Visual Arts

The foundations course is a drawing and painting course for beginning artists who have not taken an art class in a while. This class utilizes coordinated exercises and projects to help students gain a better grasp of what it takes to draw and paint well so that their friends and family will no longer ask "What is it?" Students will learn they have many tools at their disposal to help them observe their subjects more critically and represent them more accurately in their drawings and paintings. Students will learn they have the ability to grow as artists through purposeful practice much like they would in any other skillful endeavor such as their golf swing, free throw, or mastery of a musical instrument. Students will complete three or more works of art in (but not limited to) graphite, watercolor, and prismacolor pencil. Semester class. Grade 9-12. Prerequisites: None

This is the introductory course for all upper level 3-D studio art courses. This course will acquaint the students with a variety of media, skills, techniques, and ideas with major units on pottery, sculpture, metalworking, and wood working. Students will learn how to consider purpose in artistic creation, with multi-day projects, some of which are assigned via problem challenges, and some which are entirely student-generated. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: None.

Photography is essentially learning how to see anew. Working primarily in black and white, we begin with the basics - those fundamental graphic elements common to all photography - line, shape, texture and light. Students then advance to more complex subjects such as framing, creation of depth, identifying the dominant object, working with silhouettes and capturing the “decisive moment.” These topics and many others are explored in depth through lecture, demonstrations and hands-on exercises. The overall goal is to orchestrate all of the components of a photograph into a unified whole and ultimately arrive at a profound understanding of the difference between a “snapshot” and a well-composed photograph. In the latter stages of the class, color is introduced as are some of the great photographic themes such as photojournalism, landscape, architecture and portraiture. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: None.

In this class students will be introduced to the technology and techniques in crafting clear and compelling short video stories. Through lectures, hands-on workshops and creative assignments, students will learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling, how to use the camera as a creative tool of self-expression, and ultimately how to see the world as a filmmaker. By the end of the course, students will become proficient in video camera operation and video editing software as they complete several short film projects solo or in pairs. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: None.

From posters to websites, animations and book covers, in Intro to Graphic Design students learn to practice the habits of design thinking across a variety of media, synthesizing information and communicating complex ideas through the grammar of design: composition, color, image and typography. Modeled after professional level design programs, students will work with their hands, paper and pencil, as well as the Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop and After Effects. Even more than these, students will exercise problem solving, creative and conceptual thinking skills. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: None.

The Intermediate 2D Art course is a drawing and painting course for students who are seeking to further develop their skills in drawing and painting. A heavy emphasis will be placed on developing the drawing skills necessary for capturing the human form and face. This class will include exercises and projects in various drawing mediums as well as painting in oils and intaglio printmaking. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 1:2-D Foundations.

This course continues a students exposure to the 3-D art world by ramping up the kinds of challenges presented and by encouraging students to begin to develop specific competencies in woodworking, metalworking, forging, or pottery. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 1: 3-D Foundations.

Rather than focusing on light, composition or portraiture as the subject of projects, students in Intermediate Photography move from building blocks to architecture as they use these foundational skills to create cohesive photo series exploring and responding to ideas and questions found in readings, music and podcasts. Students in this course practice listening thoughtfully, asking rich questions and contributing honestly to class discussions, bringing their ideas, perspective and experience to bear on their photographs, exploring both digital and 35mm film photography. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 1 Photography

Building upon the foundations learned in the intro course, students in Intermediate Graphic Design learn to exercise the grammar of design and the habits of the creative process to invite others into an idea, conversation, story or experience. The aim of this course is to equip students to practice design independently and proficiently across a variety of media. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 1:Graphic Design foundations.

The Advanced 2D Art course is similar to the intermediate course in that it starts with exercises and projects in drawing and oil painting. From that point onward, the advanced student will direct their own learning with assistance from the teacher. Students may choose to focus on a particular subject or medium. Students are encouraged to take on new mediums or techniques which will require them to do their own research, including exploration of mediums not found in the classroom. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 2: 2-D

The Advanced 3-D course provides a venue for a student to work on self-determined 3-D projects using the skills and knowledge gained from previous 3-D work. Semester course. Grade: 9-12. Prerequisites: Art 2: 3-D

This 3D Modeling and Fabrication course will teach students the skills to create objects using advanced 3D modeling techniques. Students will learn how to create digital models in a variety of software packages, explore the process of 3D printing, and experiment with various fabrication techniques. Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on activities, students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of 3D modeling and fabrication, and develop their own projects. Semester course. Grades: 9-12. Prerequisites: None.