Teaching Staff: 

Visual Arts Department Courses

Functional Design (Crafts) I, II, III, IV
Fine Arts I, II, III, IV
 

  Functional Design (Crafts) I & II ……………Grades 9 - 12

Functional Design (Crafts) I & II give each student a foundation in a wide variety of traditional and contemporary crafts.  Students will develop their appreciation of and abilities in the design of original, carefully planned and artistically pleasing functional crafts work.  The concepts of good original design, technical growth, and historical awareness of crafts will be stressed in such areas as hand building pottery, jewelry, enameling, textile design, leather, print making, macramé, and ornamental design.  Field trips and guest speakers are planned to encourage students to become aware of careers in this field and to make crafts an important part of their lives.

  Functional Design (Crafts) III & IV………..Grades 11 & 12

Levels III and IV offer the student who has successfully completed the two foundation years of Functional Design (Crafts) the opportunity to pursue specific areas of interest in depth.  The student will select units from a wide range of design and craft areas.  In addition to those areas listed in Functional Design I & II, a student may choose to work in such fields as advanced leather work, jewelry design, wheel pottery. stained glass, weaving, silk screen, print making or fiber arts.  All students will plan original work and will develop a greater awareness of the field through the study of its history, field trips, and the observation of contemporary work.
Prerequisite:  Functional Design (Crafts) I and II

  Fine Arts I & II ………………………………Grades 9 - 12

The first two years of Fine Arts provide the student with a strong foundation in the design, production, history, and appreciation of traditional and contemporary visual arts.  These basic courses offer instruction in the elements and principles design, basic drawing from observation, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, computer art, and print making using a variety of media such as charcoal, pastels, water color, ink, and clay.  In the first year, emphasis is placed on learning to see and depict objects realistically while more abstract forms are developed in level two.  Art history, aesthetics, criticism, and career studies are also included.  Students begin to develop their portfolios of original work.

  Fine Arts III & IV …………………………Grades 11 & I2

This is a very individualized program.  More complex techniques are taught at these level classes and more advanced materials are used.  For example, students may work in oils, acrylics, wood, plaster, and clay.  Emphasis is placed on originality and creativity.  Students may select units of personal interest, learning in a new medium or developing greater skill in a medium covered in the past.  Trips to museums and guest speakers from art schools and colleges further enrich the classes.  Help is given in developing an art portfolio for art school or college applications.  Art history, aesthetics, criticism, and career studies are also included.
Prerequisite: Fine Arts I and II