I am so glad you have chosen to take my Art or Design, class. Our class will have many opportunities to use our creative minds to create new and exciting projects. Please read the course descriptions below that pertain to the particular class you are in.
Digital Art 2 - Brief Overview
This is a survey course that will focus on the use of electronic media (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop), traditional art techniques, concepts of New Media, elements and principles of art/design, industry standards with an emphasis on applying the general rules of creating a coherent/readable message. Students will be working in a computer lab-based classroom as well as in a hands-on studio art classroom. The assignments will allow students to engage in project-based and, small group learning. Students in Graphic Design 2 will be expected to show competency using Adobe Illustrator / Adobe Photoshop.
Art 1 - Brief Overview
Art 1 is a beginning art survey course that is designed to provide all skill levels with an opportunity to explore the elements and principles of art. This is a studio art course that will provide students an opportunity to engage in hands-on, project based, small group learning. Students enrolled in Art 1 will also learn to use a variety of artist materials, such as graphite, ink, colored pencils, watercolor, tempera paint, etc. My goal is to provide students of any skill level challenging assignments. There are no prerequisites to take this course. This course is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for the visual arts. A full year of the Art 1 course will satisfy your 10 credits toward your Visual and Performing Art (VAPA) units, or elective units. Upon successful completion of the course students will earn five credits for Fall and five credits for Spring.
Students that are enrolled in Art 1 are required to show effort to engage in applying the skills, techniques and knowledge provided in this course. Students will have many opportunities to demonstrate understanding via their art projects, learning activities, classroom critiques, writing assignments and one-on-one discussions with the teacher.
Art 2- Brief Overview
Students enrolled in Art 2 must have completed Art 1 with a passing grade. Art 2 is not a beginning art class. Students enrolled in Art 2 are expected to have an understanding of the Elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space/perspective) and Principles (pattern, rhythm / movement, proportion / scale, balance, unity, and emphasis) of art. Students will be expected to use the elements and principles of art to convey a message, a feeling, or a new perspective. Each student will be asked to develop and understand their creative process.
Skills will build upon each other as our class goes through the semester. Each project will be introduced via a learning activity where skills will be introduced and explored. Students who invest effort will have a solid understanding of larger assignments. Our class will focus on skills such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking. Students will also have an opportunity to work digitally in Adobe Photoshop.
Students enrolled in Art 2 will also do research, create class presentations, and participate in critiques of other students’ art works.
My goal is to provide students with challenging assignments. This course is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for the visual arts. A full year of the Art 2 course will satisfy your 10 credits toward your Visual and Performing Art (VAPA) units, or elective units. 5 credits for Fall / 5 credits for Spring.
AP Art - Brief Overview
AP Art and Design students are expected to be self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently. Only students who have completed Art 2 / Design 2 with acceptable grades will be offered a position as an AP art student. AP Art students are expected to have intermediate-advanced drawing skills and design skills. AP Art and Design students are expected to understand how the elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, and space) and principles (pattern, rhythm/movement, proportion/scale, balance, unity, and emphasis) of art are used as tools to create and discuss works of art and design.
AP Art students will be expected to research artists that will be assigned by the teacher. Artists will be chosen/assigned based on the similarities or direction as per the teacher’s recommendation. Students will be expected to explore and investigate professional artists to help in generating new ideas, refining in-process ideas, and fostering a deeper understanding of materials, and processes. AP students will be expected to share their findings in a slide show and short presentation as part of their small group work. AP students may also be asked to work in a particular style of an artist that is being researched. While working in an artist style the student will be asked to create a series of projects that show exploration of process, interpretation, and materials. AP Art and Design students will have access to books, magazines, reproductions, and online media.