Grade 5

This is a survey art course which emphasizes studio production. Within this context, students apply media, techniques, and processes in creating their own artwork. Students identify and use the elements of design: line, shape, texture, and color. Within the drawing unit, students explore light and shadow, space, and some aspects of perspective. In addition, the students explore art appreciation and art criticism. Grant Wood, Thomas Hart Benton (American Regionalists), W.C. Escher, and Aboriginal Artists, as well as other type of art/artists as it relates to their studio art, are studied. Mediums include pencil, colored pencil, oil and dry pastels, markers, tempera paint, watercolors, and paper mache.

Grade 6

This course is taught as an interdisciplinary approach with the sixth grade social studies curriculum. This approach enhances and deepens student learning about the ancient civilizations studied. Students explore the arts of Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, and the Middle Ages. The students study art history through lectures, discussions, and studio projects, and they are required to keep notes about civilizations studied. Students identify and use the elements of design: line, shape, texture, and color. Studio art projects include a unit on linear perspective. Mediums include pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, oil or dry pastels, markers, tempera paint, watercolors, and wax resist. Through art history discussion and studio art projects, students acquire a better understanding of art appreciation and art criticism. Students deepen their understanding of art through a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts taken with the social studies teacher.

Grade 7

This is a survey art course that emphasizes studio art. Students apply media, techniques, and processes in creating their own artwork. Students come to understand and use a variety of vocabulary with respect to the making of their studio art projects. Students identify and use the elements and principles of design. Students will draw from life, including outdoor sketching, portrait studies at home and in class, and figure studies. Each 7th-grade class produces a large grid drawing from a famous work of art to display at the Spring Arts Festival. Mediums include (but are not limited to) pencil, colored pencil, pen, oil or dry pastels, charcoal, markers, tempera paint, watercolors, and printmaking. Students participate in class critiques in order to enhance art appreciation and understanding of art criticism. In addition to studio art, art history subjects include Renaissance and Baroque art. Additional artists are studied as time permits.

Grade 8

This is a survey art course which emphasizes studio art. Students will apply media, techniques, and processes in creating their own artwork. Students will be expected to understand a variety of vocabulary with respect to the making of their studio art projects. Students will identify and use the elements and principles of design. An understanding of composition and space is emphasized with respect to art criticism and the students’ own artwork. Students will draw often from life, including – landscape (outdoors), still life, portrait studies at home and in class, and figure studies. Mediums include (but are not limited to), pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard, oil or dry pastels, charcoal, markers, acrylic paint, watercolors, printmaking, collage, wire sculpture, and clay. Class critiques are held as a way to enhance art appreciation and understanding of art criticism. In addition to studio art, art history subjects include Impressionism, Post Impressionism, and 20th-century art. During the 4th marking period, 8th graders are given the opportunity for independent study. They must choose from several of the media listed above.

Foundations in Visual Arts

This course is designed for students of all levels. It is a survey course intended to expose students to several different mediums including charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, and pencil drawing.  Art processes will be taught alongside lessons in art history.  Students will be introduced to movements throughout the art world in addition to the basic techniques for handling chosen materials.

Emphasis is placed on both the finished art “object” as well as the process of creating a piece of work.  Students will participate in formal critiques of their peers’ work, and in doing so become familiar with art vocabulary.  After completing this course, students are prepared for more
advanced work in a specific focus area, including painting or graphic design.

Painting & Design

This course is designed for students who wish to further their knowledge of fine art.  Basic color mixing is taught, including the color wheel and color harmonies.  Experiences in selected media including acrylic paint, pastel, watercolor, charcoal, and printmaking are applied to abstract designs, still-life, landscapes, and the figure.  

Digital Media

This course is an introduction to creating artwork and graphic design projects using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.  The class will cover artwork creation (digital photography, scanning original artwork, and creating vector-based drawings); art research (appropriate use of online photo resources); and graphic design (logos, ads, posters, publications, digital magazines, and other projects).  Students will also work on higher-level photo editing and compositing with Photoshop, learn advanced rendering techniques with Illustrator, as well as create a digital art portfolio with InDesign, among other advanced projects.

3D Design

This course is designed to develop three-dimensional skills in a variety of media.  Students will complete sculptural works in paper, wire, clay, relief sculpture, fabric, and papier mache.  Projects will have figurative, narrative, and abstract emphases. 

Advanced Drawing

This course is intended for the student who wishes to develop and strengthen his or her drawing skills.  Advanced techniques in pencil, charcoal, conte, pastel, and colored pencil will be taught.  Observational drawing skills will be emphasized alongside creative thinking and problem solving.  Extensive outside of class sketchbook assignments will be an important part of the course.

Portfolio Development

This independent study course will prepare the advanced visual art student for portfolio presentation at post-secondary art schools.  This option is intended only for the serious art student desiring post-secondary art instruction.