The Art Department creates a positive environment to educate students in the world of art. Students can choose to enrich their studies with art opportunities, as well as pursue art related professions. These courses prepare and educate students to understand and apply media, techniques and processes to their art work. Teachers guide students to choose and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas. Students explore the visual arts in relation to history and cultures. These courses allow both student and teacher to reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others. Art courses make connections between visual arts and other disciplines. As an elective, the emphasis will be interest and commitment.

Art courses for Students with a Major Interest in the Visual Arts:
Advanced Studio Study, Art History, Art Options, Graphic Design 2,3, Photography 2, 3, Portfolio Development Honors, Sculpture/3-D Design 2, 3,  Studio Art Advanced Placement, and Studio Art 2
Note: All courses are open to any student who meets the prerequisites.

 - this course is offered in the WC Cyber Program

Advanced Placement Art History (10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

This college level humanities course takes students around the globe in their study of art. Covering the Paleolithic era through contemporary times, students will analyze art, architecture, and artifact in reference to its place in global civilization. This course can expand on a student’s acquired knowledge of history, geography, politics, literature and visual art. Each work is examined in reference to its historical context and the story it tells. Students will experience the artworks through museum trips and virtual reality, conduct in group work and participate in class discussions. Class discussions may include politics, economics, gender, culture, or race as it relates to the history of art. This course prepares students to take the College Board AP Art History exam.

Advanced Placement Art and Design (11, 12) 1 credit

This course is for advanced art students who are college bound and wish to receive AP credit and one graduation credit. Advanced Placement credit is not based on the usual written exam. The course work is quite rigorous. Students must submit portfolios that include 24 pieces of work for evaluation at the end of the year. Because of the amount of work, it is often necessary to complete projects at home. Should the portfolio be accepted, the student is awarded one AP studio art credit.
Prerequisite: Advanced Art & Design Honors, completion of a third-level art course, or teacher recommendation.

Advanced Art and Design Honors (11, 12) 1 credit

This third-level advanced course intensifies and expands previous media experiences and offers additional problem-solving challenges. Students are expected to synthesize what was taught in their chosen concentration of medium of studio materials, digital media, or three dimensional materials. Students are encouraged to explore individual style and are expected to create a large body of work that shows a clear personal vision. Work is done in and outside of class. A strong emphasis is placed on art history and contemporary art practices. The critical process is an integral part of this course.
Prerequisite: Level 2 art course or teacher recommendation.

Art Options (10, 11, 12)* variable credit

Neutrally Weighted
Designed for students who want to take a specific art class for partial credit due to scheduling conflicts, students must choose which art class to enroll in, and receive the permission of BOTH the art teacher and their guidance counselor. This is NOT an independent study arrangement. Credit is determined on the number of days per week the student is enrolled in class.
*Since this course is based on availability and room within a student’s schedule, this course may be selected only after the school year begins.

Comic & Animation 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

Neutrally Weighted
Comic and Animation 1 is a design oriented course focused on comic facial and figure design, story construction, animation, visual narratives, lettering, imagery related to the written word, and two dimensional design. Students experiment with a variety of traditional media and computer graphics through the Adobe Creative Suite. Additional activities include class critique as well as information about art history and vocabulary.

Digital Design 2 (10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

Neutrally Weighted
This second level course builds on skills and concepts studied in first level comic & animation and graphic design courses. The course is designed to educate students on the ever-changing digital world, as well as to provide hands-on experience with industry standard software and equipment. Topics covered in Digital Design class may include graphic design, animation, and web design through Adobe Creative Suite programs.
Prerequisite: Completion of Completion of Comic & Animation 1 or Graphic Design 1 or teacher recommendation.

Graphic Design 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

Neutrally Weighted
This beginning course is for students interested in learning the fundamentals of graphic design. Students use drawing skills as well as computer graphic software such as Adobe Illustrator within the Adobe Creative Suite. The course addresses layout, color, lettering, illustration and advertising.

Photography 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit 

Neutrally Weighted
An introduction to black and white photography, students will learn the basics of the single lens reflex camera operation, how to develop and print black and white film, darkroom work, and matting and presenting a finished photograph. Digital photography is introduced, along with print manipulation software such as Adobe Photoshop. This course increases understanding of photography as an art form and allows the student to produce a portfolio of work by the end of the course.

Photography 2 (10, 11, 12) 1 credit 
Photography 3 (11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
Photography 2 and 3 emphasize fine art black and white photography, as well as digital photography. Students are introduced to classic photographers, as well as the new direction of photography in the digital age. Students are encouraged to explore all aspects of the photographic medium and develop a personal style in their work. Building a strong portfolio will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: Photography 1/Photography 2 or teacher recommendation.

Sculpture/3-D Design 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
Students are challenged to think three-dimensionally. Areas of sculptural techniques may include additive and subtractive, as well as sculptural types like relief, in the round and kinetic. Possible materials for exploration may be clay, paper, plaster, wire, wood, metals, glass, ceramic, and found objects. Individual, small group and large group projects may be employed in this course. Sculpture movements of the past, as well as contemporary art, are reviewed.

Sculpture/3-D Design 2 (10, 11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
Students are challenged to build upon the concepts and skills developed in Sculpture 1. More emphasis is placed on independent study with a focus on sculptural movements and their relevance to student work. Experimentation of media and ideas are encouraged. Critique and art historical reference are part of the learning process.
Prerequisite: Sculpture/3-D Design 1 or teacher recommendation.

Sculpture/3-D Design 3 (11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
Students have the opportunity to develop concentrations in areas of personal interest. The freedom to formulate ideas within their concentration is encouraged. Media is determined by the concepts. Independent exploration and growth are stressed. Critique and art historical reference are part of the learning process.
Prerequisite: Sculpture/3-D Design 2 or teacher recommendation.

Studio Art 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
Focusing on 2-dimensional design, students work with a variety of media such as pencils, charcoals, pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. The course addresses shading, depth, color theory, layout, and painting, and integrates appreciation, criticism, and art history into its content.

Studio Art 2 (10, 11, 12) 1 credit

Neutrally Weighted
At this level, students are expected to build on skills, experiences and philosophies learned in Studio 1. Critical and creative thinking are incorporated as a more in-depth problem solving approach through the use of a variety of media. College portfolio preparation, class critiques and art history are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Completion of Studio Art 1 or teacher recommendation.