Visual Literacy
1 term, non-solid, ¼ credit

** This course is a pre-requisite for any Drawing, Ceramics, Painting, Sculpture and Photography courses. 
Through discussion and hands-on application of basic art materials, Visual Literacy introduces essential concepts, techniques, and procedures relating to visual expression. In our “information age,” television, film, the Internet, and the print media feature images that are designed to convey information or influence attitudes, so literacy means not only the ability to read and write but also the ability to understand, interpret, and produce drawings, paintings, photographs, computer graphics, or other forms of visual expression. Students learn how to “see” images like never before, how to recognize their power to shape attitudes and perceptions, and how to create images that inspire and inform.  This course meets 2 days a week.

Art History I
1 term, solid, ½ credit

This course surveys Western art from Paleolithic evidence through the Renaissance. Media studies, significant individuals, movements, and aesthetic critical methods will be covered.

Art History II
1 term, solid, ½ credit

This course will survey Western art from the Renaissance through the art of our time.  Media studies, significant individuals, movements, and aesthetic critical methods will be covered.

Advanced Placement Art History
3 terms, solid, 1 1/2 credits

(No prerequisite for juniors and seniors; sophomores with department permission)
Advanced Placement Art History reviews Western architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. The course also introduces post-modern art and art beyond the European tradition in preparation for the AP Art History test. As students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and present and from a variety of cultures, they will learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see or experience. Students taking this course are required to take the AP Art History exam in May.

 Drawing
2 terms, non-solid, ½ credit, C

Drawing students learn to thoughtfully employ line and value to arrive at an image while using a variety of media including pencil, inks, and charcoal. The course is designed to give experience in drawing, from simple descriptions of objects to spatial relationships. Through Drawing, students discover the art of visual communication in a step-by-step examination of common visual ideas. The lives and works of artists, significant historical developments in painting and drawing, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.  This course meets 2 days a week.

Drawing Seminar: Portrait and Figure Drawing
1 term, solid, 1/2 credit, D

Portrait and Figure Drawing is designed for the student who would like to concentrate on the human form as a vehicle for visual expression. Using various drawing materials, students develop their understanding of skeletal and muscle anatomy, learn measuring techniques and proportions for the face and figure, and deepen their experience of drawing as a means of visual communication. The lives and works of artists, whose figurative paintings and drawings present a significant contribution to the field of art history, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.

Ceramics
2 terms, non-solid, ½ credit, A

Ceramics stresses the creative use of clay through hand-building of both functional and purely aesthetic forms.  Students explore three dimensional design, introductory glazing adn surface applications.  The historical study of cultures and clay, the lives and works of artists who have advanced significant work in ceramic media, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.  This course meets 2 days a week.

Ceramics Seminar: Terra Cott Portrai Sculpture
1 term, solid, ½ credit, A

Terra Cotta Portrait Sculpture will explore portraiture in the round using the ancient medium of red earthenware clay.  Various modeling techniques and surface applications will be studied.  The work of  selected cultures and artists, significant historical developments in the medium and aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.

Basic Black & White Photography
2 term, non-solid, 1/2 credit, C 

Basic Black and White Photography introduces the student to camera and darkroom techniques from film to final print. Photographic composition, film development, and basic black and white processing are the foundation of the course. The lives of photographers, significant historical developments in the medium, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study. This course meets 2 days per week.  Students are required to provide and maintain a personal 35mm Manual SLR film camera.

Photography Seminar: Advanced Black and White Techniques
1 term, solid, ½ credit, C

Photography Seminar: Advanced Black and White Photography will deepen the students understanding of the photographic process. Alternative methods, advanced composition, and creative print applications will be explored. The lives of photographers, significant historical developments in the medium and an attention to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.

Photography Seminar: Digital Still Photography
1 term, solid, 1/2 credit, C

This course explores the world of fine photography using the digital SLR format.  Photographic composition, color theory, and the processing of RAW data files using Photoshop CS5 are the foundation of this course.  The lives of contemporary photographers, significant developments in teh history of photography, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.  Students are required to provide and maintain a personal digitial SLR camera.  Pre-requisite: Basic Black & White Photography

Painting
2 terms, non-solid, 1/2 credit, A

From preparatory drawings to the finished canvas, Painting enables the student to investigate the artistic process of interpreting the visual world on a two-dimensional surface. Students explore the hand/eye relationship, composition, meaning making, and expression through use of acrylic painting media. The lives of painters, significant historical developments in the medium, and an introduction to aesthetic critical methods complement this study. This course meets 2 days per week. 

Painting Seminar: Oil Painting
1 term, solid, 1/2 credit, B

Painting Seminar: Oil Painting builds upon skills and knowledge gained in Painting by investigating the possibilities of the medium from painted studies to stretched canvas. The lives of painters, significant historical developments in the medium and aesthetic critical methods will complement this study.

Sculpture Seminar: Equine Sculpture
1 term, solid, 1/2 credit

Working from live horses, students in this course will learn how to construct a wire armature and apply oil-based clay to develop and model forms. The objectives is to complete an equine sculpture in correct proportion and anatomical structure. The work of selected cultures and artists, significant developements in the medium, and critical evaluation will complement this study.

Honors Seminar: Visual Art Portfolio
4 terms, solid and non-solid, 1 credit, B

(Seniors only with department permission. Pre-requisite: any three Visual Art Courses)
Visual Art Portfolio/Honors allows the advanced visual art student to concentrate on an in-depth exploration of one or two visual art media with an emphasis of presentation and exhibition. This class addresses the needs of the individual student in preparing an honors or senior exhibition.  A foundation in the elements and principles of visual composition will b e the common connection between the students in this course.  An individual plan of study will be developed with each student and assessed and revised, if necessary, each term.  The ability to work independently is an expectation of this class.  This course meets three days a week for all four terms.