Course Offerings
Senior Studio Art
This elective is for a student who wants to learn and do art work with an eye to contemporary forms: cartooning, photography, computer-designed art work as well as the more traditional forms of art: drawing, painting, and simple 3-D architectural production are among some of the curriculum. Art history and criticism is present when needed, but art production forms the core of the grade and the mid-term and final are the showing of art works produced with the artist’s statement attached. There is no prerequisite.
AP Art History
This is a history course focusing on the styles and kinds of art cultures produce. As of 2005 this course became based on the context of the major cultures as humans have evolved from the caves right up to our present times in Western and Non-Western cultures. Students learn to observe, and think and write on the college level. The course is best for a student with good reading comprehension and who enjoys learning about architecture, painting and sculpture. Students are welcome to audit a day before committing to the course and talking with Mrs. Perry about the content and expectations of this challenging course. This course fulfills the social studies requirement for senior year.
AP Studio Art I
This art productions course is designed for juniors who want or need a portfolio for career goals or for college entrance credentials. Most students come to the class from the Sophomore Material and Methods course, but students wanting to be admitted should bring a drawing of a period, a place and an object to Mr. Cunniff to be sure signing up for this course is a good placement. Students will begin to define their concentrations (a body of work around one visual idea) and begin amassing the breadth (large scope of work) for their portfolios. Tests and exams are comprised of Evaluations and Artist Statements that accompany the portfolio pieces.
AP Studio Art II
This art course is designed for the continuation of the AP portfolio begun in the junior year. These highly motivated students are completing 12 concentration pieces and 12 breadth section pieces of the AP portfolio. Students will show work and be able to articulate their visual ideas. Tests and exams are focused on their production and level of sophistication and creativity.
Visual Arts
This fast paced semester course is for seniors missing the ½ credit visual arts requirement for graduation. This course enables the student to experience the ever changing art scene of the 20th century. Traditionally, seniors have found this production and historic course a dynamic change form other aspects of the Prep curriculum. Students enjoy an exposure to cubism of Picasso to the Pop creations of Andy Warhol.
Glass Art Studio
Glass Art Studio is a year long course focusing on creating stained, fused and cast glass art using both traditional and modern techniques. To begin this course it is expected that all students can build from their knowledge of the elements of Art which were learned during freshman year e.g.: VALUE, TEXTURE, COLOR, LINE, SHAPE, AND SPACE. These key concepts will integrate into our work in the studio where the students will learn to take their creative ideas and construct their own glass art.
Prerequisite: Freshman Art with approval of the Art Department.
Digital Photography
This is a year long comprehensive course focusing on creative photography using a digital camera and computer manipulation of images. The course will include the principles and history of photography, some chemical darkroom experience, and result in an in an extensive portfolio of color, black and white, and digitally manipulated images. Class format will consist of lecture, demonstrations, and discussion in preparation for assignments. Class time will also be used as studio time (to complete assignments arranged or assigned by the teacher), or lab time working on the computer to manipulate and print images. Some experience with digital photography is desired and access to at least a 3-megapixel camera is highly recommended. Open to Juniors and seniors only.
Prerequisite: Freshman Art
Methods and Materials
This teacher-selected course has gifted and talented students in sophomore year exploring the foundations of drawing, painting, and design. Projects explore portraiture, landscape and still-life as students commence portfolio caliber pieces. This course replaces the music course and fulfills the fine arts requirement for graduation. Teachers assess the caliber of freshman art work and the creative potential of each student to arrive at the list of selected students.
Freshman Art
This half-year course covers the elements of art, the principles of design, and six important 20th Century styles of art. Students learn art history and basics in a lecture/visuals format and then work on art production pieces directly related to what they are learning. Written tests in describing, analyzing, interpreting, and judging art work help all students, art gifted or not-so gifted, build a foundation in visual and cultural literacy.