Arts

Grade	Drawing Painting	Ceramics Mixed Media	Photography Digital Arts
9	Drawing Drawing Studio Printmaking	Clay Sculpture	Photography: Darkroom to Digital Commercial Photography Animation I Animation II Short Films
10	Drawing Drawing Studio Printmaking Painting Studio	Clay Sculpture Advanced 3D Studio	Photography: Darkroom to Digital Commercial Photography Animation I Animation II Short Films
11	Drawing Drawing Studio Printmaking Painting Studio AP Studio Art Drawing	Clay Sculpture Advanced 3D Studio	Photography: Darkroom to Digital Commercial Photography Animation I Animation II Short Films
12	Drawing Drawing Studio Printmaking Painting Studio AP Studio Art Drawing**	Clay Sculpture Advanced 3D Studio	Photography: Darkroom to Digital Commercial Photography Animation I Animation II Short Films

**AP Studio Art Drawing requires at least three consecutive courses in this strand.

MAJOR GOALS OF THE ART PROGRAM

To help students:

Think divergently and become adept at idea generation.
Use creative problem-solving skills and techniques.
Critically analyze and interpret visual images using written and oral expression.
Communicate by using visual images to create an intended impact.
Identify and assess the quality of works of art with a sophisticated understanding of the elements and principles of artistic expression.
Develop awareness of our cultural heritage and the heritage of others.
Create with artistic vision by synthesizing skills and concepts.
Develop awareness of the unique relationship between art and technology.
Value the relationship between art and the environment.
Develop skill in and appreciation of fine craftsmanship.

In planning a program in Art, students should note the following and self-advocate to schedule the necessary elective offerings to achieve their goals:

Students wishing to pursue careers in applied and visual arts such as: film, photography, architecture, fashion merchandising, interior, industrial, entertainment, and graphic design are strongly encouraged to enroll in Drawing and Drawing Studio in order to build the necessary skills and portfolios needed for college.

The Drawing and Painting strand, including AP Studio Art Drawing, is highly recommended for students wishing to attend an Art program, college, or university after graduation.

DHHS requires 1.0 credits of Music, Theater or Art for graduation.

Art Department Philosophy

"Art is not a thing, it is a way." - Elbert Hubbard

Art is essential. The Art Department in Madison encourages and cultivates a unique sense of creativity in every student. Offering a wide variety of curricular pathways and experiences, each student can access their desired materials and methods while also developing a breadth of creative and technical skills from the traditional to the digital and commercial. We seek to create confident and curious minds prepared to craft the future of their dreams with passionate, fearless originality.

Delivery/Method / Values

Our growth-based approach ensures that each student is met at their skill level and receives personalized and specific feedback to help them develop as artists. We encourage risk-taking in a safe environment. Students are exposed to a wide range of artistic methods and materials so that every student can personalize their success in the arts.

With an emphasis on process, investigation, and reflection along with the elements and principles of design, we seek to endow every student with the tools to pursue, apply, and appreciate excellence in the visual arts as an integral part of their personal and professional journey. The creative thinking developed in the arts: holistic problem solving, empathy, pattern reading, and visualization of complex ideas, coupled with those formed in the core educational curriculum, is what will prepare our students to meet the emerging challenges of the future.

Courses

Photography: Darkroom to Digital

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

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

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.

Short Films

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 a 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.

Printmaking

Printmaking

0.5 Credit
Course No. 641
Trimesters: 1

Discover the wonderful world of printmaking and create art for a cause: peacebuilding. 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.

Animation II

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 by applying the principles of animation to make their characters, stories, and messaging come alive.

Clay

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.

Sculpture

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 offer 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 of surfaces to create innovative forms. Students will create sculptures based on personal ideas and aesthetics.

Advanced 3D Studio

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

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

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

Painting Studio

0.5 Credit
Course No. 624
Trimesters: 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing.

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.

Advanced Placement Studio Art Drawing

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.