Digital Media introduces students to the fundamentals of digital art and design through hands-on projects using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fresco.  Students will explore graphic design, digital illustration, and digital fabrication while developing skills in visual communication and creative problem-solving.  Emphasis is placed on thinking outside the box, applying design principles, and using digital tools to express original ideas.  By the end of the course, students will have created a digital portfolio showcasing their creative growth and technical skills.  

This course will serve as entry to the novice art student who is interested in building a foundation, growing her artistic experience, and exploring the visual arts in a studio setting. Students will learn various art mediums and use artists’ tools to create Art, preparing them for future studio courses. Students will gain knowledge of Art Elements and Principles of Design while strengthening their creative expression. Each student will keep a well-developed sketchbook. In this class, students will function as an art community in which they experience class critiques and work together to support the unique artistic expression of their peers.

This course will serve as entry to the novice art student who is interested in building a foundation, growing her artistic experience, and exploring the visual arts in a studio setting. Students will learn various art mediums and use artists' tools to create Art, preparing them for future studio courses. Students will gain knowledge of Art Elements and Principles of Design while strengthening their creative expression. Each student will keep a well-developed sketchbook. In this class, students will function as an art community in which they experience class critiques and work together to support the unique artistic expression of their peers.

Studio Art 2 is intended for students who show a strong interest in art and wish to extend their skills knowledge in Painting, Drawing and Design. Focus will be on the development of skills within these foundational areas. Studio opportunities involve projects that promote growth of observational skills and visual thinking. The course is structured, yet offers students the flexibility to choose various mediums and visual forms of expression. Working with and exploring the works of the masters, from traditional to contemporary, will guide students through problems of composition and technique. Students will individually showcase their own artwork, displaying their visual voice through a reflective portfolio.

Studio Art 2 is intended for students who show a strong interest in art and wish to extend their skills knowledge in Painting, Drawing and Design. Focus will be on the development of skills within these foundational areas. Studio opportunities involve projects that promote growth of observational skills and visual thinking. The course is structured, yet offers students the flexibility to choose various mediums and visual forms of expression. Working with and exploring the works of the masters, from traditional to contemporary, will guide students through problems of composition and technique. Students will individually showcase their own artwork, displaying their visual voice through a reflective portfolio.

Honors Studio Art is a rigorous course emphasizing personal development in the fine arts and focusing on using a range of conceptual approaches. The core of this course consists of intensive, guided exploration of media, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, group or individual critiques, reflections, drawing activities, and frequent sketch booking. The work will be structured and varied, and students will be able to choose mediums based on experience, individual strengths, and preferences for many assignments. Concepts of critical and aesthetic thinking skills learned in previous art courses will be applied to exemplar works and to students' own art works. Students will be encouraged to use these skills to develop artwork that expresses their personal voice. This course is intended for students who exhibit a strong interest in art and wish to extend their skills and knowledge. Successful completion of this course will develop the bulk of a college portfolio and/or the preparation of an AP Studio Art Portfolio.

Honors Studio Art is a rigorous course emphasizing personal development in the fine arts and focusing on using a range of conceptual approaches. The core of this course consists of intensive, guided exploration of media, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, group or individual critiques, reflections, drawing activities, and frequent sketch booking. The work will be structured and varied, and students will be able to choose mediums based on experience, individual strengths, and preferences for many assignments. Concepts of critical and aesthetic thinking skills learned in previous art courses will be applied to exemplar works and to students' own art works. Students will be encouraged to use these skills to develop artwork that expresses their personal voice. This course is intended for students who exhibit a strong interest in art and wish to extend their skills and knowledge. Successful completion of this course will develop the bulk of a college portfolio and/or the preparation of an AP Studio Art Portfolio.

AP Art and Design is a yearlong course for highly motivated students who seeks a rigorous and focused study of art with a focus on Clay as medium.  The core of the course consists of intensive, guided exploration of media, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, group or individual critiques, reflections, and frequent sketch booking.  Students are expected to work more independently: mastering their media and engaging deeply with the themes and content of their concentration and preparing for the Annual Spring Art Show.  In building the portfolio, students experience a variety of concepts, techniques and approaches designed to help them demonstrate their technical skill, problem solving, and conceptualization.  This course is focused on the creation of a portfolio that is successful in both aspects of development: selected works and sustained investigation - as outlined by the College Board; and provides perfect opportunity for growth in skill and discovery of personal interests in art making, and is a springboard for acceptance at an art school.  This is a college course equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university Studio Art survey course.  Students will submit an AP Portfolio consisting of their best works in AP 3D-Art and Design to the College board for evaluation at the end of the school year.  

