Visual and Performing Arts

The Visual and Performing Arts graduation requirement is 1½ credits. One credit must be a course. The half credit may be a semester course or one of the options listed on page 33. Courses must be taken for a full year unless otherwise stated.

VISUAL ARTS

Ceramics I

Explore the basics of wheel throwing and hand-building in an introductory ceramics studio course. The course includes a historical survey of functional and sculptural ceramic ware and an examination of clay, glaze, decoration methods, and the firing process. Students design a motif and create original tableware for daily use and make realistic and abstract sculptures. Note: This course can be taken for a full year or fall semester only. It is open to students in grades 9-12.

Ceramics II

Students expand on their knowledge of Ceramics, refining their wheel throwing and handbuilding skills and take a deeper dive into Ceramic surface treatments.Utilizing coil building, slab building, pinching and wheel forming methods, students begin to make more complex forms. Students have the opportunity to focus on personal interest projects.This course covers the use of special construction techniques for creating large-scale ceramic objects and forms and surfaces for architectural spaces. As part of the experience mold making and slip casting techniques are taught. Students work with low fire and mid-range clays. Finishing processes include underglaze, slip colored glazes, majolica, sgraffito, stenciling and cold finishes. Instruction is given learning how to fire electric and potentially pit firing. Prerequisite: Ceramics I. Ceramics II may be taken for one semester

Media Arts I

Media Arts I is a foundation course which introduces the basic design elements of line, shape, texture, value, and color and illustrates how they are applied to the world of digital design. Students gain a basic knowledge of a variety of digital applications and their practical and aesthetic capabilities through the hands-on use of computers, scanners, and digital cameras, and begin to develop unique and personal expressions in art and design. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving and independent thinking through sketchbook use in which they record their explorations and discoveries. Students are introduced to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign. Note: This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

Media Arts II

In Media Arts II, students build on their skills and knowledge of design elements and principles developed in Media Arts I. Each project explores real-world applications of core design concepts such as composition, typography, and imagery as they apply to practical visual solutions for commissions, editorials, web and app design, and identity branding systems. Students engage in conversations, experimentation, and hands-on applications of traditional and digital graphic design tools, materials and procedures employed in the communication art and design industry. Students continue to use sketchbooks, and deepen their knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students are also introduced to web and app design using the program Sketch. Prerequisite: Media Arts I.

Media Arts III

Students in Media Arts III explore advanced graphic design projects and topics using digital 3D design, augmented reality design, animation, and web and app design/prototyping. This class expands on topics in visual marketing, emphasizing and studying diversity, equity, and inclusion in branding, product design, and advertising campaigns, demonstrating the importance and impact of DEI work in graphic design and art. Prerequisite: Media Arts II.

Photography I: Introduction to Digital Photography

Through photographing weekly, in-class demonstrations, lectures, and critique, students engage in the problems of digital photographic production and seeing. The course focuses on the technical and aesthetic issues of producing, editing, and printing digitally captured files. Students leave this course with the following five things: 1) a comprehensive understanding of digital camera exposure, 2) a working knowledge of digital workflow in Camera Raw and Photoshop, 3) the skills to produce prints, 4) a working knowledge of contemporary and historical photographers, and 5) an in-progress body of photographic work. In addition, students learn to articulate the successes and failures in their own work and the work of others. Through regular discussions, writing assignments, and opportunities to lead a class, students develop and refine their individual abilities to analyze, understand, and decode visual information.

Photography II: Intermediate Black and White Photography

In this technical course, students learn to expose, develop and print 35mm black and white film. This course requires students to shoot 35mm film provided by the school, process negatives, print in the darkroom, and discuss their work and the work of their peers. Students leave this course with a technical understanding of film exposure, advanced darkroom printing techniques, and an inprogress body of photographic work. In addition, students learn to articulate the successes and failures in their own work and the work of others. Through regular discussions, writing assignments, and opportunities to lead a class, students develop and refine their individual abilities to analyze, understand, and decode visual information. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography I.

