Curriculum Guide 2012 – 2013
38 VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM
Students in the Visual Arts Program require no previous art training or skill. They work with professional-grade art materials and tools in an informal setting with large work tables and separate work areas for specialized arts. There is an in-class library with “how-to” books, “idea” notebooks, reference and art history books, slides, video tapes and files of reference pictures. Students have storage spaces for their works in progress. Art history integrates with the studio arts throughout the various courses. Students’ art work is displayed on a regular basis. 1640 - Applied Art History Art is the result of an artist’s experience and environment. Art reflects the daily life and aspects that are most important at that time. Examining the art of a period gives the viewer an idea, not just of what was happening, but how it affected the people. Art is a growth process, not just within an artist’s life, but from one time period to the next. As knowledge of the world around them increased and skill in handling materials improved, artists were able to show more and more of the reality of life. This course will study development of people through the artworks of the artists. Students will create artworks based on the readings and discussions. 1642 - Visual Art Each semester-long art course covers skills, knowledge, composition, and application. The students work on a range of projects using a variety of materials. The courses can sometimes be customized to meet the particular needs of a student, for example drawing for architects, drawing for fashion designers, fantasy drawing, or drawing nature. Drawing Drawing is a way to see…really looking at an object and seeing the relationship between the parts. Drawing is not a talent, but a learned skill in seeing and rendering the image. Additional specialized semester courses: Pencil and Ink. Painting The student studies color theory and produces a variety of paintings using assorted paint materials. Additional specialized semester course: Acrylic, Colored Pencils, and Watercolors. Sculpture Students in this multimedia course create artworks that have a front, back, top, bottom, left, and right side. Additional specialized semester courses: Jewelry, Glass, Leather, and Fiber. Architecture In this course the student studies the art and science of space. The student sketches, drafts, renders, and makes models. The student learns the basics of spatial design. Additional specialized semester courses: House Design and Interior Design. Graphic Design Visual communication – getting your message across is the work of the graphic designer. In this course, the student works on creating artworks using images and words. Additional specialized semester courses: Cartooning and Photography. Portfolio This course is for students with strong visual arts backgrounds who wish to add artworks to their college portfolios. Having already developed basic art skills, the students apply them to more complex projects. The students create a series of artworks using a variety of media and techniques. It is strongly recommended that students interested in developing a portfolio take this course in the second semester of their junior year and continue the program into the first semester of their senior year. Senior Art Seniors who have fulfilled their arts credit for graduation and have taken visual arts in the Upper School may take this visual arts course. Students get the opportunity to explore different mediums and subject matter.