Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts curriculum is a studio-based model where faculty are facilitators and demonstrators, guiding students to generate and pursue ideas through 2D, 3D, and digital art. This includes sculpture, photography, video, drawing, painting, and new media.
We encourage creativity, exploration, and innovation while fostering the technical skills and knowledge that serve as the building blocks of art making. Critiques, documentation, and presentations are essential elements of the program, emphasizing both process and product.
Students experiment and gain confidence with a wide range of materials and techniques. We embolden them to draw from their interests and experiences when developing content for their art and also use art as a form of research to discover new worlds.
Requirements
All students must complete 20 full credits within the arts department (performing and/or visual) for graduation. This requirement may be met by taking two full years of a given field of study or by sampling a variety of disciplines within the departmental electives.
Honors
Only Senior Studio is offered for honors.
Visual Arts Level I Courses
Introduction to Visual Arts
Introduction to Visual Arts
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.
… [read more]Intro to 2D
Intro to 2D
This course is an introduction to the materials and methods used by two-dimensional artists. We will explore the techniques needed for drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and digital art and learn how artists develop ideas for their work. Working with a wide range of subject matter, by the end of the term, you will have a good
… sense of your interests in art and be able to design a self-directed project.Prerequisites: Intro to Visual Arts or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Intro to 3D
Intro to 3D
Learn the foundational process to explore your ideas in three dimensions. Instruction will cover a range of materials, tools, and techniques in the intersection of design, craft, and building things you can use. This includes introductions to ceramics, plaster, resin, woodworking, and 3D printing. Regular discussion of The World of Art and Art History will provide
… context for our work. Critiques, documentation, and presentation will be essential elements of the class to help your skills.Prerequisites: Intro to Visual Arts or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Intro to Photography
Intro to Photography
This course spans photographic processes from the first camera to the darkroom, to the DSLR, to digital post-production Adobe Tools. As photographers, students will learn to observe light, color, and composition to better understand how to make a photograph. Reflecting, discussing, and thinking critically about the world of photography will lead to deeper ideas.
Prerequisites: Intro
… to Visual Arts or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head. [read more]Visual Arts Level II Courses
Drawing + Painting
Drawing + Painting
Building on your prior knowledge of drawing and painting, you will expand your technical skills and work with new materials in this course. Concepts and subject matter for your work will come from your interests, and you will have the opportunity to design your own studio practice at the end of the term. Regular discussion of
… The World of Art and Art History will provide context for our work. Critiques, documentation, and presentation will be essential elements of the class, emphasizing process and product.Prerequisites: Intro to 2D or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Digital Art
Digital Art
Step into the world where creativity meets technology—where your imagination can run wild and your ideas come to life with the click of a button. Whether you’re already comfortable behind the screen or new to digital media, you will learn a variety of digital tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate while also experimenting with the capabilities
Prerequisites: Intro to Photography, or Intro to 2D, or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
Mixed Media
Mixed Media
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.
[read more]Printmaking
Printmaking
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
Prerequisites: Intro to Photography, or Intro to 2D, or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
Sculpture
Sculpture
Go deeper into the how and why humans have made things throughout time. We will investigate objects that were designed for functional uses as well as objects that were made to function as art solely. You’ll have options to build with your hands and/or software, including woodworking, ceramics, plaster, resin, and 3D modeling. Regular discussion of
… The World of Art and Art History will provide context for our work. Critiques, documentation, and presentation will be essential elements of the class, with an emphasis on both process and product.Prerequisites: Intro to 3D or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Installation Art
Installation Art
How does place affect and define our sense of being? How can we intentionally and artistically alter these places? This course pulls from a history of artists changing our surroundings indoors/outdoors and in physical community space and virtual spaces. You’ll work collaboratively to create these installations/interventions and collaborate with the participants/audience. Regular discussion of The World
… of Art and Art History will provide context for our work. Critiques, documentation, and presentation will be essential elements of the class, with an emphasis on both process and product.Prerequisites: Sculpture or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Ceramics
Ceramics
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.
[read more]Graphic Design
Graphic Design
How does design impact how we think, learn, and interact? In this course we will investigate these questions as we explore how graphic communication is woven into our daily lives. Students will gain insight into a range of graphic design applications such as branding and advertising, illustration, typography, information design, and editorial publication. Working primarily with
… Adobe Illustrator, students will develop their digital drawing and design skills while establishing a workflow between Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. [read more]Video: Moving Media
Video: Moving Media
Level up your movie-making skills with lighting, green screens, DSLR cameras, microphones, and new scriptwriting techniques. Use simple tools like smartphones, Capcut, Photoshop, Premiere, and iMovie to edit to elevate your visuals. Themes of storytelling and narrative through moving images will be the focus of this course. Styles of filmmaking are limited only by your imagination!
… Music videos, stop motion animation, and projection are all possible. Regular screening and analysis of short films from the world of art, youth media, and the commercial world will provide inspiration and context for our work. You will have a portfolio and a “Reel” to showcase your work at the end of the course.Prerequisites: Intro to Photography or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
(This class may be taken more than once.)
[read more]Visual Arts Level III Courses
Advanced Ceramics
Advanced Ceramics
This course builds off the foundational skills from Ceramics and provides the opportunity to expand on hand-building and wheel-throwing practices. You will explore your point of view as a ceramicist by creating a portfolio inspired by a theme or chosen process. Research into how and why artists have and continue to use clay as a method
… of expression and functionality will support your studio practice.Prerequisites: Ceramics and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Advanced Digital Art
Advanced Digital Art
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. [read more]Advanced Drawing + Painting
Advanced Drawing + Painting
If you are committed to drawing or painting and ready to go deeper and work more independently, this class is for you. You will develop a portfolio of works about a particular theme while practicing your technical skills. Researching the subject matter and techniques used by artists throughout history will support your studio practice.
Prerequisites: Drawing
… + Painting and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head. [read more]Advanced Photo: Alternative Processes
Advanced Photo: Alternative Processes
Students will mesh digital tools, analog, and darkroom styles throughout this course. What if photography could be sculpture, wearable, large-scale, or transparent? Print on fabric, or unique surfaces, sew into your images, and manipulate images using a wide array of techniques. This course is designed for students who seek to push the boundaries of Photography. The
… world of fine art, craft, youth media, and the commercial world will provide inspiration and context for our work.Prerequisites: Intro to Photography or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Advanced Mixed Media
Advanced Mixed Media
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.
[read more]Studio Practice
Studio Practice
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.
[read more]Advanced Studio Practice
Advanced Studio Practice
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.
[read more]Senior Studio (Honors)
Senior Studio (Honors)
Culminating with the annual Senior Show, this 2-term class creates the community, structure, and space for the most serious artists to pursue their own work. Students taking this class have shown to be independent, dedicated artists who are prepared to bring their interests to the class. No projects are assigned. Group critiques, research in contemporary art,
… readings, and documentation of the creative process will be major elements of the course.Open to 12th graders with the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.
[read more]Examples from the Visual Arts classroom
On Display: Students capture photos with pinhole cameras
