The Art Department courses in District 230 are fundamentally aligned with the National Coalition for Core Art Standards. Elements and principles of art and design provide the foundation for all courses. Elements of art include concepts such as shape, form, and texture while principles of art speak to ideas such as balance, movement, and pattern. In all courses, students are tasked with making real choices about the shape their learning takes through traditional media courses such as painting, drawing, and ceramics in addition to other manifestations like digital media, and photography. By tapping into their individual interests, students are guided to cultivate their personal voice. Our goal is for students to become strong visual communicators and find their passion for making art. Finally, our art departments believe that following one’s artistic passions and job opportunities are not at odds with one another. Pursuing one’s creativity can lead to rewarding and enriching careers.
CHSD 230 Graduation Requirements: 1 credit in any of the following areas: Applied Technology, World Languages, Music, Art, Business, or Family Consumer Sciences. Check individual course descriptions for credit value. Students may elect to repeat specific advanced courses in art with prior approval from their art instructor. The following courses may be repeated ONE time: Advertising Art, Advanced Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Advanced Ceramics, Advanced Computer Art, Advanced Drawing, Jewelry, and Painting.
Advanced Black & White Photography
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Black and White Photography.
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will continue to develop photographic skills using a hands-on process that combines advanced fine art photography with commercial photography techniques. Students will be assigned regular photographic projects that will require taking pictures outside the regular school day. As a photography student, you are allowed to provide your own 35mm SLR camera to enable you to complete the regular weekend photo shooting exercises that may be assigned. Students that are not able to provide a camera will be able to use the classroom loaners when they are available.
Advanced Ceramics
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Ceramics
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will build on skills learned in Ceramics I, with continued exposure in the areas of hand built pottery, wheel formed pottery, and the process of preparing clay to form artistic pieces as well as the drying and glazing of those pieces. Principles of three-dimensional design will be emphasized throughout the course. May be repeated once with permission of the instructor.
Advanced Digital Media
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Digital Media
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will build on skills learned in Digital Media, with continued exposure in the areas of digital imaging and design. This course is offered to the serious student who is looking for opportunities to design advanced fine art and real life application for the school and/or community. Principles of two-dimensional design will be emphasized throughout the course. May be repeated once with permission of the instructor.
Advanced Drawing
Prerequisite: Drawing with a grade of “C” or better
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will continue to evaluate life drawings and refine skills acquired in Drawing I. The students will also experiment with various modes of drawing, begin to develop a personal style of image-making, and critically evaluate their work. This course is offered to the serious student who is ready to begin putting together a portfolio. It may be repeated once with the permission of the instructor.
Advertising Art
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn to solve design problems that are relevant to advertising and marketing industries. The course will include projects that practice color theory and use the elementary principles of design. Students will experiment with methods of combining images and text. Assignments are product orientated with an emphasis on learning how to demonstrate and satisfy consumer preferences for logo design, package design, and product design. This course is a good choice for the student who is interested in graphic image creation and the design industries. It may be repeated once with the permission of the instructor.
Art & Design
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn the language of the arts through the study and creation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs and their relationship to the history of art and cultures.
Art Appreciation
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Introductory survey and analysis of the visual arts – painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, printmaking, and crafts – to acquaint non-art majors with basic aesthetic concepts: media, technique and function; elements and form; genres; stylistic characteristic and expressive qualities; and socio-cultural influences.
Black & White Photography
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
As a student in Beginning Black and White Photography, you will learn how to operate the 35mm SLR camera, develop black and white film and make beautiful enlargements using our darkroom facilities. You will also learn an abundance of technical skills with a hands-on approach that is coupled with instructional methods tailored to your individual learning style and creativity. Students will be assigned regular photographic projects that will require taking pictures outside the regular school day. As a photography student, you are allowed to provide your own 35mm SLR camera to enable you to complete the regular weekend photo shooting exercises that may be assigned. Students that are not able to provide a camera will be able to use classroom loaners when they are available.
Ceramics
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will participate in creating hand-built pottery, wheel-formed pottery, and the process of preparing the clay to form artistic pieces as well as the drying and glazing of those pieces. Principles of three-dimensional design will be emphasized throughout the course.
Color Photography
Prerequisite: Black & White Photo
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to produce color photographs while developing an aesthetic and technical awareness of color photography and its application in modern civilization. This course may be repeated once with the permission of the instructor.
Digital Media
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn to use computers and other digital approaches as tools for creating art. This class uses a variety of professional computer imaging software and hardware such as scanners and digital cameras to create and manipulate images on the computer.
Drawing
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn techniques to transfer a thought, reproduction, or real-life setting onto a two-dimensional surface by the use of different types of drawing instruments. Students will build skills through observational drawing techniques. The language of the arts will be stressed through this course.
Illustration
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will continue their study of drawing, with emphasis on decorative, informative and commentary.
Jewelry
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will be introduced to the basics of jewelry with an emphasis on the elements of three-dimensional design. This course provides the basic knowledge necessary to design and create your own jewelry. It may be repeated once with the permission of the instructor.
Painting
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn traditional techniques and explore a variety of creative and experimental approaches, including oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Drawing, composition, color, design, and surface effects will be emphasized as tools for emphasizing personal expression. It may be repeated once with the permission of the instructor.
Sculpture
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will come into contact with a variety of concepts, techniques, and materials using the elements and principles of art as a framework. Students will fashion ideas into finished three-dimensional works of art. Representations, abstract, primitive, futuristic, and ritualistic models of expression are investigated. Casting, relief carving, assemblage, and sculpture in the round are among the many processes presented.
Studio Art (AP)
Prerequisite: Pass a minimum of three art courses with a “C” or higher or with instructor approval. This course may be repeated once with instructor approval.
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This year-long course is for the serious art student wanting to develop the skills that artists and designers use and to create a portfolio of work that is assessed to produce their AP score. The course consists of three separate focuses and AP Portfolio Exams—2-D, 3-D Art or Drawing—corresponding to college and university foundations courses. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas, applying skills of practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection.