Art 1

ART 1 is the foundation level course for the high school art program. Students focus on idea development while they explore a wide range of art media and develop skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and 3-D media. They study art history, aesthetics, and criticism from a multicultural perspective. Students assemble a portfolio. This course is the prerequisite for all future high school studio art courses.

Art 2

Students expand and refine knowledge and skills in the area of art production, visual literacy, and art history developed in ART 1. New techniques and media are introduced. Students study art history, aesthetics, and criticism from a chronological perspective. They continue to build portfolios that exhibit expanded knowledge and improved skills.

Art 3

Students engage in advanced study of art production and communication, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism. Students establish goals, develop individual styles, become familiar with art schools and careers, and develop the work habits of the professional artist. Students select additions for portfolios based on technical quality, personal style, intended purpose, and evidence of growth over time.

Porfolio Preparation:General

Students engage in advanced study of art production, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism, while maintaining the attitude and self-discipline of a working artist. They exhibit technical proficiency and personal style while working in advanced media. They curate art exhibitions of their own work, using professional exhibition techniques. Emphasis is placed on career opportunities. An exit portfolio giving evidence of quality, concentration, and breadth of work produced throughout the high school program is required. A presentation portfolio showing the students’ highest level of achievement is selected from the exit portfolio.

Computer Graphics 1

Students' art skills are enhanced through the use of the computer as a tool to create personally expressive original art. Emphasis will be placed on creative thinking and visual problem solving. Units of instruction will focus on developing expertise in the use of computers, scanners, and digital cameras. Software applications include Adobe Photoshop (digital imaging), Adobe Illustrator (illustration and graphic design), Adobe PageMaker (desktop publishing) and Bryce 3D (animation and landscape design). Ethical issues concerning computer generated imagery are addressed. No prior computer knowledge is required.

Computer Graphics 2

Students expand their knowledge in the application of hardware and software to create personally expressive original art. Complex visual problems will be introduced within the areas of web-page design and development, multimedia presentations, animation, graphic design, and digital imaging. Based upon the computer graphics lab capabilities, additional software may include Flash, (animation, web development, and interactive gaming), GoLive and Dreamweaver (web-authoring), and Adobe Premier (video editing). In depth study of these processes aid in understanding how their integration leads to the production of industry standard products. A final portfolio is required for evaluation.

Computer Graphics 3: Porfolio Preparation

Students engage in the advanced study and application of computer graphics while developing the attitude and self-discipline of a working artist. Students integrate advanced knowledge of software with creative thinking skills to produce a portfolio of artworks that shows evidence of quality, concentration, and breadth of experience in the formal, technical and expressive means of an artist. Students will present a final portfolio in a public forum.

Photography 1

Students enhance their creativity and visual perception through the basic process of black and white photography. Use of cameras, films, light effects, as well as basic darkroom techniques are introduced. The study of famous photographers and a brief history of the medium provide a broad overview of this technical and artistic field. Self-expression is emphasized and results are maintained in a beginning portfolio.

Photography 2

Students continue the study of black and white photography through photographic styles. Leading exponents, equipment, and techniques are introduced in their historical context. Students acquire and use an in-depth knowledge of photographic equipment, films, and specialized processes. Conducting a critique, evaluating great works of art, and examining photography and its relationship to other art forms are explored. Portfolio development with emphasis on communication of content and meaning through photography.

Photography 3: Porfolio Preparation

Students engage in advanced study of photography while maintaining the attitude and self-discipline of a working artist. A culminating portfolio evidencing technical proficiency, quality, concentration, and breadth of work will be required. Using professional exhibition techniques, they will arrange an exhibition of their work and the work of others. Exceptional initiative and commitment to communication of ideas through the use of the photographic medium is expected of these advanced level students.

Advanced Placement Art: Art History

This course is designed to prepare students for the ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART HISTORY examination, for which college credit and/or placement may be awarded if a qualifying score is achieved. Objectives for Advanced Placement courses reflect the format and requirements in the Advanced Placement Course Description for Art published by the College Board. The Advanced Placement history of art program is designed to provide students with an understanding and enjoyment of works of art. Students should demonstrate a high degree of commitment to academic work and possess academic skills needed to pursue a program designed to meet college standards. No prior experience in art studio or art history is assumed.
All students are required to take the ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART HISTORY exam.

Advanced Placement Art: Drawing Porfolio

This course is designed for highly motivated, advanced art students who have demonstrated a serious interest in the study of art. Ideally suited for students who work well independently, the course will focus on the preparation of a drawing portfolio of artworks that exhibit quality, concentration in an area of visual interest or problem solving, and breadth of experience in the formal, technical, and expressive means of an artist. The drawing portfolio addresses a broad interpretation of drawing issues including, painting, printmaking, studies for sculpture, some form of design, and abstract and observational works. Students will prepare and submit drawing portfolios based on objectives that reflect the format and requirements established by the College Board for Advanced Placement Studio Art. Advanced Placement college credit and/or placement may be awarded if a qualifying exam score is achieved.

Advanced Placement Art: 2D Design Porfolio

This course is designed for highly motivated, advanced art students who have demonstrated a serious interest in the study of art. Ideally suited for students who work well independently, the course will focus on the preparation of a two-dimensional design portfolio of artworks that exhibit quality, concentration in an area of visual interest or problem solving, and breadth of experience in the formal, technical, and expressive means of an artist. The two-dimensional portfolio may include, but is not limited to, forms of artwork in graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, and printmaking. Students will submit two-dimensional portfolios based on objectives that reflect the format and requirements established by the College Board for Advanced Placement Studio Art. Advanced Placement college credit and/or placement may be awarded if a qualifying exam score is achieved.
(All students are required to take the Advanced Placement Art: 2D Design exam.)