Visual & Performing Arts

Art begins with resistance - at the point where resistance is overcome. No human masterpiece has ever been created without great labor.
~Andre Gide

The visual and performing arts faculty offer students the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their fullest potential as artists. We encourage students to enhance their technical, practical, and creative techniques so that they may communicate and express themselves in effective and meaningful ways.

In all of our courses, we provide students with an experience in the arts that reflect:

- - Artistic Perception: Processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information through the language and skills unique to a given art.
  - Creative Expression: Creating, performing, and participating in a given art.
  - Historical and Cultural Context: Understanding historical contributions and cultural dimensions of a given art.
  - Aesthetic Valuing: Responding to, analyzing, and making critical assessments about works of a given art form.
  - Connections, Relationships, and Applications: Connecting and applying what is learned in a given art form to learning in other art forms, subject areas, and careers.

List of 7 items.

Color & Design

Two Semesters: Grades 9-12

The purpose of Color and Design is to create a foundation of skills to enable the students to confidently create successful artwork, and foster curiosity and an enjoyment of the process. This course follows an investigation into the elements of art; line, texture, color, space, shape, value using Ms. Raimondi's ‘Art Order of Operations’ (Proportion, Shape, Light Source & Detail), designed to answer the question, “Where do I begin? These techniques and methods are explored through a series of projects, drawing from the observation of 2 dimensional subjects to begin with, and translating that knowledge to drawings of three dimensional still life, and human subjects.There is a specific points based grading rubric for the skills required to execute each project. This foundation prepares students for success in both our Context and Application (our advanced art course), and AP 2-D Design, and AP Drawing, as well as drawing for pleasure.
Art: Context & Application

Two Semesters: Grades 10, 11, 12

The course Context and Application will inform students of the various social, scientific, political and environmental influences inspiring significant art movements in order to comprehend art as communication. Students will practice the primary function of this course, which is to connect the Art students seek to understand, with the Art they make. Students will observe works from various eras, focusing on; prehistoric works, ancient Middle Eastern, Aztec, and Asian; European pre Middle Ages, Renaissance, Rococo, Pre-Raphaelite, Impressionism, Twentieth Century Modern, Social/Political Realism, and Twenty-First Century Social/Street Art. Students will experience the media and tools of each era while exploring the use of appropriate materials. Students will learn about social and environmental conditions of the time that influenced the works examined. The principles of design and elements of art will be observed as students understand how they are utilized, and how the awareness of skills and use of materials developed through time.
Painting

Two Semesters: Grades 9-12

This course is an investigation into paint as a medium. Problem solving projects and study of various painting genres and techniques are addressed. Projects will vary, but will include painting from life and observation. Both acrylic and watercolor painting is practiced. The second semester continues the study of paint as a medium. Students experience both acrylic and watercolor painting.
Ceramics

Two Semesters: Grades 9-12

This is an introductory course dealing with the elements of art as they apply to three-dimensional constructions in clay. The course covers basic building and joining techniques, firing processes and glazing. Individual development is encouraged. Evaluation is based on written work, tests, and studio work. Students have the opportunity to work on the potter’s wheel.
AP Studio Art

Two Semesters Grades 10-12
PREREQUISITES: Departmental Approval

This is a rigorous college-level portfolio class that emphasizes quality of student work, concentration on a particular visual interest or problem, and breadth of experience in the artist’s formal, technical, and expressive means. Students are taught to understand art as an ongoing process, investigate formal and conceptual issues, develop technical skills, and use critical thinking and decision-making skills. Portfolios are expected to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns and methods.
Drama

Two Semesters: Grades 9-12

As part of the Performing Arts Collaborative, students perform in films written, produced and scored by students in Creative Writing, Advanced Multimedia and Advanced Sound. The class explores each individual's creative powers through a series of exercises and theater games. Students investigate and appreciate various aspects of theater, such as dance, movement, voice characterization, and improvisation. In addition, each student participates in the spring production by directly being involved in an acting role, or by helping with set design, costume construction, or other technical theatrical aspects. As the course progresses, students are trained in speech and vocal development.
Introduction to FIlmmaking

Two Semesters: Grades 9-12

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of Narrative, Documentary, and Autobiographical Film-making. The course focuses on providing the student with a foundation of knowledge in all three stages of production as well as the historical and cultural role moving image plays within society. Students learn the equipment, techniques, technology and theory as it pertains to visual language as a tool for communication, education, entertainment, and civic engagement. The elements, techniques, and styles serve as a foundation for each unit covered. Selected historical or cultural contexts are applied with attention to analysis, interpretation, and relationship to student work.