There are three Art & Design courses that meet the requirements for the Fine Arts Credit. These foundational courses are: 5002 Studio in Art, 5006 Studio in Creative Crafts, and 5008 Studio in Media Arts. Students taking any one of these comprehensive courses are eligible to take art elective courses that require a prerequisite.
5002 Studio in Art
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
Offering: 40 weeks, full year
Reading Level: Mixed
This is a full year foundation course with an emphasis on studio problem-based learning activities that explore the electives of the Art Dept. Students will work on a variety of project-based activities utilizing a variety of mediums, such as pencils, charcoal, pastels, water-colors, acrylic paints, pen and three-dimensional materials. Students will be required to demonstrate creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills using critical thinking and higher-order thinking. Students will be expected to communicate and collaborate regularly regarding their artwork and presentation of which will take place reiterating basic and digital literacy skills. At the end of this course students will be able to identify the Elements of Art and Principles of Design; demonstrate their creative and personal artistic expression; demonstrate the ability to be independent and self-directed learners; develop an appreciation for the history of art and art-related careers; and demonstrate an understanding of global and aesthetic awareness. This course meets the Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
5006 Studio in Creative Crafts
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
40 weeksOffering: Full year
Reading Level: Mixed
The Studio in Creative Crafts is a foundation course intended to meet the Fine Arts requirement for students in grades 9-12. This survey course will meet the learning styles of all students by allowing for both traditional and non-traditional modes of learning through a deeper exploration of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Lessons will include creating art in areas of textiles, bookmaking, paper crafts, fiber arts and other 3-D media. Students will be engaged in a broad exploration of personal ideas and imagery created within the spectrum of Creative Crafts. This course meets the Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
5008 Studio in Media Arts
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Mixed
The Studio in Media Arts Course is a foundation course in-tended to meet the Fine Arts requirement for students in grades 9-12. This survey course will meet the learning styles of all students by allowing for both traditional and non-traditional modes of learning through a deeper exploration of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Lessons will include both computer and fine arts applications, art learning resources that support both visual and media arts history, aesthetic awareness, creative and performing based projects, careers in visual and media arts, traditional and contemporary methods of presentation and various formative and summative assessments. Students will be engaged in a broad exploration of personal ideas and imagery created within the spectrum of the visual and media arts disciplines. Classes may be taught in art studio classrooms, computer labs designed for Media Arts instruction. Students will use a mix of hands-on and digital tools. This course meets the Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
5102 Drawing and Painting
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 85 % average in Studio in Art, Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and/or teacher recommendation with student contract
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: High
This is a full-year course recommended for prospective art and design majors and is devoted to advanced exploration and experimentation in drawing and painting media, along with developing considerable efficiency in one or more major media. At the end of the course the student will be able to: demonstrate increased skill and knowledge of various paint medium such as ink washes, watercolor, mixed media, and acrylics; demonstrate a more extensive understanding of the art process by virtue of using rough sketches, visual research, and extensive planning to complete several projects; exhibit improvement in visual fundamentals such as lighting, perspective and proportion as well as new concepts of chiaroscuro and foreshortening; identify various artists by their style, use these styles to correlate compositional discoveries in their own work; prepare, present and display finished artwork.
5244 Sculpture
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Average
This course explores the elements of shape and form through the creation and development of three-dimensional artworks. Students will be exposed to a number of past and present sculptors. At the end of this course the student will be able to: demonstrate self-expression through the use of a variety of materials such as clay, wood, wire, paper mache, natural and found objects; demonstrate the technique of carving, modeling, casting, and assemblage; develop problem-solving skills when working from historic sculptural works to create their own works; acquire a greater understanding of sculpture’s role in our society and environment, and prepare, present and display finished artwork. This is a hands-on course that requires the student to actively participate and self-evaluate on a daily basis.
5122 Graphic Design
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% in Studio in Art, Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts., and/or teacher recommendation with contract.
