Visual Arts

Pottery & Sculpture 1: This is a foundation course that emphasizes the art elements and principles of design to produce nonfunctional and functional three-dimensional art forms constructed from clay. Students may explore both functional and nonfunctional forms using hand-building, the potter’s wheel, and various other sculptural techniques. Students will be exposed to contemporary and historical clay artists.

Pottery & Sculpture 2: This second level course will build upon experiences in Pottery/Sculpture 1. Students will be challenged with more advanced techniques and problems in the area of pottery and sculpture to create both functional and nonfunctional three-dimensional forms. Students may explore in greater depth the process of hand-building, the potter’s wheel, and other sculptural techniques. New firing techniques, different clay bodies, new glazes and new sculpture techniques may be introduced. Students will be exposed to contemporary and historical clay artists.

IB Visual Art SL: IB Visual Arts SL is the first year of a two year sequence in the IB Visual Arts curriculum. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking. Students will gain technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers while exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts. Students are expected to engage in, experiment with, and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through art.

IB Visual Art HL: This is the second year of a two year sequence which covers the IB Visual Arts curriculum. Students will continue to develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, and expand technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. Students will develop a sketchbook/journal and complete an artwork portfolio consisting of multiple pieces of art. While preparing work for public display, students will learn curative skills and techniques. This class is the final preparation for the IB Visual Arts HL assessments. Students will refine their artistic analytical and problem-solving skills. Students will engage in, experiment with, and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary visual arts practices.

Drawing/Painting 1: Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class. Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the basic techniques and concepts of both drawing and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase one’s understanding of the basics of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.

Drawing/Painting 2: This second level course builds upon the experiences of Drawing and Painting 1. Students who choose to take this course should be confident with their drawing skills and ready to produce more complex finished drawings and paintings. An emphasis will be on the development of a more personal style, sophisticated approaches to the development of ideas, development of a greater awareness to art beyond school, and the introduction of new techniques.

Photography 1: This introductory course deals with traditional black and white 35mm photography as well as digital photography and teaches the basic camera handling, film processing, and darkroom procedures. Students learn how to control light to produce an aesthetically pleasing image. Composition and the elements and principles of art are introduced. In addition, pinhole cameras, photograms, special effects and the history of photography may be addressed.* An additional fee of $25 for camera rental will be assessed if the student's personal camera does not meet equipment requirements for this class.

Photography 2: This second level course will build upon experiences of level 1. This course deals with improving the student’s ability to see, take and create a photographic image. Students may be given opportunities to work with sepia toning, hand coloring, multiple images, special films, digital images, and other photo techniques and processes. Masters of photography may be studied. Special emphasis is placed on the critique. * An additional fee of $25 for camera rental will be assessed if the student's personal camera does not meet equipment requirements for this class.

Digital Art & Design 1: This introductory course deals with controlling computer technology to produce an artistic image. Students will learn computer illustration techniques, image manipulation, digital camera use, graphic design, visual literacy, and principles and elements of art in composition. Some artistic movements will also be studied as they relate to student projects.

Digital Art & Design 2: This course extends the fundamental concepts and skills of Digital Art and Design 1 of using computer technology to produce an artistic image. Students further advance their computer illustration technologies, image manipulation, digital camera use, graphic design knowledge, art history concepts, visual literacy and the principles and elements of art in composition.

Portfolio Art: This course is imperative for the student who is preparing a portfolio of art for entrance into college or art school. Guidance and instruction on portfolio building will be given with the individual’s goals in mind. Students will be expected to initiate and carry out ideas on a more independent basis, and they will choose their own materials. This course may be taken for up to six semesters, not necessarily sequential, for credit.