Fine Arts Department
Visual Arts Courses
(Only Level 3, 4 & AP Courses Above are Included in GPA)
2D Art Foundations
FA102 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
This course provides students with the skills that are essential for a solid art background. Students develop competency and confidence in drawing, painting, and sculpture, through the use of pencil, charcoal, watercolor and acrylic paints. They develop an in-depth understanding of the elements of art and the principles of design, and apply their learning imaginatively and skillfully in their own work. Students are also exposed to the artwork of major artists and diverse cultures, developing understanding of how others have used art concepts and techniques to creatively communicate ideas and convey meaning through visual art. Students should expect to receive homework assignments in this course.
Drawing I L3
FA131 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- C or better in 2D Art Foundations; OR
- Permission of instructor
Drawing I is a course designed to investigate the processes involved in the creation of the visual statement. Three major components of the course are the development of the student’s ability to "see," the mechanics of rendering an image, and the production of visual statements made by people in the context of the history of art. These components are developed through a sequence of drawing exercises while using various media, such as sketching posed figures, studying contrasts of light and dark, asymmetrical compositions, and creating textures and patterns.
Drawing II L3
FA240 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisite:
- B- or better in Drawing I L3; OR
- Permission of instructor
Drawing II is an advanced course in the study of the drawn image. The class is focused on intensified activities that include gesture and contour drawing, the creation of volume through linear extension, and the construction of forms through continual surface lines. Emphasis is on posed figures, figures in action, and the still life, using a variety of media and tools.
Mixed-Media Painting L3
FA230 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisite:
- C or better in 2D Art Foundations; OR
- Permission of instructor
Students electing Mixed-Media Painting will have an opportunity to study three major paint media--watercolors, acrylics and oil paints. In watercolor, the various uses of paper, and brushes and paint techniques will be studied. Because acrylics are relatively new paints with unlimited potential, much experimentation will be expected from each student. In contrast, students will study the strict laws governing the construction of an oil painting.
Graphic Design
FA100 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
Graphic Design students will use technology along with traditional graphic materials to create their designs. They will utilize Adobe Creative Suite 4, digital cameras, scanners, and a large format printer in this course. Students will demonstrate original and consistent application of elements and principles of design in their work. The intent of this course is to have students progress to think and format as designers, become skilled with Photoshop CS 6, Illustrator CS6, In Design CS 6, ultimately working with all three programs to create a body of work that can be documented through assignments, sketchbooks, and CD or flashdrive.
3D Art Foundations
FA103 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
This course provides students with the skills that are essential for a solid art background in clay and sculptural mediums. They develop an in-depth understanding of the sculpture elements of art and the principles of design, and apply their learning creatively and proficiently in their own work. Students are also exposed to the artwork of major artists and diverse cultures, developing understanding of how others have used art concepts and techniques to creatively communicate through visual art. Students who successfully complete this course have the background to continue in Pottery and 3D Design courses.
3D Sculpture L3
FA233 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- B- or better in 3D Art Foundations
This course will introduce the fundamental concepts and components of three-dimensional design in art. The main emphasis of this course is to develop critical thinking skills as they apply to three dimensional art forms and to help students gain a deeper understanding of visual art. Sculptural issues will be explored through the solution of design problems. The basic components line, plane, mass and space are examined using a variety of materials such as mat board, clay, wire mesh, paper, plaster, wood, and found objects. The course is intended to develop the conceptual skills related to three-dimensional thinking and the ability to produce creative and practical solutions used in resolving three-dimensional problems encountered in sculpture. Students who successfully complete this course can use the work towards completion of the breadth portion of the 3-D Design obligation.
Pottery I (L3), II-IV (L4)
FA132/141/242/250 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12 (POTTERY I), 10-12 (POTTERY II-IV)
Prerequisite:
Pottery I:
Pottery I:
- C or better in 3D Art Foundations
- C+ or better in Pottery I L3
- C+ or better in Pottery II L4
- B- or better in Pottery III L4 (Independent Study, per permission of the instructor)
These courses provide an in-depth and progressive study of wheel-thrown pottery. Students learn how to use the potter's wheel and decorate pottery using a variety of techniques. This is a skill based class where there are fundamental throwing techniques that students master as they progress. Special attention is given to individual development and artistic expression.