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Average/High
This is a full-year class that communicates art and design with technology. This course emphasizes commercial design elements of visual communication with the intent to expand students’ media and design literacy skills. In this class, students will use design as a creative process in visual communication. The students will explore various methods used to create and combine words, symbols, and images towards the development of a visual representation of ideas and messages. The student can expect to solve visual problems aided by instruction about the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. A variety of media will be explored with the emphasis on two-dimensional images. Topics of study include Layout and Design, Typography, Illustration, Corpo-rate Identity, Computer Technology: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Adobe Illustrator CS6, Digital Imaging, Copyright Laws, Printing Process and Procedures. This class promotes 21st Century learning skills through the illustrative visual image. At the end of this course, students will be able to practice presenting and displaying finished artwork.
5132 Creative Ceramics I
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% in Studio in Art, Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts.
Reading Level: Average
20 weeks
Offering: One semester
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of ceramics and techniques of rendering in a 3D space. The students will learn various hand-building techniques associated with the medium of clay. Students will be able to focus on the technical, historical, aesthetic, cultural and contemporary concerns of clay workers and sculptors of past and present to assist in shaping their own personal style. At the end of this course the student will be able to: demonstrate the numerous clay techniques and processes used in working with clay; acquire and apply vocabulary of clay usage and properties; research and study ceramic techniques and firing methods; evaluate pottery and sculpture according to its craftsmanship, function and technique; collaborate with their peers; demonstrate analytical skills towards the success of a 3D form and its aesthetic qualities; continue to use innovative and critical thinking skills to navigate through the ceramic process; and prepare, present and display finished art.
5142 Creative Ceramics 2
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% in Creative Ceramics I, Studio in Art or Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and/or teacher recommendation
Reading Level: Average
20 weeks
Offering: Spring semester
This course is designed to further explore the techniques and concepts introduced in Creative Ceramics 1. At the end of this course, students will: understand and self evaluate at a higher skill and technical level, all aspects of clay preparation, clay construction and glazing applications, of which will be incorporated into a series of five pieces that reflect a common theme; prepare, present and display finished artwork.
5126 Cartooning
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Full semester
Reading Level: Average
This course focuses on the development of cartoon characters and storylines. Students will be self-directed in researching, designing, creating and manipulating their characters in a variety of mediums including: traditional two-dimensional pencil and ink, computer rendering and three-dimensional constructions. Students will problem solve independently and collaboratively to hypothesize, experiment, critically think and construct ideas through project-based learning. At the end of this course, students will: demonstrate a progression from portrait and figure proportions to exaggerated expressions and figures; demonstrate effective cartoon lettering and perspective to supplement their action figure; create recognizable characters of famous people; produce professional style comic strips, single panel cartoon and graphic novel pages; and prepare, present and display finished artwork. Priority given to students who met fine arts req. With Studio in Media Arts.
5172 Animation
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Spring semester
This course focuses on the movement and filming of characters, cartooning and storylines using traditional and digital media manipulation techniques. Students will imagine, communicate, experiment, and synthesize their ideas through digital literacy. At the end of this course students will be able to demonstrate a progression from fundamental movements of squash and stretch and metamorphosis, to complex character walk cycles; be introduced to the animation software Macromedia Flash, Blender, Maya; complete individual animations, from concept to drawing to sound, to final animation; and prepare, present and display finished artwork. Priority given to students who met fine arts requirements with Studio in Media Arts.
5007 Art & Game Design
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Semester
Reading Level: Average
What does a game designer do? Students in this course will invent characters, develop stories and settings, learn game theory and gameplay. Short animations will include dynamic graphics, levels, challenges and bonuses. Students will use Construct 2, an HTML5-based 2D drag-and-drop game editor. (Students do not need to know how to write code or be able to draw).
5005 Advanced Studio in Art
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisites: Studio in Art, Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts. 80% average in Studio in Art or Studio in Media Arts and Creative Ceramics I and/or teacher recommendation.