AP Art and Design is a year-long course for the highly motivated student who seeks a rigorous and focused study of art. The core of the course consists of intensive, guided exploration of media, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, group or individual critiques, reflections, and frequent sketch booking. Students are expected to work more independently: mastering their media and engaging deeply with the themes and content of their concentration and preparing for the annual spring Art Show. In building the portfolio, students experience a variety of concepts, techniques and approaches designed to help them demonstrate their technical skill, problem solving, and conceptualization. This course is focused on the creation of a portfolio that is successful in both aspects of development: selected works and sustained investigation - as outlined by the College Board; and provides perfect opportunity for growth in skill and discovery of personal interests in art making, and is a springboard for acceptance at an art school. This is a college course equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university Studio Art survey course. Students will submit an AP Portfolio consisting of their best works in one of the following categories of AP 2D-Design, AP 3D-Art and Design, or AP Drawing to the College Board for evaluation at the end of the school year.

This is a year-long course and is designed for students who are seriously interested in art-making with a focus on photography and promotes the sustained investigation of portfolio development. The core of the course consists of intensive, guided exploration of photography, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, shooting assignments, group or individual critiques, reflections, and frequent sketch booking. Students are expected to work more independently: mastering their media and engaging deeply with the themes and content of their concentration. In building the portfolio, students experience a variety of concepts, techniques and approaches designed to help them demonstrate their technical skill, problem solving, a and conceptualization. The AP Studio Art experience is centered on the creation of a portfolio that is successful in both development: selected works and sustained investigation as outlined by the College Board; and provides perfect opportunity for growth in skill and discovery of personal interests in art making, and is a springboard for acceptance at an art school. This is a College Course Equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university Studio Art survey course. Students will submit an AP Portfolio consisting of their best works in the category of 2-D Art and Design to the College Board for evaluation at the end of the school year.

AP Art and Design is a yearlong course for highly motivated students who seeks a rigorous and focused study of art with a focus on Jewelry and Metals.  The core of the course consists of intensive, guided exploration of media, demonstrations, reference gathering, inspirational lectures and presentations, group or individual critiques, reflections, and frequent sketch booking.  Students are expected to work more independently: mastering their media and engaging deeply with the themes and content of their concentration and preparing for the Annual Spring Art Show.  In building the portfolio, students experience a variety of concepts, techniques and approaches designed to help them demonstrate their technical skill, problem solving, and conceptualization.  This course is focused on the creation of a portfolio that is successful in both aspects of development: selected works and sustained investigation - as outlined by the College Board; and provides perfect opportunity for growth in skill and discovery of personal interests in art making, and is a springboard for acceptance at an art school.

Graphic Design expands on the skills learned in Digital Media, focusing on visual communication and design principles using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.  Students will explore typography, layout, and branding while creating original designs for print and digital media.  The course emphasizes creativity, concept development, and professional design practices.

Digital Illustration builds on the foundations of Digital Media, guiding students through advanced techniques in digital drawing and painting using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fresco, and Wacom tablets.  Students will explore visual storytelling, character and concept design, and personal artistic style while creating expressive, professional-quality illustrations.  Emphasis is placed on developing creative thinking, technical proficiency, and a strong digital profile.

Photography will help students develop visual literacy skills and build a basic knowledge of photography. Students will learn about and understand the Elements of Art and Principles of Design as it relates to photography. A portfolio of various traditional and digital assignments will be developed throughout the course. Concentration will be on the development of technical skills and the refinement of aesthetic understanding and compositional strategies. The study of historical and contemporary photographers will inspire her own artistic and creative use of the camera. This course introduces the student to knowledge of both 35 mm and digital photography. Students will learn the science of exposure related to traditional film and how it translates to our digital technology, the history of photography, darkroom procedures, and digital editing using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom software. Access to a DSLR is recommended; however, there are a limited number of cameras that can be borrowed for digital assignments. All film cameras will be provided.

