Art

Which Art Course Should You Take?

Unless you are a junior or senior, Art Foundations 1 is a prerequisite class for all level-one art courses.  This semester-long multimedia art course has been developed as an introduction to drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and design.  Art Foundations 2 further develops these skills while exploring different media and building on additional two-dimensional and three-dimensional art skills.

As a junior or senior, you have the opportunity to bypass Art Foundations.

Students who successfully complete a level-two or advanced art course and obtain a West Art Teacher's approval have the opportunity to take Studio Art or AP Studio art their senior year.

Art Foundations 1 is the initial semester art course.  The Art Foundation curriculum is an exploration of drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics, focusing on the Art Elements in both two-, and three-dimensional mediums.  Students will incorporate the Elements of Art and the study of art history into their artwork.  Emphasis is on initial techniques in various media and exploration.  This course is needed to take Art Foundations 2 and any other level one art class.  This course may be taken only one semester.

Art Foundations 2 extends the concepts learned in Art Foundations 1.  This course is highly recommended for serious art students.  The Art Foundations 2 curriculum is an exploration of two-, and three-dimensional forms, focusing on the principles of design in a variety of media.  Students will incorporate the principles of design and the study of art history into their artwork.  Emphasis is on initial techniques in various media and exploration.  This course may be taken only one semester.

This year-long course will explore drawing and painting in a variety of styles and mediums.  Students will build their knowledge of drawing and painting techniques throughout the year.  Continued study of art history, elements of art, and principles of design will be incorporated into this course.  Portfolio development will be introduced. 

This is a semester course offered to art students who have successfully completed Drawing and Painting. In-depth drawing techniques will be explored with emphasis on compositions that incorporate advanced gradation, patterning, and visual texture. Students will continue development of their own unique drawing style.  Student art portfolios will be further developed in this course.  This course may be taken only one semester.

This is a semester course offered to art students who have successfully completed Drawing and Painting.  In this course, advanced watercolor and acrylic techniques are applied to two-dimensional surfaces.  Students will learn how to construct their own canvases and explore multi-media options in their paintings.  Student art portfolios will be further developed in this course.  This course may be taken only one semester.

This is a semester course designed for the students who want to be challenged by a pliable three-dimensional medium: clay.  Students will explore hand-building clay construction, throwing on the potter's wheel, coil building, slab techniques, and surface and glazing methods.  Portfolio development will be introduced.   This course may be taken only one semester.

This is a semester course offered to art students who have successfully completed Ceramics I.  Students will explore advanced construction, throwing, and glazing techniques, as well as learn about kiln firing processes.  Student art portfolios will be further developed in this course.  This course may be taken only one semester.

This is a semester course that is designed for the student who wants to explore art in three-dimensional forms.  Many different art mediums, including foam core, clay, wood, and more, will be incorporated into large and small-scale sculptures.  Students will learn and apply additive and subtractive techniques as well as learn how to construct relief sculptures and sculptures in-the-round.  Portfolio development will be introduced.  This course may be taken only one semester.

This is a semester course for students who have successfully completed either Sculpture or Ceramics II.  Students will further develop skills using sculpture media and techniques.  A specialty area will be individually selected based on previous 3D art courses taken.  Student art portfolios will be further developed in this course.  This course may be taken only one semester.

Studio Art students will explore problem solving and visual communication.  This class offers advanced individualized and student-directed learning, as students explore concept development and master advanced level design skills in the mediums they choose.  Students will continue to refine and explore composition development in a personal manner, and strive towards artistic excellence.  All students will create a body of work to be displayed at the final art show and develop a final portfolio.  Ongoing critical analysis through group and individual critiques provide students with opportunities to learn and analyze both peer work and their own.

Note: Art Instructor signature required to take this course.

AP Studio Art is designed for students who are highly motivated and seriously interested in the study of art.  AP Studio Art students explore high-level thinking and have the potential to earn college credit.  This course demands significant commitment, previous training in art, and requires students to submit a completed portfolio of work to the College Board.  All AP students become independent thinkers, apply knowledge of the elements and principles of art, show mastery of advanced level design skills, and work through concepts addressed in a college-level foundation course.  Ongoing critical analysis through group and individual critiques provide students with opportunities to learn and analyze both peer work and their own work.

Note: Art Instructor signature required to take this course.