Program of Studies Program of Studies 2019-2020 | Page 15

VISUAL ARTS Visual Arts I 1 credit Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 Students will learn the elements and principles of design, and develop skills and perception through drawing, painting, collage and other media. Learning about a variety of artists and their work will be embedded in the curriculum. This class stresses creative problem solving as an important part of an artist’s work. Written work and sketchbook homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Students will develop a portfolio of work, which will be considered part of the final grade. This course is the prerequisite for all other visual art classes. Transfer or residential students with equivalent introductory visual arts course(s) may have this requirement waived by the school counselor. Art History: 19th—21st Century (alternate years, offered ‘20-’21) 0.5 credit Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 Beginning with Romanticism, students will investigate human creativity through visual art, music, historical events, inventions and writing. This is an image-based, survey class that will also include group work. Participants will learn the vocabulary of art, learn how to critique, and gain information about art while viewing painting, drawing and sculpture. Honors Illustration (alternate years, offered ‘20-’21) 0.5 credit Grades 11 and 12 Prerequisite: Visual Arts I and Drawing This class teaches students visual narration. Students with strong drawing skills will complete a wide variety of projects, push their knowledge of media, and work with structured, true-to-life deadlines. Heavy emphasis will be on working sketches, creative ideas, color, finish work and personal style. This class will require homework including extra time at home and in the studio to meet deadlines, research, and fully develop ideas. Frequent critiques offer each artist the opportunity to improve their portfolio. Printmaking (alternate years, offered in ‘19-’20) 0.5 credit Grades 10,11,12 Prerequisite: Visual Arts I This studio course introduces basic printmaking processes and equipment with equal emphasis on concept and technique. Students are introduced to a variety of printmaking media and methods, such as monotype, relief and intaglio. Research and planning are important components in this studio class and homework will be assigned regularly. Students will participate in frequent written and oral critiques to aid in developing their personal portfolios. Photography 1 credit Grades 10, 11 and 12 Prerequisite: Visual Arts I The objective of this course is to provide a format for students to learn the visual and technical skills within the context of fine art photography. Coursework emphasizes conceptual, technical, and historical approaches to photography. Camera operation and a variety of printing processes and techniques will be explored, along with a variety of subject matter. Pottery 1 credit Grades 10, 11 and 12 Prerequisite: Visual Arts I This is a hands-on course that concentrates on various handbuilding and wheel throwing construction methods. Students will learn about the technical aspects of working with clay and glazes to create functional and well-designed pottery. Clay bodies, the stages of clay, tools and glazes are important topics that will be covered. Advanced handbuilding techniques will be employed and students will be introduced to the art of throwing clay forms on the wheel. Research, creative problem solving, and group critiques are all integral components for projects. Additional time developing projects in the clay studio will be required. Sculpture (alternate years, offered ‘19-’20) 0.5 credit Grades 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Visual Arts I Sculpture students will design and create a variety of 3-dimensional sculptural forms, exploring the use of space in various media, such as paper, clay, wood, or found objects. Research, creative construction of ideas, and planning are components in this studio class; additional time spent in the studio will be required.