The Advanced Photography course is designed for the serious student who has demonstrated motivation and self-direction, and may be pursuing a career in fine arts. Students will be expected to pursue their own artistic visual direction while refining technical skills learned during previous courses. Projects will show conceptual higher order thinking skills that explore various issues in combination with exploration of new materials and techniques. At the end of the semester, the student will have a professional quality portfolio that will reflect the goals and objectives set by both the student and teacher.
Pre: Successful completion of Photography and consent of instructor
Credit: 1 E/S/ACP Gr: 11 & 12

The advanced studio class is designed for the serious student. It will allow for developing advanced skills and visual thinking in drawing or painting. This class will enable highly motivated students to demonstrate an evolution of thought and the development of a body of work. A portfolio will grow out of a preplanned set of goals and objectives set by the student and teacher, and will address technical and conceptual issues. The student may choose to concentrate in drawing or in painting while developing a personal style. Upon completion of this class, it is expected that a strong portfolio will result for application to art colleges.
Pre: Successful completion of Drawing
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr: 11, 12

A student in the Studio Art class as a junior would take Advanced Placement Studio as a senior and work to complete a portfolio for AP College Board submission. There are about 28 pieces required to complete a Drawing or 2-D design portfolio and it takes two years to complete the three-section structure of the portfolios (5 actual quality works, 12 pieces of a concentration accompanied by a written statement, and 12 works for the breadth section.) The student also has the option to complete some of the work over the summer. The Advanced Placement Studio curriculum addresses this task but it falls short on completing the necessary quantity of high quality works for the portfolio.
Pre: Successful completion of Studio Art and consent of instructor
Credit: 1 E/AP Gr: 11, 12

Art 1 is aimed at familiarizing students with the world of visual art through production, evaluation, the study of art history, and aesthetics. Students primarily investigate drawing and design, but are introduced to creative problem solving in the design and execution of 2-D and 3-D visual concepts in a variety of media. The course is designed to increase the student’s ability to see, and to creatively express him/herself using a variety of drawing materials. Analysis of the structure of a work of art, critical evaluation, and development of an aesthetics sense are primary goals of the course. Creative, and carefully crafted solutions to involved homework assignments are extremely important for growth. The class is open to all students regardless of previous art experience, and is necessary for those who plan on taking subsequent art courses, for which Art I is the prerequisite.
Pre: None
Credit: 1 E/SCP Gr: 9, 10, 11, 12

Art History is a course surveying the history of art, its origins, influences, and the artists who helped shape its development. History, critique, analysis, and discussion of 2D and 3D art forms as well as architecture will unfold through digital slides and videos, along with the active discourse about contemporary issues in the world of visual arts. From prehistoric origins to the history of western art, this course will also address influences of world cultures. Students learn the vocabulary and interpretive skills and tools necessary to decipher the meaning, creative techniques, and historical relevance of art work. Students will demonstrate their understanding through verbal presentations, art making, essays, and digital presentations about artists and styles.
Pre: None
Credit: 1 E/ACP/SCP Gr: 9,10,11,12

Ceramic I students study the sculptural qualities of useful art objects. They develop a variety of skills in handbuilding and decorative techniques, utilizing specific tools and materials for each process. Design of utility pieces is emphasized as are surface / form relationships. Creative solutions to practical problems are sought. The history of ceramics is introduced.
Pre: Successful completion of Art 1, Sculpture or Drawing
Credit: 1 E/SCP Gr. 10, 11, 12

Ceramics II students, through the continued and advanced study of ceramics materials and processes, students will apply original ideas derived from drawings and from nature to functional and non-functional form. Further, students will learn about and understand ideas and issues from the history of art and master artists, applying this knowledge to their own ceramic work, using hand building, sculptural, and wheel throwing methods. Each student will be responsible for a one-person display of work and an artist’s statement by the end of the semester.
Pre: Successful completion of Art I, Sculpture or Drawing, & Ceramics
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr. 10,11,12

In Drawing, students learn to critically observe and to creatively express those observations. Also, students learn creative thinking skills and strategies as they apply the rules and language of design to composition. This course is a rigorous introduction to the materials, process and \ composition of drawing. Drawing from observation, developing an understanding of composition, and working on extended projects are key components of work in the studio, while keeping a sketchbook and developing studies are the basis for work outside of class. Students are challenged to create expressive and original artwork using a variety of materials including graphite, ink, charcoal, pastels, colored pencil, and mixed media.
Pre: Successful completion of Art 1
Credit: 1 E/SCP Gr. 10,11,12

Electronic Design teaches students the fundamentals of artistic design using computers. The class will progress from learning basic computer operation to understanding a variety of software packages. Students will explore visual communication technology through projects in desktop publishing, textile design, image manipulation, package and logo design. The course will develop students’ understanding of and skills in visual literacy. Class critiques and written evaluations are used to build students’ presentation skills. The final project of this course is a portfolio of work demonstrating design competence and computer literacy. The software Illustrator, Photoshop and Pagemaker will be taught.
Pre: Successful completion of Art I
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr: 10, 11, 12

Electronic Design II builds on the skills learned in Electronic Design I and explores more advanced concepts in computer design. The class gets more involved with Photoshop and advanced software techniques. Students develop their design skills through more involved projects in the areas of: desktop publishing, illustration, package design and interactive design. The course will develop students’ understanding of and skills in visual literacy. Class critiques and written evaluations are used to build students’ presentation skills. The final product of this course is a portfolio of work demonstrating design competence and computer literacy.
Pre: Successful completion of Electronics Design I
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr: 10, 11, 12

The painting course offers the interested art student his/her first in-depth study of the application of water-soluble painting media, including watercolor and acrylic paints. The course reinforces what the student has learned previously regarding color theory, design, composition and problem solving and is designed to encourage creativity. Students are introduced to prominent historical and contemporary painters and movements. Aesthetic judgment and the evaluation of their own work and the work of others is an important aspect of the course. Drawing skills are required and necessary to complete assignments.
Pre: Successful completion of Art 1 & Drawing
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr: 10, 11, 12

In photography students learn the fundamental concepts and techniques of fine art photography, including aesthetics and technical aspects as a basis for creating a photographic image. In addition, students explore the intricacies of camera operation, basic composition, developing and printing. By using a variety of photographic techniques students will be challenged to investigate the photographic medium and consider its application to the making of art.
Pre: Successful completion of Art 1, Drawing or Electronic Design
Credit: 1 E/ACP Gr. 10, 11, 12