Academics: Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department offers a variety of courses including drawing, painting, digital photography, art fundamentals,ceramics, jewelry making and computer graphics. The faculty seeks to develop a broader sense of self in students and the potential for using visual thinking as an alternate mode of thinking. It compliments analytical skills and is applicable to creative problem solving in all disciplines. All students' efforts are displayed at the annual Evening of the Arts show in May showcasing the artistic talents in all media.
Art Fundamentals
Art Fundamentals is an introduction to the elements of art and principles of design. The goals of this class are enhanced visual awareness, creative problem solving and a fundamental sense of art history.
Art Appreciation
This course is an advanced survey class that begins with cave paintings and moves forward in time to the present. This class takes a close look at how art reflects the development of civilization and cultures around the world.
Art Appreciation II
This class will be formatted as a continuation of Art Appreciation I. Level II will continue around the world, looking at dawn of time to the present.
20th Century Mixed Media
Reviewing the elements of art and the principles of design, this course closely examines how they are present in the experimental art forms of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students create art projects based on
Cubism, the Bauhaus, Pop Art and Environmental Art, using alternative media, including words, sound, collage and the earth.
Drawing I
In an introduction to basic classical drawing techniques, students develop the skill of observation and the ability to translate what they observe on to paper.
Drawing II
Drawing II is an advanced course in the vocabulary and application of drawing techniques and the use of drawing tools. Students strive to enter their works into competitions and develop a portfolio. Students are expected to learn advanced drawing techniques in still life, figure drawing, portraiture, and nature drawing.
Drawing III
In this advanced course, students will work more independently. The focus of this class will be on the human figure. Students will propose their projects.
Graphic Art and Design I
This computer art class focuses on the basic principles and elements of design with emphasis on how to apply them in commercial art. Students do some work conventionally by hand as well as learn to work in the computer programs Adobe InDesign and PhotoShop.
Graphic Art and Design II
This intermediate level class continues exploring the concepts of graphic design and its commercial and artistic applications. This class works with concepts on advertising, poster design, and illustration.
Graphic Art and Design III
In this advanced level class students apply fundamental design concepts to solve more difficult creative problems with an emphasis on creating commercial art for clients.
Jewelry I
This course is an introduction into the use of copper, brass and nickel. Soldering, stone setting and marriage of metal techniques are learned.
Jewelry II
Jewelry II covers enameling, casting, acid etch as well as the refinement of student’s craftsmanship skills.
Ceramics I
Ceramics I is an introduction to basic Ceramics as students learn the pinch, coil and slab methods of hand
building and fire and glaze their projects.
Ceramics II
Following upon the methods of hand building learned in Ceramics I, Ceramics II students further refine hand-built ceramic techniques and expand and develop their knowledge and use of the wheel-thrown
process.
Ceramics III
The students gain developing skills as self-directed learners. This type of course will allow an individual approach to pursue the ceramic medium beyond the scope and depth currently offered in Ceramics I & II.
Digital Photography
This course emphasizes the creative and artistic sides of photography and the use of PhotoShop to enhance their images.
Digital Photography II
Students expand their knowledge in the use of their digital camera, along with becoming more proficient in the use of PhotoShop, and learn more about lighting and strong composition.
Digital Photography III
In this advanced course, creative techniques in both the use of photoshop and the camera will be emphasized.
Painting - Two-Dimensional Art I
Two-Dimensional Art is an exploration of painting media and subjects, and includes still life, portraiture, figure painting, and expressive painting.
Advanced Painting, Two-Dimensional Art II
In this advanced exploration of painting techniques and mediums students will continue to develop their skill and knowledge of mediums introduced in Painting I. Students work with acrylic, watercolor and gouache paints to refine their understanding and confidence.
Honors Senior Seminar Art Portfolio
This year long class is designed to help seniors interested in pursuing an advanced education in art. The goal is for each student to find his individual artistic voice as well as complete a professional portfolio of artwork.