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading level: Mixed
This course is designed to further develop students’ conceptual ideas through an advanced understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. The course will focus on further developing students’ skills and techniques in the Two and Three-Dimensional Arts and the Electronic Arts before moving on to an advanced elective. Students will work on project-based activities that focus on creativity, innovation, responsibility, independence and self-directed learning. At the end of this course students will be able to: demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; execute and solve problems through the creative process; articulate and communicate their personal expression in the visual arts; identify various artist styles and art historical periods; present the beginnings of the portfolio development process; prepare, present and display.
5171 Advanced Animation
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: Animation
20 weeks
Offering: Spring semester
Reading Level: Average
This course explores additional media used in Animation. Students will be aware and use creative problem-solving skills including: communication and collaboration, critical thinking and creative/innovative problem-solving. The media arts room and projects will entitle us: flexibility and adaptability, to be innovative, self-directed, to be aware of social and cross-cultural skills; to enhance our productivity, leadership, accountability and responsibility. At the end of this course, students will be able to work independently during class, undertake and create a series of animation pieces related to their individual style of work, demonstrate self-motivational skills and the completion of long-term goals and choose from creative and advanced styles of animation, such as Paper/Cell Animation, Computer Animation and Claymation.
5174 Studio in Photography 1 in Art
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Average/High
This course will further explore visual communication through the use of the camera as a tool. Students will use both natural and artificial light as the medium. They will create a series of photographic works that push their conceptual ideas through an advanced understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Students will examine contemporary artists and the visual narratives they present in our global society. This course is designed for the serious art student seeking to create a digital photographic portfolio. Students will be expected to participate in project-based-problem-solving activities where creativity, innovation, responsibility, independence and self-directed learning will be explored. At the end of this course students will be able to; demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; execute and solve problems through the creative process; articulate and communicate their personal expression in the visual arts; identify various artist styles and art historical periods; prepare, present and display finished artwork.
5176 Studio in Photography 2 in Art
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% average in Studio in Photography I
Reading Level: Average/High
20 weeks
Offering: One semester
This course further explores visual media communication through the use of the camera as a tool to create photographic compositions with an emphasis on media arts portfolio build-ing. Students will use both natural and artificial light as a medium. They will create a series of photographic works that pushes their literal and conceptual ideas through advanced understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Students will experience: mounting, framing, displaying and showing photographic artworks in a gallery setting. Students will examine historical and contemporary artists and the visual narratives they present in our global society. This course is designed for the serious art student seeking to create a digital photographic media portfolio. Students will be expected to participate in project-based- problem-solving activities where creativity, innovation, responsibility, independence and self-directed learning will be explored. At the end of this course students will be able to; demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; solve problems through the creative process; articulate and communicate their personal expression in the visual arts; identify various artist styles and art historical periods; prepare, present and display finished artwork.
5202 Advanced Art 1
Grade: 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% average in Drawing & Painting, Studio in Art, or Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and/or teacher recommendation with student contract.
Reading Level: Average/High
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
This is a full-year course with emphasis on moving towards self-directed projects and portfolio development. Students will create works based on the understanding of architectural space, sculptural forms as they apply to interior, exterior, still life and figurative compositions. The use of digital resources will be discussed and used as it relates to the application of the student’s individual projects. At the end of this course the student will be able to demonstrate drawing and painting techniques in various artistic styles; plan and move towards self-evaluation in what becomes the final expression of the materials suited to their individual techniques and skill; produce 10-12 portfolio ready pieces that encompass both breadth and thematic images.
5212 Advanced Art 2
Grade: 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 85% in Drawing & Painting, Studio in Art, or Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and Advanced Art I.
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Average/High
A full-year course for the self-directed student emphasizing continued development of a college portfolio. At the end of this course students will be able to: develop a body of work that demonstrates additional risk-taking and problem-solving in technical and expressive modes of making art; visually communicate and adapt one or more of the following: abstractions of mechanical objects, psychological imagery, architectural space and social concerns; and prepare, present and display finished artwork.
5201 (AP) Advanced Placement in Studio Art
Grade: 12
Exam: AP Exam
Prerequisite: 85% average in Drawing & Painting, Studio Art, Studio in Creative Crafts, Studio in Media Arts.
