Art courses offered in the Curriculum Guide

Studio In Art (1 credit)

This course is one of the two basic introductory Art courses offered at the high school. Studio gives a basic introduction to the visual arts in the areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, illustration, sculpture and ceramics, and uses a wide range of materials such as paint, pastels, clay, markers, and wire. There is a strong emphasis placed upon an understanding of the basic elements of art, which include, line, texture, color, shape, space, perspective, and composition. Other areas of instruction include basic art history, aesthetic judgment and criticism, and the role of art in society. This is a full year course.

Studio in Ceramics (1 credit)

Ceramics is a course designed to familiarize students in the technique of hand building clay forms, in areas of coil technique, slab technique, wedging clay, multiform pottery, wheel thrown pottery, kiln preparation and preparation of greenware and bisque ware, and other techniques in ceramic sculpture. Recommended for 10th - 12th graders.

Studio In Drawing & Painting (1 credit)

This introductory course is designed to acquaint the student with many different materials used in drawing and painting. Included are pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylics and watercolors. The student explores a variety of techniques utilizing these materials focusing on the following areas: landscape, still life, figure and 20th Century art styles.

Recommended for 10th - 12th graders.

Studio in Drawing & Painting II (1 credit)

This advanced level course is designed for those students who are interested in further developing their drawing & painting skills. The course content is similar to that of the Studio In Drawing & Painting course. However, each area will be developed in greater depth with an emphasis on creative problem solving and individual expression.

Studio In Photography (1 credit)

Photography is an art elective open to students in grades 10, 11, or 12. The basics of the course involve working with various photographic materials such as film, paper, chemistry, cameras and enlargers. Darkroom procedures cover all phases of black and white film processing and printing. The students purchase film and paper supplies. Average cost is about $100 to $130. Due to limited number of cameras available, it is recommended that students have their own 35 mm cameras (not a requirement, though). Two sections will be taught and class size is limited to 16. If enrollment is too high, Juniors and Seniors will be given priority enrollment.

Studio in Film (1 credit)

This elective course concentrates on the motion picture industry in the United States, focusing on some major contributors to this unique art form - from the earliest days (Charlie Chaplin) to the present (Steven Spielberg). Along with looking at movies from a historical and artistic perspective, this course will also allow students to learn basic filmmaking/video production techniques as they work towards the creation of their own films. Class size is limited to 16. Seniors and Juniors given priority enrollment. Having access to a camcorder is strongly recommended.

Design & Drawing For Production (1 credit)

Formerly entitled Mechanical Drawing and Design, this course focuses on the development of basic drafting skills and encourages visual problem solving. It provides opportunities for the student to be given a design problem and then develop a solution using design and drawing skills. This is a full year course with limited enrollment.

Studio in Advertising Design (1 credit)

This advanced design course will focus on commercial design. Topics to be covered include: creative thinking in preparation and execution of advertisements, ability to evaluate aesthetics in advertising art, an awareness of the impact of advertising on the public, essential techniques including research, thumbnail sketches, lettering, composition, media, and tools, an awareness of history of advertising as well as current trends.

Independent Study In Art (credit based on contract)

Independent Study in Art is a course designed for those students who wish to further advance themselves in Art. Students who take Independent Art may choose from a wide variety of art programs and MUST seek instructor approval prior to taking the course.

Independent Study In Yearbook (credit based on contract)

This program focuses on the publishing process toward producing a yearbook. Topics to be covered include computer (Pagemaker, Yeartech, Word Processing), organizational and delegational concerns, design, journalism, sales, and staff development.