Photography III / IV Honors

This course is an advanced photography class that starts with directed projects and concludes with more selfdesigned projects that come out of student interest and can include digital or darkroom using knowledge from Photography I and II. It is a course designed to move students to create more conceptual work. Throughout the year, students work on assembling a cohesive and professional portfolio, conduct a major research project, develop critique technique, submit to outside exhibitions and create a website. A final showcase of work is displayed at the end of the year and all seniors participate in the Senior Showcase. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography II or Photography III Honors.

Studio Art I

This is a foundation course in which students work to create drawings and designs using the basic elements of art; line, shape, form, texture, value, perspective, color, and composition are all emphasized. Students have an opportunity to develop foundation skills and to work with a variety of techniques and media, which may include pencil, charcoal, colored pencils, pen, oil and chalk pastel, watercolor, acrylic paints, wire, cardboard and more. Through observational drawing, collage, pen illustration, mixed-media, painting, sculpture, etc., students gain important skills, solve problems and take pleasure in the creative process. Students participate in class critiques and discussions, as well as small pair and share groups, and study historical and contemporary artists and styles. Personal expression and experimentation with ideas and materials are emphasized in homework, sketchbooks, and various projects. Note: This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

Studio Art II

This course provides an opportunity for students to advance and deepen their drawing, design and painting skills. At the same time this course introduces students to the study of sculptural design and merges the use of 3-dimensional media with observational and experimental drawing and painting. Students use both familiar and, new and unusual materials, such as plaster, found objects, wood, and wire to create works that explore surface design and space. Note: This course may be taken for a full year or one semester (fall or spring). Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art I.

Studio Art III / IV Honors

This class hones a student’s observational drawing skills, critical vocabulary and promotes a disciplined studio schedule. Students have the opportunity to experience a sequence of classes that focus on and explore the fundamentals of visual art, two- and three-dimensional design and drawing by applying knowledge gained in previous years. Students continue their work on individual portfolios developed since a student’s first Upper School Studio Arts class with the goal to be ready for college submissions. Students are required to work on projects during class time, but a large portion of the work involves studio hours outside of class contact. During class sessions, students begin building a vocabulary for discussing their art as well as the work of others in a constructive and exploratory way. Students will understand Art as an individual expression, as well as its impact on and response to social, cultural and political realms are also integral aspects of these courses. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Studio Art II or Studio Art III Honors.

Textile & Design

This course provides students with a foundation in the creation and functional use of various textiles, applying design principles and practices. Projects include fashion illustration, textile sculptures, constructed textiles (weaving, embroidery), and designed textiles (patterns, silk screen printing) using both hands and digital tools to create work. As the most common industry that uses textiles is the fashion industry, the culminating final project is drawing, designing, and sewing simple garments. Prerequisite: Successful completion of a visual art class.

PERFORMING ARTS

Piano Lab I

This course includes the fundamental basics to play the piano for beginners including the basics of technique, music theory, harmony, notation, and improvisation. Students develop effective practice habits and strategies as they prepare for class performances. Note: This semester course is open to students in grades 9-12.

Piano Lab II

This intermediate course is an opportunity for students to continue piano instruction. Applying their growing knowledge and skills, each student progresses through an individualized curriculum designed specifically around her own skills and musical interests. Different genres ranging from Baroque to Ragtime are learned. Effective practice habits and strategies continue to be developed. Students perform for each other as solo and in small groups. Note: This semester course is open to students in grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Piano Lab I or basic piano skills and recommendation of the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

Theatre I

This year-long foundation course is designed to give the student an increased appreciation and experience in theatre as an art form. The students have an opportunity to learn about all major aspects of theatre. They explore acting technique, voice, theatre history and criticism as well as script writing. There is a large emphasis on the basics of acting, allowing the opportunity for self -expression, selfdiscovery and developing emotional intelligence. Note: This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

Theatre II

This year-long course continues and expands on theory and technique explored in Theatre I. Students are challenged to develop a deeper understanding of the principles presented in prior classes as they apply to writing, design, and production. Performance/Design opportunities are identified and developed throughout the year. Note: This course is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre I or by audition.