Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Department is dedicated to excellence in music and visual
art. The program is designed to find the creative spirit in each individual.
Students are encouraged to try a variety of fine arts while at school to
enrich their understanding of the elements, principles and expressive qualities
of the arts, as well as teach the appreciation of the art of others. The
program can also provide a sound base for future creative pursuits. We teach
that the arts enrich the quality of life.
620/ STUDIO ART I
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none 1 credit
This course provides the required foundation for advanced art classes, in that
it seeks to equip the student with a wide range of art processes with which to
create artwork, as well as sound methods for critiquing, revising, and discussing
artwork. Fundamentals of design, color, and composition are integrated into each
assignment when appropriate. A broad range of media and techniques are covered.
Realistic drawing and painting tends to be the major focus of the course, combined
with shorter units in sculpture, printmaking and crafts. Weekly sketchbook assignments.
625/STUDIO ART II
Grades 10-12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 or 1 credit
higher in Studio Art I or 90 or higher in any other 1 credit,
Level III art course
This course is for students who want to work in more depth. The curriculum
will prepare students for advanced, formal art education. While a range
of media and skills in 2D and 3D are covered, it is the students’ own expressive
voice that will be examined. Visits to local artists’ studios, galleries
and museums, and the opportunities for public exhibitions are all integral
to this course. The course will provide the student with opportunities for
personal and collaborative approaches.
630/ STUDIO ART III
Grades 11-12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 or 1 credit
higher in Studio Art II
This course is intended for advanced art students who are ready to explore
highly personal avenues, building upon the skills acquired in previous studies.
Students often have the freedom and responsibility to respond to assignments
with their own choices of media, approach and content. Interaction with
outside artists, exhibitions, and public projects are encouraged. Students
may be able to begin their college portfolio with permission of the instructor.
609/ GREEN ART
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none 1
credit
This course provides the required foundation for advanced art classes. In Green Art students will have the opportunity to explore the natural world outside of the classroom. They will use environmentally-friendly and place-based materials including found/recycled objects, excavated local clay, paper, natural dyes, and other organic supplies. Students will learn about the eco-art movement as they develop into eco-artists. In addition to working with found materials, students will create art that is based on thoughtful observations of their surroundings; art that informs others of ecological issues and art that results in positive change. As in Studio I, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking and collage will be integral to the curriculum.
635/ ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART
Grades 11-12 Level I
Prerequisite: Studio Art III 1 credit
or permission of instructor.
This course follows the program of study defined by the Advanced
Placement College Program of the Educational Testing Service. As the composition
of this curriculum changes from year to year, students are advised to review
the AP booklet before enrolling. Information can be found at the Advanced
Placement College Board site: www.collegboard.com/student/testing/ap/about/html
This class may be of assistance in college application planning.
It also provides a level of comfort for students continuing with college-level
Studio Art classes.
607/ DIGITAL GRAPHIC ART I
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 or ½ credit
higher in Studio Art
This course will be an introduction to graphic arts on the computer.
Students will learn photo touchup, advertising techniques, digital fine
art and the input and output of data using printers and scanners. Students
will work on Macintosh computers with Adobe CS3 software, which includes
InDesign and PhotoShop. The course teaches the use of digital cameras and
the incorporation of digital photography into artwork. Art will be burned
onto CD’s and students will learn how to present work and cut a beveled
mat. A final project will be required. This course is also offered for ½
technology credit under course #1067.
608/DIGITAL GRAPHIC ART II
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 or ½ credit
higher in Digital Graphic Art I
This course will be a technical continuation of Digital Graphic
Art I. Students will increase their knowledge and skill levels with the
Adobe CS3 software. They will design a package and learn how to market
a product. InDesign will be used to produce a multiple page book. Logos,
business cards and three-dimensional art will also be covered. There will
be both group and individual projects. A final project will be required.
This course is also offered for ½ technology credit under course #1068.
619/ PRINTMAKING
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
This course focuses on the experimental and variable nature of printmaking
and provides an introduction to options within the scope of this media.
Students will learn to create multiples of their original drawings and designs
on and off the press through dry point etching, monotype, woodcut,
linocut, and collograph. A journal and portfolio may be required. In
addition, some out of class drawing and designing will provide the preliminary
artwork needed for specific printmaking topics.
610/ DRAWING
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
This course focuses on two-dimensional work in a variety of media, including
ink, pastel, paint, charcoal and pencil. Basic principles of design, perspective,
shading and color will be covered. Students will draw from life (figure,
still life, and landscape), and from the imagination. Out-of-class sketchbook
assignments and home projects may be assigned. A culminating exam project
will be required.
611/ MULTI-CULTURAL ART
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None 1 credit
This course provides the required foundation for advanced art classes. It will introduce students to the art and craft of other cultures, including Native American, Mexican, Chinese, Tibetan, and African countries. Students will learn the history behind the crafts and learn many new skills that may include mask-making, Chinese silk painting, Native American pottery, brush painting and folk art. Guest speakers will be invited to demonstrate their craft and share their cultural gifts. Media will include clay, silk, papier-mâché, beads and plaster. A journal in and out of the classroom may be required.
615/CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE I
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None ½ credit
This course focuses entirely on three-dimensional work. Media available
for sculpture include clay, paper, cardboard, papier-mâché, plaster, wood,
and assemblage (mixed media). The fundamental hand building processes of
pinch, coil, and slab are taught in the clay unit. Glazing is covered as
well. Sketchbook assignments may be required. There will be a culminating
exam project at the end of the course.
