In sculpture students will learn about various techniques to address three dimensional form by designing and creating dynamic sculptures in a variety of media, including wire, plaster, wood, fiber, plasticine, and metal. This course challenges students to think about space as part of the solution to open ended problems based on classic and contemporary art. There is a $20.00 request for lab fees.
Printmaking
- 9th-12th grades
- Elective
- One Semester
- Required background course: Introduction to Art (This class may be taken more than once)
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
What do Shepard Fairey, Warhol, Banksy, and Picasso have in common? Printmaking! In this class students will explore contemporary forms of printmaking and learn traditional techniques. From stencils and relief printing to silkscreen and collagraphs, students will design and create original works of art focusing on composition and design. There is a $20.00 request for lab fees.
Digital Art and Computer Design
- 9th-12th grades
- Elective
- One Semester
- Required background course: Introduction to Art (This class may be taken more than once)
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
Using digital media, students of all skill levels will explore contemporary ideas in art and art making through this project based course. Students will explore photography and digital art working with emerging trends and traditional techniques to compose and publish their own photographic images in a variety of media. In a digital darkroom environment, we will get experience with traditional prints & large-format prints, transfers, and multi format digital applications.
Students will have access to digital still and video cameras, graphic tablets, and industry-standard software, including Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and Flash. From brainstorm to story board and exported product, students will learn the process of creating visually engaging video projects and animations.
There is a $20.00 request for lab fees.
Drawing and Painting
- 9th-12th grades
- Elective
- One Semester
- Required background course: Introduction to Art A (This class may be taken more than once)
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
This class is designed for any student who wants to draw – they will use their imagination and creativity to experiment with various painting, drawing, and mixed media techniques while taking part in exercises geared to expand students’ artistic vision. Media include pencil, collage, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor, and acrylic paint. All elements and principles of drawing and painting will be covered. Students may take this course more than one time, as this course offers advanced levels of drawing and painting. There is a $20.00 request for lab fees.
Design Arts
- 10th-12th grades
- Elective
- One Semester
- Required background course: Introduction to Art A or B (This class may be taken more than once)
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements
The world of Design is a very large umbrella that encompasses nearly everything we interact with on a daily basis. In Design Arts, we explore how certain areas of design are pursued, while creating exciting new trends within areas of study, such as: Graphic Design, Product Design, Logo Design, Branding, Advertising and Web Design. Students will acquire real-world experience by getting accustomed to a workplace-like environment, using creative thinking to solve problems with innovation, and how to work as part of a team in order to complete tasks on a deadline. There is a $20.00 request for lab fees.
AP Art History
- 11th-12th grades
- Elective
- Two Semesters
- Required background course: Permission of the instructor
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
An overview of the history of art from prehistoric times to the present, this course utilizes slide and web presentations, written information, and museum visits. Requirements include the preparation of several written reports, an extensive catalogue, and a final examination at the close of the course, which can result in college credit.
AP Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio/2-D Design Portfolio/3-D Design Portfolio
- 10th-12th grades
- Elective
- Two Semesters
- Required background course: Signed permission of the instructor
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
Intended for highly motivated art students, the AP program sets a national standard for performance in the visual arts. Students may earn 3-5 college credits, depending on the evaluation and the university’s standards. Students must have the permission of the instructor prior to signing up. An informational meeting will be held in the spring regarding the requirements
for this course.
IB Visual Art SL
- 11th-12th grades
- Elective
- Two Semesters
- Required background course: Signed permission of the instructor
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
This IB Art course is designed to give students an opportunity to develop and present a personal visual art statement contained in a body of work and a research workbook. Students will be expected to incorporate acquired skills, a variety of media and methods, critical thinking, increased awareness of both immediate and global environment; imagination and creativity. Art history, criticism and aesthetics will be an integral part of the curriculum.
An important aspect of the IB Art program is the Research Workbook. The Research Workbook should serve as a journal documenting the student’s investigations into artists and art movements, their thought processes and creative progress. It is an excellent resource for their studio work. Assessment is based on Studio Assignment and Research Workbook rubrics from the International Baccalaureate. Participation and attendance are also factored into the course grade.
In class assessment is based on Studio Assignment and Research Workbook rubrics from the International Baccalaureate. Participation and attendance are also factored into the course grade. External assessment includes • 8-12 IB Studio pieces, (60%), • 15-20 photocopied Research Workbook pages (40%)
Lab fee: $20.00, hard bound sketchbook
IB Visual Art HL
- 11th-12th grades
- Elective
- Four Semesters
- Required background course: Signed permission of the instructor
- This course meets the credit toward VPAA graduation requirements.
This IB Art course is designed to give students an opportunity to develop and present a personal visual art statement contained in a body of work and a research workbook. Students will be expected to incorporate acquired skills, a variety of media and methods, critical thinking, increased awareness of both immediate and global environment; imagination and creativity. Art history, criticism and aesthetics will be an integral part of the curriculum.
An important aspect of the IB Art program is the Research Workbook. The Research Workbook should serve as a journal documenting the student’s investigations into artists and art movements, their thought processes and creative progress. It is an excellent resource for their studio work. Assessment is based on Studio Assignment and Research Workbook rubrics from the International Baccalaureate. Participation and attendance are also factored into the course grade.
In class assessment is based on Studio Assignment and Research Workbook rubrics from the International Baccalaureate. Participation and attendance are also factored into the course grade. • 12 – 18 IB (60%)• 25 – 30 photocopied Research Workbook pages, (40%), • Written statement and IB Record Booklet
• Exhibition with visiting IB examiner • Interview with visiting IB examiner
Lab fee: $20.00, hard bound sketchbook