Art

Teaching Staff

Rebecca Caridad
Amy Mount
Christina Wolf, Department Coordinator

Department Goals

Communicate visually through use of varied media and techniques including:

  • drawing
  • ceramics
    		•
  • graphics
  • painting
    		•
  • photography
    		•
  • computers
  • print making
    		•
  • sculpture
    		•

    Read Visual Images:

    • Interpret/analyze works of art and visual images seen in everyday life.
    Have an understanding of art practices across different cultures and time periods.

    The art program offers diversified opportunities to any student who desires to participate in a program of creative self-expression and visual literacy. A wide variety of media is utilized including painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphics, fabric decoration, jewelry making, etc. Also introduced is material concerning art careers, art history, and art criticism.

    Course Offerings

    Visual Arts I (5 credits)
     The purpose of this course is to provide a basic foundation in the understanding of art with exploration in design, painting, sculpture, drawing, pottery, printmaking, art history, and art criticism. Students learn how to visually express themselves and understand what other artists are saying. It is a course for everyone, not just those who think they have talent. No prerequisite. Course open to all students in grades 9-12.

    Visual Arts Seminar (5 credits)
    This course is open to anyone who has completed Visual Arts I. The second and third year students increase levels of mastery in the following areas: design concepts; technical skills, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture; art historical concepts related to media and/or style; and, aesthetic development by means of formal art criticism and formal art appreciation and visual awareness. The fourth level will allow students to create in a chosen medium and/or pursue a particular theme. This level is largely student-directed.

    Crafts (5 credits)
    Crafts provides students with the opportunity to work in a variety of contemporary applied art areas such as jewelry making, pottery, paper decoration, bookmaking, fabric decoration, and fibers. Emphasis on the study of design principles will provide a foundation for the many things the student will make. No prerequisite. Course open to all students in grades 9-12.

    Photography I (5 credits)
    This course provides the student with basic mechanics of camera operation, film development, print enlargement and lighting. Projects will include lessons in the basics plus assignments which will give the student opportunities to take pictures which express his or her interests, attitudes and feelings. Some work outside of school will be required. Course open to all students in grades 9-12.

    Photography II (5 credits)
    This course takes the students who have mastered the basics of Photography I on to a more in-depth, individualized study of the art of photography. Assignments will involve both fine art and commercial aspects of the medium both silverbased and digital photography and the study of the psychology of visual perception. Photography I is a prerequisite.

    Communications/Graphic Design (5 credits)
    This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore the communication skills applicable to the print media including magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and the like. An investigation of the psychology of visual perception will help the graphic art student to understand how a person organizes visual elements when looking at pictures so that he or she can create designs that the viewer will understand. Computer use will comprise a substantial portion of the course, but this is not a course in computer graphics. Previous art experience is not required since the basis of the course is founded in basic design concepts. Course open to all students in grades 9-12.

    Technical Drawing (5 credits)
    This course provides students with varied computer skills necessary to render two and three-dimensional technical illustrations for a broad range of purposes. Since the computer has become the primary means by which technical drawings are rendered, empahsis will be placed on proficiency in using the computer as a drawing tool. Emphasis will also be placed on the artistic qualities of final illustrations. Please note - this is not a mechanical drawing, drafting or engineering course.