Photography 2 will concentrate on helping her refine her technical and compositional skills, and develop her personal style through experimentation. She will experience areas of photography such as portraits, nature, architectural, macro, still life, commercial, and conceptual. A greater stress will be placed on composition, presentation, and technical skill. This course will focus on digital photography, however there will be the option to work with film, alternative processes, or to combine traditional darkroom techniques with digital technology. Access to a DSLR is recommended; however, there are a limited number of cameras that can be borrowed for digital assignments. All film cameras will be provided.

In this hands-on course, students will explore the artistry and technical skills needed to design and create unique metal jewelry. Through practical exercises and personal projects, students will learn to work with copper, brass, and sterling silver to craft rings, pendants, earrings, and other wearable pieces. The course covers essential jewelry-making techniques, including cutting, polishing, soldering, and stone setting. Students will learn to master tools like torches, saws, hammers, and various power tools, discovering how to shape, texture, and finish metal. Additionally, they will experiment with patinas to add color and depth to their work to enhance their designs. By the end of the course, each student will have a small portfolio of custom-made jewelry and a foundational knowledge of metalsmithing processes and techniques.

Students will be given assignments that build upon the foundational experiences of Jewelry and Metals 1. Students are now expected to work more independently. They will be required to continue to develop in their craftsmanship and expand their own creative vision by researching contemporary artists and using new technology such as laser cutting to create their jewelry.

By immersing herself in the spirit of clay, the ceramic student will find her Visual Voice as she builds three dimensional objects from what once was rock. Connecting to the earth and learning to use the ancient techniques of pinch, slab and coil, she will not only build but also recycle. Her own expressions will emerge into revealing growth in design and craftsmanship. These efforts yielding this sacred connection will be recorded through a journal of thumbnail sketches, diagrams, notes and photos, from beginning seedlings of ideas through all the stages of construction, drying, firing, under-glazing and glazing through to its finished presentation. Keeping this visual journal will allow for recreating similar results again.

Students will practice advanced techniques with the basic hand building methods of pinch, coil and slab. They will also be introduced to throwing on the wheel to form aesthetic and functional vessels. Global sources will be studied for their rich heritage. Techniques for throwing, trimming and balancing will be learned. Experimentation with glazes and surface design of the clay will be encouraged.

The AP Art History course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university art history survey course. This course invites students to explore the global art world through studying the nature of art, its uses, its meanings, and its creators from pre-history to the present. Students will engage with the visual elements of 250 works of art from across the world and their historical and cultural contexts gaining understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions and art movements. Students will discover a rich array of media, artistic endeavors, and interpretations. Students' minds and spirits will be enriched and enlightened as we journey through history - ARTISTICALLY!

Honors Art History is a truly global and interdisciplinary course of study.
This lively class explores past and present cultures and invites students to discover the
diversity in and among forms of artistic expression throughout history and from around
the world. Contemporary, intellectual, social and artistic developments, as well as
historic inventions encompass the course’s rich curriculum. Investigating beautiful
works of art and architecture happens daily in this class. Students will; use visual
analysis and critical thinking; be able to identify art, artists, and art language; and
experience art-making; all of which will help them understand the history of humanity
through art.

Visual Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design) is a creative process that
combines the visual arts and technology to communicate ideas and messages. The visual
communication designer creates and manages the production of designs that inform,
educate, persuade, and entertain.

This course supports the idea that a designer makes a difference in our world. Students will experience how design professionals create, meet deadlines, collaborate, and revise projects. Adobe Creative Cloud Software will serve as a tool for student designers to express their ideas. Projects will include a variety of print, social, and web designs in a variety of concepts based on personal interests. Take this class and see how to positively affect the future of our visual culture!

Visual Communication Design 2 (formerly Graphic Design 2) further develops the idea that designers can visually shape communication and ideas in today’s world.

In this course, students will be encouraged to develop a particular area of interest, a more personal response to design, as well as address their own identity as visual communications designers. Self-expression and observation are key elements of this course and will be enhanced by the use of Adobe Creative Cloud software. Students will be able to address and answer many design questions through both guided and independent projects.