THE arts

Introduction To The Arts

No prerequisite. 9th grade students only.

Introduction to the Arts is part of our ARC Collaborative curriculum (see p. 5). An interdisciplinary study of music, theater and the visual arts, this course provides students the basic knowledge and applied skills necessary for developing an appreciation for each of the fine arts disciplines. Students will experience the visual and performing arts through live performances, gallery and museum tours, creative projects and classroom demonstrations in each subject area.

Ceramics I

No prerequisite. Open to students in grades 9 through 12.

Ceramics is a semester-long course that enables students to recognize the properties and possibilities of clay by creating artworks using hand-building techniques. Development of technical skills and artistic vocabulary includes scoring, slipping, hand-building, slab, coil and pinch techniques, bisque firing, painting and glazing. Students learn to approach ceramic artwork as both functional and decorative sculptural objects. Project assignments stress craftsmanship, following the assignment guidelines and creativity. Students participate in critiques in both individual and group settings.

Ceramics Ii

Prerequisite: Completion of Ceramics I with an 85 average or better, or by teacher assessment. Open to students in grades 9 through 12.

Ceramics II is an advanced semester-long course in which students become more artistically creative and visually literate. Students will explore throwing on the wheel, layering glazes and working with high fire porcelain. This course contributes to students’ development in the four content areas of art production, art history, art criticism and aesthetics. Students familiar with the basics of ceramics have the opportunity to become more confident in their visual literacy and production of functional and sculptural ceramic art.