Fine Arts Department - Art Courses

Fine Arts Department Home | Art Courses | Assessment | Music Courses | Resources | Theatre Courses

Visual Arts 1 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Lab Fee: $20.00

Visual Arts 1 provides a solid basis for the remainder of the art curriculum. This course introduces the elements and principles of art, art criticism, and aesthetics. Students spend the major portion of class time on studio work in drawing and painting.

Visual Arts 2 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1 with a “C” or better
Lab Fee: $20.00

Visual Arts 2 includes studio work in drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics. Specific art history periods are introduced from the textbook with an emphasis on concerns shared by master artists and students.

Sculpting 1 – 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts 1 & 2
Lab Fee: $30.00

This course's emphasis is on advanced forms. Students will be introduced to a number of techniques including found objects, sculpture collage, sculpting, modeling, etc. Relief sculptures may be included. Art periods and artists will also be introduced and explored throughout the term.

Drawing 1 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1 & 2 with a “C” average or above in both
Lab Fee: $20.00

This course covers basic drawing skills in a variety of media: pencil, colored pencil, ink, etc. Projects are from a variety of sources, real objects and people, creative use of pre-printed images and imagination. Master drawings are viewed with an emphasis on shared concerns with student work. This course will provide a student with a foundation in drawing skills and is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to pursue an art-related career.

Drawing 2 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1 & 2; and a "C" average or above in Drawing 1
Lab Fee: $20.00

This is a continuation of Drawing 1 and requires a higher level of competency. Assignments require more time and effort and a commitment to excellence. Students who wish to take more drawing courses may sign up for Drawing 2 repeatedly and work on independent projects. Students, who choose this option must have technical skills, be able to generate creative ideas of their own, and be willing to invest additional time outside of class on a frequent basis.

Introduction to Design - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Lab Fee: $10.00

Students will be introduced to creating a variety of commercial art projects, sculpture projects and 3-D design projects based on the elements and principles of design. Instruction is based on foundations of good design. Computers will be used for final products.

Pottery 1 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students will learn a variety of techniques used in clay such as hand-building methods with pinch pots, coiled pots, hard and soft slab projects and modeling animals or people.

Pottery 2 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Pottery 1 with "C" average or above
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students will create more involved projects using advanced techniques. Pottery 2 may be repeated by students who desire to work on similar projects at a higher level.

Jewelry and Fiber Arts 1 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students construct jewelry from wire, beads, hemp, linen, silk cord, fused glass, polymer clay, and ceramic clay. They may make their own stamps and create a stamped design on garments. Students are instructed to come up with original designs based on research of many different artists in the same medium.

Jewelry and Fiber Arts 2 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: "C" average or better in Jewelry 1
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students construct jewelry from wire, beads, hemp, linen, silk cord, fused glass and silver clay (which fires into solid silver pieces). They tie-dye, create henna tattoos, bead loom work, and slumped molded glass items such as small dished and hair clips. Students research several of the processes they will be using, as well as the history of both beads and henna. The course includes field trips and guest speakers.

Painting 1 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1 & 2 with a "C" average or above in both
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students will concentrate on color theory, developing skills and learning the techniques of watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. Specific periods of art history are introduced with the emphasis on artistic problems solved in painting. Students should expect to spend additional time outside of class on their projects.

Painting 2 - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Painting 1
Lab Fee: $30.00

Students will continue efforts to master techniques and skills that allow one to be a competent artist along with individualized assignments. Students generate creative painting ideas and spend additional time outside of class.

Digital Imaging and Computer Illustration - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Introduction to Design or Visual Arts 1 & 2 with a “C” avg. or above in all
Lab Fee: $20.00

Students gain experience in creating and manipulating images using current computer technology in PhotoShop, Painter and Illustrator both as fine art images and as commercial art applications.

Web Page Design - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Technology Applications, Introduction to Design, or Visual Arts 1 & 2 with a “C” avg. or above in all
Lab Fee: $20.00

Students will create web pages using the elements and principles of design. Personal and commercial applications will be produced using Macromedia Studio MX software.

Applied Visual Communication - 1 credit (2 terms)

Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Application; English 1 and 2 with a "C" average or above
Recommended: Drawing, Design, or Graphic Communications 2
Lab Fee: $25.00

Students with an interest in visual arts and/or communications, commercial art, graphic design, advertising, journalism, desktop publishing, or photography should take this course. Skills transfer directly to the workplace. Students work in teams to problem solve and complete projects that require taking photographs, designing art work, interviewing subjects and writing articles. The main product of AVC is the OEHS yearbook, Through The Eyes of a Wolf. A student may opt to enroll in this class for the entire year. (I346)

AP Studio Art - Design Portfolio - 1 credit, weighted (2 terms)
Recommended for juniors Grades 11-12
AP Studio Art - Drawing Portfolio - 1 credit, weighted (2 terms)
Recommended for seniors Grades 11-12
Note: Only one AP Studio course can be taken each year.
Prerequisite: Drawing 1 and 2. Written recommendations from previous art instructors.
Lab Fee: $30.00 plus purchase of some personal supplies

Students may receive college credit upon successful completion of this course and the submission of an extensive portfolio by outside AP judges. AP work involves significantly more commitment of time and energy than a regular high school art course. The portfolio submitted must include four original works of exceptional quality, plus 6 - 14 slides of original work in an area of concentration showing development of a single artistic idea plus 20 slides of art work showing a variety of approaches and breadth of technical skill. (Instruction on how to take good, quality slides will be provided.)

Internship (Art) - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grade 12
Prerequisite: Competencies in art and successful completion of a sequence of classes. Employability skills. Approval and review process involving the student, faculty, and employer mentor. The application process must be completed at registration.
Lab Fee: Cost of materials

Seniors who have completed all levels of relevant classes and are at a point in their education where “on the job” exposure is the next level of learning may apply for an internship. The internship is arranged through the school and related to a sequence of courses completed at the high school level. Formal training arrangements are developed between the employer and a school representative, outlining the expectations for the internship. Transportation required for the internship is the responsibility of the student.

Directed Study (Art) - 1/2 credit (1 term)

Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of competencies in art as determined by the staff. Application process. Consent of supervising teacher. Application must be fully approved at registration process. Note that there is a maximum credit allowance of 1.0 per content area for Directed Studies.
Lab Fee: Fee will be assessed

This Directed Studies Program is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in art-related occupations who have completed major course work in the field. Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to participate in advanced learning experiences such as public or private sector apprenticeships, internships or community college course work supported by the local school district. An educational plan must be developed to address individual student educational and career goals. Any transportation required for participation in this program is the responsibility of the student. One Carnegie unit of credit is earned for each 150 hours of directed activity or 176 class periods.