40 weeks
Offering: Full year
Reading Level: Average/High
This course is part of the College Board Program giving students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies and receive advanced placement or credit upon entering college. This credit applies to those attending non-art schools and seeking a non-art degree. The course is designed as an intensive one-year program or may be extended over a two year period of Advanced Art in the junior year and AP in the senior year. Students need to be self-motivated and able to set long term goals. Strictly mandated is an established portfolio with a minimum of 12 images reflecting the student’s breadth of experiences with a variety of materials and techniques. These images should be thoughtfully planned. It’s strongly recommended that the students contact the teacher prior to enrollment as the instructor needs to review the portfolio. Upon completion of a satisfactory portfolio, the student will then pursue the completion of a concentration. A concentration is a body of related works based on an individual’s interest in a particular idea expressed visually. The process focuses on personal artistic investigation, growth and discovery. This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement in Studio Art exam. It is expected that students will sit for the AP exam in May. The AP Portfolio is the state-approved assessment for the Arts Pathway (Exam fee approximately $95.)
5302 Portfolio Prep
Grade: 12
Exam: None
Prerequisite: Studio in Art or Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and one full credit in any art elective(s) and/or teacher rec with student contract.
20 weeks
Offering: One semester
Reading Level: Average
The portfolio prep class is geared for highly motivated seniors interested in preparing and strengthening their portfolio. This course helps to ensure that students are prepared to meet their individual artistic goals after high school. Students will create their own objectives for the class based on what they need for their portfolios, their chosen medium, and areas of visual interest. This is an excellent opportunity to take risks and try out ideas that have not been suitable for the projects given in previous art courses. Students must be proficient in the mediums they choose, and have the initiative to take it to a higher level with the teacher as a mentor. This framework provides the student with time to create the art they want while obtaining the feedback they need to improve it to make it better. Areas of concentration may include but are not limited to Drawing, Paint, 2D design, mixed media, sculpture, printmaking, and photography. Because this course is meant to supplement the intermediate and advanced curriculums of the art department, students will take this class in addition to the art classes they are taking in their sequence, not as a replacement for an advanced level of study. Students interested in art should consider taking this class even if they are not planning on pursuing an art career or majoring in art in college as many colleges are now providing scholarship money to students who submit their art portfolio as a supplement to their application. Portfolio Prep is a supplemental course. Students must take this course in conjunction with another art elective, not as a replacement.
5173 Studio in Film
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: None
20 weeks
Offering: Spring semester
Reading Level: Average
This course will focus on creative film making. Students will become engaged with the artistic language of film. Through a variety of visualization exercises students will learn storytelling and expression as they develop their skill with the camera. Students will be producing and editing their own film concepts which can range from narrative to abstract pieces. Emphasis will be placed on learning computer editing, lighting, sound, technical camera skills and collaboration in project-based learning setting. Students will be self-directed in imagining, experimenting and producing short and long sequenced films. They will problem solve using media and digital literacy. At the end of this course students will have written, shot and edited a 5-10 minute video.
5180 Advanced Media Arts
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Exam: Local
Prerequisite: 80% average in Studio in Art or Studio in Media Arts or Studio in Creative Crafts, and/or teacher rec.
Reading Level: Average/High
20 weeks
Offering: Half-year
This course is intended to explore more advanced concepts in Media Arts through the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Continued access to large format and 3D printing will be available to students when creating works. Students will be expected to participate in project-based problem-solving activities where creativity, innovation, responsibility, independence and self-directed learning will be explored. Students will explore and create traditional and contemporary modes of visual communication through various computer applications to include, but not limited to, Adobe Master Suite, Photoshop, Introduction to Web Design, Introduction to Gaming Design, Introduction to Film and Introduction to Animation. At the end of this course, students will be able to: respond to a collection of media-based artwork that demonstrates an understanding of social, cultural and/ or political experiences, demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; solve problems through the creative process, articulate and communicate their personal expression in the Media Arts, identify various artist styles and art historical periods; prepare, present and display finished artwork.