This foundational course serves as a prerequisite for all other art courses. Art I provides students with comprehensive experiences in artistic processes, media exploration and historical connections. Through hands-on exploration of various media in both 2d and 3d Art – including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, clay, fibers and digital art, students will develop technical skills and problem solving abilities. Art I is a two- semester sequence course with the first semester being a prerequisite to the second semester.

Pre-AP offers four year-long courses in the Arts: Pre-AP Dance, Pre-AP Music, Pre-AP Theatre, and Pre-AP Visual Arts. These four distinct courses share themes, underlying unit foundations, and areas of focus. Frameworks, model lessons, and performance assessments are specific to each course and are designed to be incorporated into schools’ existing performance-focused arts courses. Frameworks are structured around skills associated with ideation, experimentation, creation, revision, reflection, and analysis—processes and activities that artists use while producing their work. The Pre-AP Arts areas of focus are vertically aligned to the practices embedded in high school and college arts courses, including AP. This gives students multiple opportunities to prioritize and strengthen these disciplinary skills throughout their course of study: analysis and interpretation, peer to peer dialogue, experimentation, and reflective writing.

Students will build on the skills and knowledge learned in Art I, with a focus on developing advanced techniques in both 2D and 3D art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, fibers, and digital art. Students will explore creative concepts and personal expression while experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, portfolio development, and effective communication about art, both written and verbal. The course will also introduce students to potential career paths and vocational opportunities in the visual arts.

The Digital Art course will place an emphasis on the use of technology and various digital imaging programs. Students will learn to use digital software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator as a non-traditional approach to produce a body of artwork focusing on digital communication and digital media exploration. Students will be able to transfer original drawings, painting and photography and have the ability to enhance their artwork using various digital imaging techniques that are in alignment with industry and career standards. Portfolio development, correct oral and written communication, as they relate to the visual arts, will be integral in all aspects of this course.

This course will focus on exploring various drawing techniques, media, and subject matter to enhance student perception and drawing skills. Emphasis will be placed on the development of eye-hand coordination, composition, and mark-making to encourage personal creativity and self-awareness. Students will have the opportunity to be in various art exhibitions and competitions.

This course will focus on exploring various painting techniques, media and subject matter to enhance student perception and painting skills. Media exploration will range from acrylic, oil, watercolor, and non-traditional techniques to build on prior knowledge and skills, and to promote an appreciation of styles throughout history, from the classical to the contemporary. Students will have the opportunity to be in various art exhibitions and competitions.

Art students may elect to concentrate on clay as an art form. Activities will center on production of functional objects such as bowls, goblets, vases, plates, etc., and non-functional throwing techniques on the potter’s wheel and application of glazes. The study culminates in the integration of wheel thrown and hand built forms for sculptural effects. Portfolio development, correct oral and written communication, as they relate to the visual arts, will be integral in all aspects of this course. Vocational opportunities and requirements will be analyzed.

This course provides students with opportunities for advanced artistic specialization in specific media and art techniques in 2D and/or 3D art. Through student-centered learning experiences, students will explore creative problem-solving techniques that foster personal artistic growth and the development of individual style. Emphasis will be placed on creative expression, understanding art in relation to self and environment, and exploring careers in the visual arts. Portfolio development, along with effective oral and written communication related to visual arts, will be essential components of the course.

This course will build upon Art II Drawing with an emphasis on using 2D media, such as pencil, charcoal, pen and ink and paint . Students will be encouraged to expand their technical skills and creativity through a variety of in depth projects and study of various artists from the Renaissance masters to the contemporary. Students will have the opportunity to be in various art exhibitions and competitions.

This course will build upon Art II Painting with an emphasis on design and conceptual thinking. Students will be encouraged to expand their technical skills and creativity through a variety of in depth projects and study of various artists throughout history. Students will have the opportunity to be in various art exhibitions and competitions.

This course is designed for the art student who has successfully completed Art II Ceramics. The student will engage in learning activities that will focus on advanced ceramic techniques, ceramic technology, and ceramic chemistry. Portfolio development, correct written and oral communication, as it relates to ceramics, will be stressed. Vocational opportunities and requirements will be analyzed.

The Digital Art III course will build upon Digital Art II with an emphasis on design and conceptual thinking in the digital art medium. Students will gain a higher degree of specialization and expand their technical skills on a variety of in-depth digital art projects, while gaining exposure to diverse editing programs and tools.Students will continue to develop their portfolio and communication skills as they relate to the visual arts. Students will have the opportunity to be in a variety of exhibitions and shows.