Arts

Photography: Darkroom to Digital   0.5 Credit                                   Course No. 602
Trimesters: 1

Recording, editing, and sharing photographic moments are part of daily life — a way to connect with others to share our triumphs and challenges with the world. Come explore the world of photography and learn how you can make the camera work for you.  

This course will focus on using the camera as a tool to create great photographs.  An emphasis will be placed on learning basic camera functions (both manual and automatic), using a range of equipment to test out ideas, and refining editing features to make the camera work for you and compose a better photo. Students will use both the darkroom and digital editing software to aid in this creative exploration.

Commercial Photography   0.5 Credit                                      Course No. 604 
Trimesters: 1

Photography is a vitally important aspect of every business.   Businesses wanting to sell a product or promote their brand look to this field of photography.  It can be a lucrative market for those who excel at it. 

This course will focus on the use of the studio to develop essential skills such as mastery of digital cameras, studio lighting, composition, and imagination/creativity.  There will be an emphasis on creating photos to be displayed in magazines, websites and other forms of social media through development in the four most sought after categories of commercial photography: fashion, food, portraiture, and product advertising. 

Animation I   0.5 Credit                                               Course No. 606
Trimesters: 1

In the world around us, animation has become a powerful medium for self-expression, entertainment, branding products, and generating excitement about an idea.
This course will move students from a content consumer to a content creator by introducing them to the creative process of bringing characters and ideas to life. Through the development of technical skills and the use of planning with storyboards, students will apply their learning in a business setting, a storytelling setting, and an expression of their choice.
 

Animation II   0.5 Credit                                               Course No. 607
Trimesters: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Animation I.

The power of learning how to create in Animation I inspires many students to want to delve deeper — to play, problem-solve, and communicate as they bring their ideas to life in a digital medium.

This course will continue to develop technical skills used as a foundation for most contemporary animation products today. Students will pay closer attention to small details through applying the principles of animation to make their characters, stories, and messaging come alive.

Short Films   0.5 Credit                                              Course No. 610      
Trimesters: 1    
                
Netflix, YouTube, Movies; we are living in the golden age of visual storytelling. Video is at the core of today’s media consumption and entertainment, and an increasingly essential form of artistic expression. 
This course focuses on the basics of narrative filmmaking, with strong emphasis on the development of character and story. Students will conceptualize their own original plot, write a screenplay, storyboard, and film their movie in a collaborative setting. Films will be based on/inspired by the work of a specific director, or genre of film.

Clay   0.5 Credit                                                                   Course No. 621                  
Trimesters: 1                                                                                  
With imagination, design knowledge and fundamental clay skills, transform a lump of clay into a beautiful ceramic artwork.

This course will focus on experiences in clay including hand building techniques and working on the potter’s wheel. View historic and contemporary ceramic work for inspiration. Surface treatments, additive, subtractive and textured elements as well as a variety of glaze applications will be considered and applied. 

ScuIpture   0.5 Credit                                                              Course No. 623      
Trimesters: 1

Sculpture is a unique and powerful art form in how it communicates — its three dimensional space and tactile surfaces offers dynamic connections both to the artist and the viewer.

This course focuses on three dimensional sculptures using a variety of mediums including clay, wood, wire and plaster. Explore the ability of adding, subtracting, and casting a variety surfaces to create innovative forms.  Students will create sculptures based on personal ideas and aesthetics.  

Advanced 3D Studio   0.5 Credit                                                   Course No. 628    Trimesters: 1   
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Clay or Sculpture. Both are highly recommended.

Advanced 3-D studio is an immersive art making experience to expand upon understanding of a variety of sculpture methods. 

This course teaches traditional techniques and processes while encouraging participants to explore unfamiliar approaches and visual languages that develop life-long-creative confidence. Students will develop a portfolio of representational and non-representational work using a variety of mediums including clay, metal, and plaster. Jewelry design, 3d printing, figurative, and wheel thrown forms will be explored.

Drawing   0.5 Credit                                                         Course No. 630
Trimesters: 1 

Secretly we all wish we could draw and often admire those who can draw portraits and doodle well. Develop the fundamentals of observational drawing that improves your art and has application to career paths such as engineering, architecture, and animation. 

This course will focus on landscape, still life, portrait drawings, and an introduction to color theory. Learn to draw what you see and get the necessary confidence and skills you need. You’ll be amazed at how logical the drawing process is, and how quickly you will improve.
 

Drawing Studio   0.5 Credit                                                          Course No. 632 
Trimesters: 1
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Drawing.
 
If you enjoyed the creative, collaborative comradery of a studio setting while engaging in the creative process, this is the class for you. We explore both historic and contemporary artworks to inspire and inform the creative process.

This course will focus on classical still life, the figure, and three-quarter view portraiture. 
Observational drawing and design techniques will be developed through the exploration of new media and color.
 

Painting Studio   0.5 Credit                                              Course No. 624
Trimesters: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing and Drawing Studio.

Now that you are skilled in charcoal, graphite and other dry media, welcome to the exciting practice of painting. Modern color theories of impressionism and tonalism are explored and easily applied to a variety of media such as watercolor and acrylic.

This course will focus on tools and techniques of painting portraits and landscapes.  Gain the knowledge you need to paint well quickly and fully enjoy your new found success.

Printmaking   0.5 Credit                                              Course No. 641     Trimesters: 1            
                                
Discover the wonderful world of printmaking and create art for a cause: peace building. Consider the impact media and arts have on the individual and how they can shape world peace.

This course focuses on various printmaking techniques including, relief prints, monotypes, and photo silkscreen. No prior art experience is necessary, but enthusiasm for self-expression and working collaboratively is essential in creating art for a global audience. Printmaking would be beneficial to students considering careers such as international relations, education, public policy, and the visual arts.  

Advanced Placement Studio Art Drawing   1 Credit                                         Course No. 639     Level: 1                                                   
Trimesters: 2                                              

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing, Drawing Studio and Painting Studio. Exceptions may be made for new students or students scheduled to take Painting Studio the same year as AP, with a portfolio review or teacher recommendation.

Take artistic expression to the next level through a sustained investigation to create a conceptually and aesthetically cohesive body of artwork.

This course focuses on the synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas in the creation of meaningful and personally relevant work. As students engage in the creative process they will be expected to document their progress and ideas, consider how the work should be presented, and write artist statements that articulate information for the viewer. Seniors will be assisted with preparing and submitting their existing art portfolios for the college admission process.