This is a one-year program for seniors who have completed a minimum of three art classes: beginning drawing, painting, and design; an intermediate level course is also recommended. In addition, one semester of Art History is required, however, students are encouraged to take this course during their senior year. Art portfolios are prescreened in the spring semester of their junior year. Juniors should submit their strongest US level artworks for the art portfolio prescreening, with a minimum of fifteen artworks. During their senior year, students produce an additional 12 - 20 artworks for their portfolio. AP Art is a college level course with criteria prescribed by the National College Board. Students will submit an art portfolio of 24 artworks to the College Board for evaluation in the spring. The class experience is to develop a thematic series of artworks, and to host their own art exhibit in the spring. There is a lab fee of $100.
Students use critical thinking skills to study the creative process of individual artists and the nature of creativity through art history and studio work. This course employs an experiential element as students have the opportunity to create works of art in the styles of the different art movements. By exploring techniques, media, and styles from various historical periods, students gain insight into artistic thought and creative problem solving. Students learn to recognize the distinguishing characteristics of each specific period, prominent artists of each period, and explore why the works were created in the particular manner selected. Mixed-media, slides, reading, oral discussion.
Students use critical thinking skills to study the creative process of individual artists and the nature of creativity through art history and studio work. This course employs an experiential element as students have the opportunity to create works of art in the styles of the different art movements. By exploring techniques, media, and styles from various historical periods, students gain insight into artistic thought and creative problem solving. Students learn to recognize the distinguishing characteristics of each specific period, prominent artists of each period, and explore why the works were created in the particular manner selected. Mixed-media, slides, reading, oral discussion.
This hybrid course blends traditional digital photography with fine art techniques using DSLR cameras and Procreate. Students will capture stunning photos with DSLR cameras and transform their images into digital works of art through advanced editing, painting, and design in Procreate. This course encourages students to explore photography as both an art form and a tool for creative expression, while mastering skills in both the technical and artistic realms.
To "Design" is a plan for order, whether it be functional (useful) or aesthetic (to be visually appreciated). In this semester-long course, we design by making choices, involving the expression of material, selection of form, and fulfillment of purpose. All design begins with concept. A unified composition results when all the parts hold together to produce the best possible effect. The goal of a design course is to specifically and systematically introduce students to the fundamental elements and principles of art, which are the foundation skills necessary to then support students in all of their studio art courses, and academic art assignments.
Eligibility: No prerequisite; Open to grades 9-12, Spring or Fall Semester
This Intermediate Design course expands students’ understanding of design concepts, materials, techniques, and processes. Students work in more refined areas of design, such as graphic design (text, logo, marketing strategies, etc.) and the development of a student selected thematic series that combines text, image, and innovative materials and techniques in the creation of their own unique Artist Book. Students will discover countless new ways to work with mixed media and found objects.
Eligibility: Beginning Design; Open to grades 9-12, Spring or Fall Semester.
This course offers an in-depth exploration of digital art, combining the fundamentals of drawing, illustration, and painting. Students will learn to create compelling digital artworks using industry-standard software, developing skills applicable to various creative industries.
This class is intended for all the students with an interest in learning the basics of graphic design for video and print media. Students will learn how to use some of the most important software used in the creation of digital content: Photoshop for photo composing, Lightroom for digital image development, After Effect for video animation and other software for digital drawing and compositing (Adobe InDesign and Procreate for iPad). While learning how to use these different editing platforms, the students will also learn how to create professionally edited digital content.
The goal of this semester-long course is to encourage students to experience drawing as a way of "seeing", as opposed to looking. The ability to draw is not a gift, but a learned skill. Drawing records visual thinking and is a basis for developing any art form. Some of the basic drawing skills that will be introduced will involve gesture drawing, contour drawing, the use of negative and positive space, value and shading, portraiture, still life, landscape, and perspective drawing.
Students will be introduced to exemplary works of art from a variety of historical and contemporary artists.
Every project concludes with an oral group critique and a written self/peer assessment. Each student is recognized for the progress gained in developing these skills. Grading is based strictly on individual progress.
In this semester-long course, the basic skills of rendering are taken a step further by fine-tuning shading, composition, foreshortening, and some color work. There is a strong emphasis on learning to draw the human figure from models, still life, and conceptualization; learning to transform ideas into forms. Mixed media will be applied.
This innovative course invites students to explore the fascinating intersection of art, engineering, and technology through the creation of kinetic artwork, automata, and clockwork machines. Students will learn to design and build moving sculptures and functional art pieces that combine artistic vision with mechanical functionality. Using traditional art techniques alongside modern tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, and microcontrollers, students will bring their creations to life, blending creativity with technological skills.
This course explores the fusion of fine art and technology, focusing on creating interactive artworks incorporating electronic elements such as lighting, sensors, and microcontrollers. Students will learn to design and construct projects that respond to environmental stimuli, engage audiences, and push the boundaries of traditional art forms.
A semester elective to learn about and practice art-making. This class will build on the student's current level and comfort with using traditional/new art materials and tools to spark/inspire student creativity. Students will create original art.
Basic painting skills are developed in this course. Throughout the semester students will explore painting techniques in watercolor and acrylic paint, while learning about color theory and color mixing. By the end of the course, students will understand how to mix any color imaginable with the three primary colors. Most projects incorporate student's personal thoughts and original ideas into their work.
Students will be introduced to exemplary works of art from a variety of historical and contemporary artists.
Every project concludes with an oral group critique and a written self/peer assessment
Color concepts and brush work are expanded upon in this semester-long intermediate painting course. The class will begin with watercolor and end with oil painting. Students will learn to use a variety of wet media together such as ink, oil paints, acrylics, watercolor, watercolor pencils, and soft pastels. Exemplary works of art from a variety of historical and contemporary artists will be covered with each project. Critical thinking methods will be used to help students question and investigate the work of others; helping them to gather new visual information for personal expression. Every project concludes with an oral group critique and a written self/peer assessment.
Explore the world of typography and pattern-making with a creative twist. Students will combine digital lettering and patterns to design unique posters, logos, and visual artwork.
Video Production explores different ways of bringing a creative work to life on screen. Through a series of hands-on film making projects, students gain insight into how to move an audience, build upon their vision, and express their creative voices effectively.
Students gain experience in all aspects of production--from storyboarding, scripting and casting, to shooting, directing, and editing using professional-standard equipment and software.
A fun, interactive, and eye-opening class with lessons that apply across many disciplines. This course is for aspiring filmmakers of all levels.
