Philosophy:
The Art
Department fosters visual literacy, self expression, creative growth,
discovery and mastery of application skills. Creative learning helps
students relate visual knowledge to other core subjects by responding to
problem solving with originality, appreciation, flexibility and
imagination. Courses offered by our department provide the opportunity
for students to achieve at their individual level and grow from there.
Art students’ accomplishments are celebrated in school displays, the
annual spring Fenton Art Festival, and/or a community show.
2D ART
Sketching,
drawing, painting, and printing are all a part of the 2D Art class. The
secrets to drawing what you see are unleashed in this course. Media
that may be used includes pencil, charcoal, marker, oil
pastels, monoprints, and watercolor. Multiple themes and styles will be
explored and students will leave this class speaking the language of
art. Students who enjoy the drawing aspect of this course can go on to
Cartooning or Drawing I, while students who enjoy painting can continue
on in Painting I.
Prerequisite: None
Note: This course is a prerequisite for Drawing 1 and Painting Studio
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
CARTOONING
Cartoons
and comics are woven throughout our daily lives. You cannot turn on the
television, open a magazine, or walk down the street without seeing
one. This course allows you to step into the amazing world of
cartooning. It focuses on developing a personal style of cartoon drawing
through the study of its history and styles: hero comics, advertising
cartoons, comic strips, political cartoons and animation. Quick visual
thinking techniques and communication skills will also be mastered. For
further study in drawing see course descriptions for 2D Art and Drawing.
Cartooning techniques can also be combined with the skills learned in
the Computer Art course.
Prerequisite: None
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
CERAMICS 1-2
Ceramics
is one of the most ancient industries on the planet. As early as 24,000
BC, animal and human figurines were made from clay and then fired in
kilns. Developing a personal viewpoint as an outgrowth of the ceramic
process is encouraged by emphasizing historical perspectives, design,
basic pottery skills, and exploration as a path to personal discovery.
Hand-building and glazing techniques will be learned in Ceramics 1,
while the wheel and more independent work will be a part of Ceramics 2.
For more three-dimensional classes see the Sculpture, Jewelry, and AP 3D
Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Ceramics 1 must be taken before Ceramics 2
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
COMPUTER ART
The
computer is the number one design tool used in creative careers. Using
the program Adobe Photoshop, students will learn how to create stunning
works of art that leave people wondering how they were made. Computer
Art teaches artists how to: create special effects, draw using the
computer, compose graphic publications used in our school, design web
buttons, and animate original ideas. The digital camera and scanner will
also aid in our creations. This is a great class for anyone interested
in giving their computer skills an artistic twist. Students who enjoy
this course or are seeking a creative career are encouraged to go on to
Digital Photography, Graphics, and or Web Design found in the Applied
Technology Department.
Prerequisite: None
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
DRAWING I
Learning
how to observe details and draw naturally are the major outcomes of
Drawing I. The traditional subjects of landscape, cityscape, still
life, rendering of two dimensional references and portraits are
studied. Media variety includes charcoal, graphite pencils and pen and
ink. The complexity of assignments increases in terms of composition,
concepts and skill development. Drawing I is the advanced course for the
drawing portion of 2D Art.
Prerequisite: 2D Art
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
DRAWING II
This
advanced class is designed to focus on drawing from direct observation,
rendered two dimensional images and memory while reinforcing expressive
color qualities within the art piece. Drawing II focuses on
contemporary art styles in drawing. A personal interpretation of
portraits, figure and still life are goals of this course. Media
variety includes oil pastels, Prisma color pencils and charcoal pastels.
This course focuses on developing a great sense of using color for
expressive qualities while developing personal interpretation of a
subject matter.
Prerequisite: Drawing I
Levels: 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
JEWELRY 1-2
A
wide variety of handmade jewelry-making techniques will be explored.
Designs and motifs will be taken from different cultures and the
immediate world around us. Weaving,clay, copper, wire and wood are some
of the media that may be used to create with in Jewelry
1. Glass fusing, enameling, soldering, and tagua nut carving will be
mastered in Jewelry 2, along with several independent works. These
courses develop a student’s ability to work safely in a jewelry studio.
Students will learn to use hand tools, both electric and non-electric.
For more three-dimensional classes see the Sculpture, Ceramics, and AP
3D Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Jewelry 1 must be taken before Jewelry 2
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
PAINTING
The
rich possibilities of oil paint are found through the study of medium
control and blending techniques. A personal interpretation of
traditional space and color is the goal of Painting I. As individual
styles are developed, subject matter experimentation is encouraged.
Painting I is the advanced course for the painting portion of 2D Art.
Prerequisite: 2D Art
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
SCULPTURE 1-2
Cay,
wire, cardboard, plaster, and wood are just some of the sculptural
media used to create with in Sculpture 1. Sculpture 2 will explore
conceptual art, installation, mosaics, and modeling with clay. Looking
beyond the walls of our studio, students will be inspired by the world
of sculpture that surrounds them in daily life. This course develops a
student’s ability to work safely in a sculpture studio. Students will
learn to use hand tools, both electric and non-electric. All conceived
works are produced with the help of sketches and maquettes. For more
three-dimensional classes see the Ceramics, Jewelry, and AP 3D
Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Sculpture 1 must be taken before Sculpture 2.
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
AP 3D DESIGN- SEQUENTIAL
This
2 semester course is the third tier for Ceramics, Jewelry, and
Sculpture. AP 3D Design will prepare capable art students with a
professional portfolio used for entrance into a college art program. The
course emphasizes independent thematic work in the artist’s choice of
three dimensional medium. Students enrolled in this course submit their
portfolio to the College Board instead of taking an Advanced Placement
Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s statement to be
included with their presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.
Prerequisite: Ceramics 2, Jewelry 2, or Sculpture 2 or teacher approval
Levels: 11, 12 Semesters: 2 Credits: 2
AP STUDIO ART PORTFOLIO- SEQUENTIAL
This
2 semester course is truly the goal for any serious artists. AP Studio
Art Portfolio is designed to prepare capable junior and senior art
students with a professional portfolio used for entrance into a college
art program. The course emphasizes independent thematic work in the
artist’s choice of two dimensional medium. Students enrolled in this
course submit their portfolio to the College Board instead of taking an
Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s
statement to be included with their portfolio presentation in Fenton’s
Annual Art Festival.
Prerequisite: Minimum three (3) semesters in studio art classes
Levels: 11, 12 Semesters: 2 Credits: 2