Art Archives - Beaver Country Day School

Mathematics, Design, and Art

Interests: Architecture, Art, Design, Graphic Design, Math

Discover the beauty where mathematics, design and art intersect. Students will explore mathematical concepts and their applications in artistic fields, including geometry, symmetry, patterns, and proportions. Through hands-on projects and creative problem-solving, students will work with a variety of media to study and create connections between math, architecture, design, visual art, and more. This course provides a unique opportunity to deepen mathematical understanding while fostering creativity and innovation.
Students can opt to take this class at the Honors level
Prerequisites: Integrated Math 2 or Algebra 1

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Printmaking

Interests: Art, Storytelling, Technology

This course seeks to deepen students' understanding of the many processes of traditional printmaking by making multiples of the same image. Screenprinting, Drypoint, Relief, Monoprint, and everything in between will be explored. Students will develop a portfolio of prints, as well as examine the processes of printmaking as a tool for garment manufacture, fine arts, graphic design, and mixed-media artmaking. Be prepared to try new and unfamiliar processes as well as hone your skills in one process.

Prerequisites: Intro to Photography, or Intro to 2D, or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Studio Practice

Interests: Art, Film, Research, Storytelling

For Seniors who have built their skills and developed personal concepts for their artwork. How will you continue to build your creative voice after graduation? Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up.” This course will explore creative strategies to keep art in your life after high school, including workshopping, refining your interests, and learning to seek out and enjoy seeing art in the world. Open to 12th graders who have taken at least one level 2 class and with permission from the Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Mixed Media

Interests: Art, Film

If you are committed to Mixed Media and ready to go deeper, this class is for you. Working with materials you already know and love, you will develop a portfolio of works about a particular theme. Research into how and why artists have used layering and alternative materials in their art will support your studio practice. Prerequisites: Mixed Media and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Digital Art

Interests: Art, Business, Design, Film, Media, Sports, Technology

This course builds off your technical skills and interests in Digital Art. You will enhance your understanding of digital art-making tools while developing your point of view as a digital artist. Researching contemporary digital practices will support your self-directed process and help you explore how to display your work on campus. Prerequisites: Digital Art and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Ceramics

Interests: Art, Hands On

This course is dedicated to the exploration of how a ball of clay can lead us toward complex ideas and functional objects. Based on hand-building techniques and wheel throwing students will focus on form, structure, making mistakes, and idea development. By exploring the cultural connections of food and community and the rituals they were created for, students will build vessels and tableware for a social gathering. There will be time for students to design their paths as their skills and confidence grow to give them more control over the objects they envision. Prerequisites: Intro to 3D or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

9th

Visual Arts

Mixed Media

Interests: Art, Film

Find. Cut. Glue. Spray. Transfer. Draw. Repeat. How do we create meaning through layering? Combining what we find and collect, we will develop innovative ways to build two-dimensional works of art. Rubber stamps, collage, fiber art, and wax are just some of the techniques and materials we will explore. We will also look at contemporary artists who create meaning by layering materials and techniques, discuss the results of our experiments with each other, and share ideas on a regular basis. Be prepared to play, to make a mess, and to produce a lot of work. Prerequisites: Intro to 2D or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

11th

Visual Arts

Studio Practice

Interests: Art, Film, Research, Storytelling

This class creates the community, structure, and space for the most serious artists to pursue their work. Students taking this class have shown to be independent, dedicated artists prepared to bring their interests to the class. Group critiques, research in contemporary art, readings, and documentation of the creative process will be major elements of the course. Open to 11th graders who have taken at least one level 2 course with the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Performing Arts

Costume & Fashion Design Studio

Interests: Art, Design, Fashion, Film, Hands On, Research, Storytelling, Theater

Drawing from many disciplines and utilizing a variety of skills and technology, students will learn to research and communicate their ideas through a series of student-driven individual projects and mainstage shows. Students will explore the visual communication, history, and impact of clothing both on the stage and in everyday life, and they will deepen their understanding of the principles of costume and fashion design. Students will also learn the skills and techniques needed to then create their own designs. These techniques may include research, collage, sketching, digital sketching, figure drawing, sewing, draping, pattern making, tailoring, dyeing, distressing, painting, and craft. Students entering this class should be highly motivated and work well independently. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Three Term Course No Prerequisite Required.

11th

12th

Performing Arts

Advanced Design & Tech (Honors)

Interests: Architecture, Art, Coding, Design, Engineering, Film, Hands On, Programming, Storytelling, Theater

Advanced Design & Tech is a one-term, process-to-production course designed to prepare students for 2 public performances at Beaver. The course begins by focusing on script analysis and design, and then students work as theater technicians and designers to bring the play to fruition with the Advanced Theater Acting and Advanced Costume Design classes. Technical theater roles encompass areas such as stage management, set, light, and sound design as well as technical direction and engineering. Students entering this class should be highly motivated and interested in an intense and exciting experience that requires a great deal of commitment. This course involves two weeks of rehearsal outside of the regular school day at the end of the process so that the play can be performed in its entirety while adding technical elements and costumes. Recent productions include She Kills Monsters and Humpty Dumpty. One Term Course: Winter Term Prerequisites: Design & Tech Studio or permission of the instructor.

10th

11th

12th

Performing Arts

Design & Tech Studio

Interests: Architecture, Art, Coding, Design, Engineering, Film, Hands On, Programming, Storytelling, Theater

Design & Tech Studio is a course for students interested in Technical Theater and/or Theatrical Design. Drawing from many disciplines and utilizing a variety of skills and technology, students will learn to research and communicate their ideas through a series of student-driven individual projects and mainstage shows, allowing them to learn and utilize design and production tools as well as carpentry, scenic painting, props, lighting, and sound. Students will explore how theater artists use these tools for creative problem solving and to communicate with audience members. The successful student would gain an understanding of shop and theater safe working practices, basic construction skills, knowledge of lighting and sound instrumentation and rigging, as well as how communication, planning, and collaboration are central to the health of a theater production. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Three Term Course No Prerequisites.

9th

Visual Arts

Introduction to Visual Arts

Interests: Art, Film, Hands On, Storytelling

Learn how to find ideas by experimenting with materials, tools, and artistic thought. This class will give you a foundation to explore a range of mediums like drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and digital arts. We will also focus on building community and developing the possibilities of what art can be.