and creative design.  Prerequisites: Elements and Principles of Art with a final grade of C or better or with permission of the teacher.

9107 Advanced Pottery (1 credit)

This class is designed for the student who would like to work independently and develop a high artistic level of skill at pottery making. Students will be required to construct several assignments on the potter’s wheel as well as using the hand-built methods of pottery making. The students will explore all areas of pottery making from construction to firing. Because of the independent nature of the course requirements, Advanced Pottery may be offered concurrently with Ceramics. Prerequisites: Ceramics with a final grade of C or better.

9108 Independent Art Studies (1 credit)

This is an independent study course that allows art students to further develop the skills and concepts learned in previous art courses. The course is limited only to those students whose previously demonstrated work habits strongly suggest they will be able to work independently in a classroom containing students in another course. The student and teacher at the beginning of the course will determine project requirements, and students will need to supply some of their own materials. Prerequisites: 2 credits in art courses with no lower than a final grade of B in each art course completed and the recommendation of an art teacher.

9109 Portfolio Studies (1 credit)

This course is designed to help advanced art students prepare for entrance to college art programs.  Students develop portfolios and work on projects that challenge their skills. It is recommended that this course be taken in the junior year so that the portfolio may be completed and available for senior year application to art school. Prerequisites: 2 credits in art courses with no lower than a final grade of B in each art course completed and the recommendation of an art teacher.

9110 Advanced Placement Portfolio Studies (1 credit)

This course is for highly motivated students committed to the serious study of art.  Students in this course are expected to work at the highest level. Students must compile specific resource material in preparation of study, as outlined in the “summer requirements” packet.  During the course students must prepare a portfolio of 24 works for national submission, in one of three areas of concentration-Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design.  Students enrolled in an Advanced Placement course are prepared to sit for the Advanced Placement Test, and students should plan to take the test. Prerequisites: 2 credits in art courses with no lower than a final grade of B in each art course completed and the recommendation of an art teacher.  In addition it’s recommended that the student take Portfolio Introduction first.

 9112 Art History (1 credit)

This is a survey course that covers the history of art from ancient Art to contemporary times.  The course is predominately a lecture format augmented with textbook work and hands-on activities. Students will develop a broad knowledge of artistic time periods in relation to concepts like materials, style, purpose, and historical setting. Students will learn the terminology, techniques, and processes of Art.  Students will use the textbook, Art In History and will have access to images through computer discs and handouts.

9116 Computer Art (1 credit)

Students work almost entirely on the computer using the Adobe illustrator and the Adobe Photoshop programs. They create imagery via the computer, augmented with images using digital camera, and scanner. It addresses the introductory aspects of computer use as applied to graphic design, and communication skills. No previous computer experience is necessary; however, familiarity with typing on a keyboard is recommended.

9121 Introduction to Photography (1 credit)

This course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of photography – in both film and digital formats. Knowledge and skills will focus upon camera operation and exposure, film and print processing, composition, digital imaging and visual thinking.

9123 Advanced Photography (1 credit)

This course is designed to challenge students who wish to expand their existing photographic knowledge and creative abilities. Advanced concepts and techniques in both 35 mm film and digital photography will be studied. Lighting, alternative photography, digital manipulations, and visual literacy will be emphasized.  Students will develop a presentation portfolio. Prerequisites: Introduction to Photography with a final grade of C or better or with permission of the teacher.