Visual Arts Course Descriptions

10000 Art 1   

• Grade Level: 9-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: None

Description: The art 1 course is open to all students interested in art and does not require any previous art experience.  Students will have the opportunity to  play with different media, try different techniques and learn skills that will allow them to participate in  future art classes.  This class will promote creativity, idea generation, and artistic experiences.  Course may not be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Developing ideas into original artwork

• Looking at and talking about art

• Using the elements of art

State Course: 05154A000, Creative Art Comprehensive

10020 Art 2   

• Grade Level: 9-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Art 1

Description: Those who enjoyed Art 1 will definitely want to take Art 2. Students will have the opportunity to try new and different techniques not available in Art 1.  Success in Art 2 is the gateway to the upper level art classes. Course may not be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Using the principles of design 

• Exploring unfamiliar subjects through artmaking

• Collaboration in artmaking

State Course: 05154A000, Creative Art Comprehensive

10100 Drawing & Painting   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Art 2

Description: This studio style class will offer a variety of drawing and painting media beyond what was introduced Art 2.  New creative ideas will be based on student interests.  Students are encouraged to use personal influences and experiences to create art.  You will be proud of your results in this course. Drawing and Painting may be repeated for credit. 

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Developing drawing techniques

• Beginning painting techniques

• Reflection on artmaking 

State Course: 05155A000, Creative Art Drawing/Painting

10140 Advanced Drawing & Painting   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting

Description: Do you want to feel like an artist in your own studio? You will be part of a self-driven creative and collaborative environment in this class. Break old rules and develop new and creative ideas as you establish personal choices in media and the artmaking process.  

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors with your art

• Focus on art presentation 

• Develop your collection of work

State Course: 05155A000, Creative Art Drawing/Painting

10060 Ceramics   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Art 2

Description: Have you always wanted to work with clay?  This class will allow you  to explore different hand building techniques to create a variety of  unique pieces of art. The studio style setting allows for more freedom and self-directed pace. Course may be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Experiment with surface designs to create textures and pattern

• Hand building processes: pinch pots, coils and slabs 

• Painting and glazing techniques

State Course: 05159A000, Ceramics/Pottery

10160 Advanced Ceramics/Materials   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Ceramics

Description:  Roll up your sleeves and get muddy! Students will work to further develop their creative ideas and ceramic skills creating pieces that are more challenging and meaningful. Throwing on the wheel is one of many options you may choose to explore. This course may be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Develop more complex pieces

• Refine handbuilding processes

• Perfect painting and glazing techniques

• Explore your artistic style 

State Course: 05159A000, Ceramics/Pottery

10120 Photography   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Art 1

Description: Do you have a camera and like taking photographs?  Photography might be for you! In this course you will learn about the art of the photography beyond a snapshot. Learn basic camera controls and beginning editing techniques in Photoshop.  Get outside the cinderblock walls and capture the world around you!  Photography may be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Camera Functions

• Photoshop skills

• Composition strategies

State Course: 05167A000, Photography

10180 Computer Art 1   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Art 2

Description: Are you interested in creating art on a computer?   In this class you will learn the basic functions of Adobe Illustrator to create a variety of artwork.  Graphic design is a leading 21st century career choice and this is where you start! This course may be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

• Incorporation of text and graphics

• Lab and studio time

• Commercial and Fine art

State Course: 05169A000, Computer Assisted Art

10190 Computer Art 2   

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Credits Earned: 0.5

• Prerequisite: Computer Art 1

Description:  Have you ever changed a photo to create a new image?  In this course you will learn the magic of photo manipulation!  Photoshop functions will be the focus of this upper level class where you will not only edit photos, but create original imagery.  This course may be repeated for credit.

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Introduction to Photoshop

• Photo manipulation 

• Lab and studio time

State Course: 05169A000, Computer Assisted Art

1021 Advanced Placement 2D Art and Design                            AP Class Weighted

• Grade Level: 11-12                

• Credits Earned: 1.0

• Prerequisite: Four semesters of Art

Description: Are you looking to further your artistic voice and have the opportunity to gain college credit?  AP 2D Studio Art is a year long class based on idea generation, extensive art production, and portfolio creation.  This is the class for the die hard artist!

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Encourage creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues.

• Emphasize artmaking as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision making.

• Further development of compositional skill and techniques in various media.

• Development of an artistic style and voice through a personal portfolio.

State Course: 05174A000, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design

1022 Advanced Placement Drawing                           AP Class Weighted

• Grade Level: 11-12                

• Credits Earned: 1.0

• Prerequisite: Four semesters of Art

Description: Are you looking to further your artistic voice and have the opportunity to gain college credit?  AP Drawing is a year long class based on idea generation, extensive art production, and portfolio creation.  This is the class for the die hard artist!

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Encourage creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues.

• Emphasize artmaking as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision making.

• Further development of compositional skill and techniques in various media.

• Development of an artistic style and voice through a personal portfolio.

State Course: 05172A000, AP Drawing

10230 Portfolio Development

• Grade Level: 11-12                

• Credits Earned: 1.0

• Prerequisite: Four semesters of Art

Description: This one-semester course helps students build their art portfolio and improve their 2D art skills. Students will use different art materials, research artists, and create work based on a personal theme. They will document their process and prepare a portfolio for college, art schools, or art-related careers. The class includes discussions about art and aesthetics and is a great option for students who want to focus on art without committing to a full AP course. It’s perfect for those looking to develop their skills and prepare for future opportunities in the arts.

• Students enrolled in this course may not be concurrently enrolled in AP Art Studio. 

Major Topics or Themes:  (additional topics may be covered)

• Utilize inquiry methods of observation, research, and experimentation to explore unfamiliar subjects through art making. 

• Through experimentation, practice, and persistence demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form. 

• Reflect on, re-engage, revise and refine works of art or design considering relevant traditional and contemporary criteria as well as personal artistic vision. 

• Construct and support meaningful interpretation , supported by evidence, of an artwork or collection of works, through describing and analyzing feelings, subject matter, formal characteristics, artmaking appraoches, contextual information, and key concepts. 

State Course: 05170A000, Art Portfolio