Art Faculty:
Susan Lowry, Department Head
Megan Culp
Gary Miller
Elissa Sunshine
Michael Williamson
The Upper School Art Program is a sequential one in which students are introduced to appropriate skills and
concepts which gradually build in complexity and depth. Through the exploration of various materials and
media, students investigate formal issues with increasing independence. Using a problem-solving format, criteria
is first presented and examined, and then students develop individual solutions to creatively answer assigned
problems. Each assignment culminates in a group critique, where students use appropriate visual arts language
to inform their critical thinking. Students learn to recognize quality and to appreciate the uniqueness and
diversity of effective responses. We are concerned not only with the making of art, but also with the development
of critical thinking, visual literacy, and art historical awareness. Art courses may be chosen individually as
minors, or together in certain configurations, to form a major. Only students in grades 10, 11, and 12 may take
an Art Major. Each course may be taken only once. View our Upper School Art Gallery. Please view our Upper School Art Gallery.
Art Major
- Students may form an Art Major by combining a
studio course (Drawing and Painting; Color, Design,
& Graphics; 3-Dimensional Art; Photography) with an
Art History course.
- Seniors who have completed the prerequisite
courses and who have obtained departmental permission
may take an Art Major by electing Senior Studio.
- All Art Majors need approval from the Art Department
Head.
Courses
731 Foundation- Megan Culp
minor elective
Grades: 9, 10, &11
This course is designed to introduce and investigate
visual concepts. These concepts of 2D and 3D composition
include line, plane, negative/positive space,
perspective, color, value, and figure/ground. Each
unit of study is tailored to build technical skill and
theoretical understanding as well as to develop critical
thinking and problem solving skills regardless of prior
experience. Through critiques students learn to use a
visual vocabulary to analyze formal issues. Successful
completion of this course is a prerequisite for Photography,
Drawing and Painting, Color Design & Graphics,
3-Dimensional Art, Senior Studio and yearbook
layout.
774 Art History:
Ancient through Baroque
not offered in 2011-12
minor elective
Grades: 10, 11, 12
The major goal of this course is to give students a
grounding in looking at art and making sense of what
they see. As they learn the skills of observation, analysis
and interpretation, students examine the stylistic,
iconographic and technical development of architecture,
painting, sculpture and craft art. Selected major
periods in the development of western art are studied
within a rich and concise cultural and historical context.
Topics in the art of Africa, Asia, the Americas,
and the Pacific Islands are explored to illuminate an
understanding of world art.
773 Art History: Modern Art- Michael Williamson
minor elective
Grades: 10, 11, 12
We will spend the first portion of the year analyzing elements
of visual expression in a historical mode. General
theories from art philosophy dealing with perception,
meaning and beauty will frame elements such as
line quality, composition, color, plane, narrative and
scale in relation to painting, architecture, sculpture,
photography, print making, film and performance
art. We will study artists and movements of the 19th,
20th, and 21st centuries. There will be required readings,
written assignments, and museum visits.
783 Color, Design and Graphics - Susan Lowry, Department Head
minor elective
prerequisite: foundation
enrollment: limited to 12 students per section
Grades: 10, 11, 12
In this course students concentrate on how color and
design can be used to describe and communicate ideas
through visual means. We investigate color as it can
be used emotionally and psychologically for practical
and poetic ends. Students will study layout and design,
using elements of realistic, abstract and typographical
form. Assignments emphasize creative problem solving
and varying conceptual exercises, the solutions to
which may be used for school publications. Multiple
techniques and media will be used including collage,
drawing, painting (gouache and acrylics), and digital
media (Photoshop). Skill development will underlay
all of our study. There is a $25.00 fee for color printing
costs for this course. Because space is limited,
students electing this course should specify a 2nd/3rd
art course choice when they sign up.
784 Drawing and Painting- Michael Williamson
minor elective
prerequisite: foundation
enrollment: limited to 12 students per section
Grades: 10, 11, 12
As in the title, the year will begin with drawing. We
will define drawing in many ways; from the observed
and structural to the expressive and conceptual. A variety
of media will be introduced. Painting will follow
as a natural outgrowth, with a focus on color, value
and materials. There will be continual emphasis on
the traditional subjects of the artist (figure, landscape,
still life) as well as the first steps the young artist takes
in finding his/her own subjects and style. Because
space is limited, students electing this course should
specify a 2nd/3rd art course choice when they sign up.
785 Photography
- Gary Miller
minor elective
prerequisite: foundation
enrollment: limited to 12 students per section
Grades: 11, 12
An introductory course which will explore the technical
and aesthetic possibilities of the photograph.
Students will first master the skills of black and white
darkroom photography. An introduction to digital
images and alternative photographic processes will
follow. Throughout the course attention will be paid
to the content and composition of photographs, as
students solve problems in portraiture, documentary,
studio photography, and social commentary. There
is an $85.00 lab fee for this course. There is a limited
number of school cameras available for students on
an as needed basis. Because space is limited, students
electing this course should specify a 2nd /3rd art
course choice when they sign up.
781 3-Dimensional Art - Gary Miller
minor elective
prerequisite: foundation
enrollment: limited to 12 students per section
Grades: 10, 11, 12
This studio course explores the numerous materials,
technical processes and traditional and contemporary
concepts that inform and define sculpture, architecture
and commercial/utilitarian design. Students use
additive and subtractive approaches in making sculpture
to create work based on geometric and organic
forms. A section in architecture challenges the notion
that bigger is better. While focusing on environmental
and sustainability issues, students design, draft
and create scale models of small shelters which are a
response to the needs of an individual client, community
organization or civil or natural disaster relief
effort. The third component of this survey gives students
an opportunity to design and produce an object
that enhances, performs or assists an everyday household
function or larger societal need. Because space is
limited, students electing this course should specify a
2nd /3rd art course choice when they sign up.
761 Senior Studio-Susan Lowry
major elective
prerequisites: Foundation plus 1 of the following: Drawing
& Painting; Color, Design, & Graphics; Photography or 3D
AND approval from the Art Department Head.
Drawing
and Painting is strongly recommended as preparation for
Senior Studio.
enrollment:
Limited to 12 students per section, and will
be determined by a portfolio evaluation plus one directed
drawing assignment.
Grade:12
This advanced studio course stresses the development
of fine technical and aesthetic skills, and the development
of original, personal vision. Both classical and
contemporary approaches to visual arts will receive
thorough attention with particular emphasis on individual
expression through synthesis of observational
and technical skills, and understanding of pictorial
organization. Early in the year, there will be a block
of evening classes devoted to the study of the figure.
Other areas of study will include color theory, abstraction,
observational, conceptual, and narrative work.
Guidance and support is provided on the preparation
of a strong portfolio for college admissions. Regular
homework and some reading and critical writing are
required. There is a studio fee of $50 for this course.
Upper School Art Gallery