Visual Art Courses

  • Art 1 - This VAPA aligned, college prep class focuses on studio projects of selected artworks, artists, cultural and historical phenomena, and aesthetics. Different media are explored, including drawing, painting, collage, sculpting, paper mâché, and printmaking.

    Art 2 - This college-prep course further explores a wide spectrum of media, including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, paper mache, and printmaking. Prerequisite:  Art 1

    Ceramics - This VAPA aligned college prep course explores a variety of ceramic sculptural experiences.  Form and function are highlighted with emphasis on how ceramics and related arts have influenced mankind's cultural, social, and economic development.

    Advanced Ceramics - This course further develops the skills, techniques, and aesthetic sensibilities of students, including fundamental concepts, historical and contemporary references, art criticism, and creative expression. Prerequisite: Ceramics

    Studio Art - This college-prep course is for students who have successfully completed Art I, Art II, or Drawing & Painting. The focus is primarily on the development of 2D media, understanding the artistic process, and the exploration of a variety of approaches in art-making. Prerequisite: Art 1

    AP 2-D Art and Design (AP Studio Art) - This college-prep AP course is for serious students interested in art. It involves the rigorous study of the artistic process, exploration and articulation of concepts and ideas, and the development of a portfolio that serves as the AP Exam. The work is focused on a variety of 2D media both assigned by the teacher and chosen by the student. 

    *Class grade is weighted for "Weighted Overall GPA" 

    Digital Photography - Digital Photography helps to develop competency in the digital darkroom through lessons and projects that teach photographic concepts, composition, and principles of 2-dimensional design. Students will be required to keep their own portfolios through a process that includes research, practice, and reflection. Prerequisite: Art 1

    Advanced Digital Photography - This course is designed for students who have completed Digital Photography. Students will continue to develop and build on their digital photography camera skills, as well as their use of Photoshop and Lightroom. Projects will be both fine art and commercial art-based. Prerequisite: Digital Photography

    Animation - Animation I is a revised course that exposes students to the skills, concepts, and theories in animation in an artist-scholar mindset that includes the integration of technical abilities, reading, writing, and reflection with the incorporation of computer technology.

    Advanced Animation - The course focuses on advanced techniques of animation and scriptwriting, storyboarding and character design and camera technology, lighting, sound, and editing. Prerequisite: Animation

    Drawing/Painting - Students are exposed to basic two-dimensional drawing and painting skills, techniques, history, theories, and ideologies.  Although art-making is a dominant component in the class, there is an artist-scholar mindset where reading, writing, and the ability to communicate ideas and opinions are also major goals.

    AP Drawing (AP Studio Art) - This college-prep AP course is for serious students interested in art. It involves the rigorous study of the artistic process, exploration and articulation of concepts and ideas, and the development of a portfolio that serves as the AP Exam. The work is focused on drawing media, techniques, and skills.

    *Class grade is weighted for "Weighted Overall GPA" 

    Printmaking and Graphic Design - Students will learn about the basics of graphic design and printmaking to express original art combining typography, page layout, and integrated graphic elements within the printmaking language.

    Art History - This is a college-prep course that familiarizes students with the different concepts of the visual arts, from cave painting to contemporary images.  It involves extensive reading, writing, and making works fo art based on styles and cultures that are studied.

    AP Art History - This course provides students with an overview of the development of art concepts from a historical perspective to prepare students for the AP Art History exam.

    *Class grade is weighted for "Weighted Overall GPA"

  • All Courses Meet A-G Category "F" - Visual and Performing Art