Digital Photography I
FA101 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
Digital Photography will focus on students learning how to create visual artwork using digital cameras, scanners, printers and Photoshop CS 6 to create montages, apply artistic effects, clone objects and people, modify color and shadows, and alter perspectives in their photographs. Some of the concepts covered include how to take the best initial picture, selecting and transforming parts of an image, color and value corrections, working with layers and masks, file formats, and working with and selecting the best technology to achieve the most artistic result. Students upon completion of this course should have a good working knowledge of the Digital SLR camera and Photo enhancement software.
Digital Photography II
FA200 - 0.5 CREDITS - SEMESTER LONG - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisite:
- C or better in Digital Photography I
Digital Photography II expands upon the photographic competencies and aesthetic sensibilities covered in Digital Photography I.
AP 2D Studio Art (Drawing)
FA450 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADE 12
Prerequisite:
- B- or better in Drawing I L3 or Mixed-Media Painting L3. Admission is subject to a portfolio review by the instructor.
AP Studio Art class is designed by The College Board based on a set of national standards for performance in the visual arts. It is designed for those students who are seriously interested in the practical experiences of art making regarding issues in two-dimensional design. This 2-D course involves purposeful decision making about how to apply the elements and principles of art and design in an integrative way. Students are guided through a rigorously organized curriculum where they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in design principles articulated through the visual elements.
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2-D design through any two-dimensional medium and/or process. This AP course addresses three major concerns that are worked on throughout the school full year. They are: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. A completed portfolio is assembled and submitted to the College Board for assessment at the end of the full year.
A summer assignment is a vital part of Advanced Placement Studio Art. Students must prepare several works before returning to school in September. It is expected that all students signed up for this course will submit their portfolio to the College Board AP evaluation committee for review.
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2-D design through any two-dimensional medium and/or process. This AP course addresses three major concerns that are worked on throughout the school full year. They are: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. A completed portfolio is assembled and submitted to the College Board for assessment at the end of the full year.
A summer assignment is a vital part of Advanced Placement Studio Art. Students must prepare several works before returning to school in September. It is expected that all students signed up for this course will submit their portfolio to the College Board AP evaluation committee for review.
AP 3D Design Portfolio
FA451 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADE 12
Prerequisite:
- B- or better in Pottery III L4 or 3D Sculpture L3. Admission is subject to a portfolio review by the instructor.
3D Design Portfolio follows a set of national standards for performance in the visual arts. It is designed for those students who are seriously interested in the practical experiences of art making regarding issues in three-dimensional design. This 3-D course involves purposeful decision making about how to apply the elements and principles of art and design in an integrative way. Students are guided through a rigorously organized curriculum where they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in design principles articulated through the visual elements.
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 3-D Design through either Sculpture mediums or Pottery. This course addresses three major concerns that are worked on throughout the school full year: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. Students can elect to submit a completed portfolio is for assessment at the end of the full year. Students must prepare several works before returning to school in September before their senior full year by completing a summer assignment.
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 3-D Design through either Sculpture mediums or Pottery. This course addresses three major concerns that are worked on throughout the school full year: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. Students can elect to submit a completed portfolio is for assessment at the end of the full year. Students must prepare several works before returning to school in September before their senior full year by completing a summer assignment.
AP 2D Design
FA452 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADE 12
Prerequisite:
- B- or better in Digital Photography II or Graphic Design. Admission is subject to a portfolio review by the instructor.
The AP 2-D Design course is designed by The College Board based on a set of national standards for performance in the visual arts; the portfolio contains 29 artworks in three sections: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. This class is designed for experienced, highly motivated students in graphics and photography emphasizing making art through photography and digital media. Students will be required to investigate all three aspects of the portfolio, which include Quality, Concentration, and Breadth; media used will be digitally based in graphics and photography. Students will have access to Adobe Creative Suite software as well as a scanner and printer. Students are expected to develop mastery in photographic and graphic concepts, composition and execution of ideas. Summer course work is required and is a vital element of completing the portfolio with the student prepared to present their work for critique in September. AP 2D Design is not based on a written exam; instead, all students are required to submit a finished portfolio to the AP College Board evaluation committee in May of the school year.