617/CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE II
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75 ½ credit
in Ceramics and Sculpture I
This course builds on the three-dimensional principles of art introduced
in Ceramics and Sculpture I. Projects will be more challenging and personal.
Additional media will be explored. Students will learn to use the potter’s
wheel as the basis of sculpture and functional pottery. A culminating final
group project may be required.
640/ PHOTOGRAPHY I
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Studio Art I ½ credit
In this, the first of a series of three courses, the student will be
introduced to the tools and processes of photography as a medium of creative
expression. Through the creation of cyanotypes, handmade negatives, and
pinhole cameras, the student will come to understand the nature of the medium.
The student will then learn how to manage film exposure
in the 35mm camera, and to create quality photographic prints using subtle
emphases that will manipulate the viewer’s perception. This course requires
out-of-classroom time for shooting, and the student must be capable of working
independently in the photographic darkroom. A 35mm film camera is needed
for the course.
645/ PHOTOGRAPHY II
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Photography I ½ credit
In this intermediate photography course, the student will learn to creatively
manipulate the photographic image for effect. Topics will include the effective
use of light, manipulation of time and place, hand coloring, toning, and
multiple imagery. This course requires out-of-classroom time for shooting,
and the student must be capable of working independently in the photographic
darkroom. Class time will involve lectures, demonstrations, discussion,
and critiques. A research presentation and a final exam will be included.
A 35mm film camera is needed for the course.
650/ PHOTOGRAPHY III
Grades 11-12 Level II
Prerequisite: Photography II ½ credit
In this advanced class, students will discover color as an element of
the photographic image. Using digital cameras, students will explore color
as it is found in nature, and as it is created in the studio. Other topics
will include photojournalism, the portrait in the studio and on locations,
and the studio still life. Students will learn to acquire, manage, and print
their images electronically. This course may be followed by a semester of
independent work in photography for an additional ½ credit.
612/ A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
(Online Course)
Grades 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: completion of an art credit ½ elective credit
In this online course, the student will explore the unique role photography
has played in entertaining, persuading, and informing the public. The student
will become aware of how his perception of culture and events is influenced
by the recorded images of the period. This course will explore the popularity
of the medium and its impact on society, as well as society’s influence
on photography’s growth. Topics will include photography and war, politics,
marketing, global events, and entertainment. There will be extensive reading
and research, online discussions, videos, an oral presentation, and an exam.
The student must have the ability to work independently, and have access
to a computer.
1064/ DIGITAL CINEMA
Grades 10 – 12 Level III
Prerequisite: Studio 1 for an art credit ½ credit
No prerequisite for a Technology credit
Please see description on page 39 under Technology
1065/ ADVANCED DIGITAL CINEMA
Grades: 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Digital Cinema l ½ credit
Please see description on page 39 under Technology
660/ ART HISTORY I
Grades 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: prior completion of a visual ½ credit
arts credit
This is a chronological survey of Art History that begins with Neolithic
Cave Paintings and ends with the mid-Nineteenth Century. There is an emphasis
on European and American painting, sculpture and architecture. Periods of
study will include Greek and Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, the Colonial
Period and the Hudson River School. Students will be introduced to the
concepts of analysis and interpretation. This is a challenging class that
will require a great deal of memorization, research and writing. At the
end of this class, students will give a presentation on an artist of their
choice.
This course is also offered for ½ social studies credit under course
#364.
392/ ART HISTORY II
Grades 11-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Art History I; prior ½ credit
completion of a visual arts credit
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed
Art History I. This class is a chronological survey of painting, sculpture
and architecture from the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. The periods
presented in this class will include Impressionism, Photography, Modern
and
Contemporary Art. We will also attempt to answer the question, “What
is a masterpiece?” This is a demanding course that requires memorization,
analysis and interpretation This course is also offered for ½ social studies
credit under
course #365.
621/DANCE I
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: teacher permission ½ credit
This dance class designed for beginners to learn the fundamentals of
ballet and Jazz. Each class is divided into three segments: warm-up, combinations
across the floor, and patterns in the center. Students will also learn choreographed
dances for performance. The main goals of this class are to improve coordination,
flexibility, and stage presence. Students are reminded that they are required
to take a minimum of two quarters of classroom PE. Dance is also available
for PE credit under course #818.
622/DANCE II
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Dance I or ½ credit
teacher’s permission
This is an Intermediate/Advanced dance class designed for students
who have taken Dance I or who have previous dance experience. The emphasis
in this class will be on improving technique in ballet and Jazz. Students
will learn choreographed pieces for performance. Students will have the
opportunity to create their own original dances. Students are reminded that
they are required to take a minimum of two quarters of classroom PE. Dance
is also available for PE credit under course #825.
731/THEATRE LAB
Grade 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: Application to Director ½ credit
of Theatre
Theatre Lab is training during non-traditional hours. Students will work
on all theatre projects for a semester choosing special emphasis in management,
acting, design, or technical theatre. Special projects in directing are
available for advanced students and with the approval of the Director of
Theatre. Students will work in a wide range of theatre styles on productions
chosen from the great body of international dramatic literature. Theatre
Lab is project-based learning with reflective assessment. The course may
be repeated upon renewal of the application.