for graduation. Note: Students interested
in the Visual Arts Endorsement are
advised to take Visual Art I in freshman
or sophomore year in order to allow
time to complete the required amount of
studio electives before graduation.
Art History: 19th—21st Century
0.5 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
Note: This course does not serve as a
prerequisite for other visual art electives.
Beginning with Romanticism, students
will investigate human creativity through
visual art, music, historical events,
inventions and writing. This is an imagebased, 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.
Homework will include reading and
research, and occasionally creating an
artwork.
Illustration
0.5 credit
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
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
0.5 credit
Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
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: Successful completion of
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. Regular homework is assigned in
this class.
Sculpture
0.5 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
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;
homework will be assigned regularly and
additional time spent in the studio will
be required.
Honors Drawing
1 credit
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
Visual Arts I
Students will be introduced to the
methods, materials and aesthetics of
drawing, working with such media as
graphite, conté, charcoal, pastels and
ink. Emphasis is on direct observation
and learning to see in graphic terms. The
subject matter and content will include
still life, landscape, animals, architecture
and the human form (including selfportraiture). Through class lectures and
demonstrations students will study the
history of drawing and will develop their
ability to read the finer aesthetic qualities
found within works of art. Weekly
sketchbook drawing is a necessary part
of successfully completing this course.
Written and oral critiques make up the
remaining requirements. Success in this
class is dependent upon the completion
of all studio assignments including the
sketchbook.
Honors Painting
1 credit
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
Visual Arts I
Students will explore the beginning
techniques, processes, and aesthetic
issues of working in tempera, watercolor,
acrylic and other paint-based media.
Goals for this class include learning
how to see and use color with sensitivity
and sophistication, understanding and
applying the science of color, and how
to use painting tools effectively. Students
will study a wide range of subject matter
including still life, landscape, portraiture,
abstract and non-objective themes.
Art history, art criticism and aesthetics
will be an integral part of coursework.
Homework will include collecting visual
materials, researching for projects,
working in personal sketchbooks and
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