Art
Our Upper School Art Program gradually builds in complexity and depth. Through the exploration of various materials and media, students investigate formal issues with increasing independence. Using a problem-solving format, challenges are presented and examined; students next develop individual solutions to answer assigned problems creatively. 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 variety of possible responses. We are concerned not only with the making of art but with the development of critical thinking, visual literacy, and art historical awareness. Art courses may be taken individually as minors or taken together in certain combinations to form an art major. Only 10th, 11th, and 12th graders may, with departmental approval, create a grouping of courses that is considered an "Art Major". Each course may be taken only once.
A Note on Making an Art Major
An Art Major is comprised of two minors taken simultaneously, typically an academic minor (Art History) and a studio minor. These two courses make up an Art Major. On occasion, and with departmental permission, a student may take two studio courses to make an Art Major. At course sign up, students in grades 10–12 wishing to create an Art Major should select their two minors and also select 790 Art Major.
Studio Courses
731 Foundation
minor elective | grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
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, 3-Dimensional Art,
Digital Collage, Senior Studio, and yearbook
layout.
783 Color & Design
minor elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation
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 and abstract 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 and digital
media. Skill development will underlay all of our
study. Because space is limited, students electing
this course should specify a 2nd/3rd art course
choice when they sign up. Enrollment limited to
12 students per section.
784 Drawing & Painting
minor elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation
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 throughout the
course. 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 on the first steps the young artist
takes in finding his/her own subjects and style.
Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
781 3-Dimensional Art
minor elective | grades: 10, 11 or 12
prerequisite: Foundation
This studio course is an introduction to 3D.
Emphasis is placed on creatively solving
problems and communicating ideas through the
use of numerous materials in a “learn-by-doing”
conceptual risks is essential to the course. Each
project will begin with drawing to guide students
thinking of formal considerations. Historical and
contemporary art and design will inform thinking
and strategies. As the year progresses, projects
will become more complex and students will be
afforded opportunities for experimentation and
personal expression. Because space is limited,
students electing this course should specify a
2nd /3rd art course choice when they sign up.
Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
786 Digital Collage
minor elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation
This digital lab course introduces the computer as
an artistic tool for drawing, painting and collage.
We will take advantage of aspects that are unique
to digital drawing, such as layering, scaling, the
incorporation of photography, and working with
states of revision. This course is about expanding
the narrative possibilities of image-making
through contemporary processes of edition
and image construction using Photoshop and
Illustrator. Students will be exposed to advanced
methods of editing still and moving images, video
and animation. Because space is limited, students
electing this course should specify a 2nd/3rd art
course choice when they sign up. Enrollment
limited to 12 students per section.
785 Photography
minor elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation
This is an introductory course that explores
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 a
lab fee of $100 for this course. A limited number
of school cameras are 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.
Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.
761 Senior Studio
major elective | grade: 12
prerequisite: Foundation plus one of the following:
Drawing & Painting; Color & Design; Digital Collage;
Photography or 3-Dimensional Art. (Drawing and
Painting and Art History are strongly recommended as
preparation for Senior Studio); departmental
approval required
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 personal expression
through the synthesis of formal considerations.
Early in the year, there will be a block of evening
classes devoted to the study of the figure. Other
areas of study include color theory, abstraction,
observational, conceptual and narrative work.
Guidance and support is provided for 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 $75 for this course. Enrollment limited to 12
students per section, and will be determined by
a portfolio evaluation plus one directed drawing
assignment.
787 Mixed-Media Animation
minor elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Foundation
This course introduces students to a variety
of traditional and contemporary techniques in
animation. Looking at examples of animations
in art and film, as well as nonfiction topics such
as science and history, students will learn handdrawn,
stop-motion and digital methods for
making their own animations. Story building
will be key in developing ideas for production.
Students will also learn to edit the animations and
incorporate sound effects and music. Throughout
the course, students will produce a series of
short animated sequences using a variety of
techniques, themes, and media as they explore
how these choices impact their stories. These
works will build to one or more major projects. An
historical overview and international perspective
are provided through film screenings and group
discussion, and students will review and discuss
current trends in animation. Enrollment limited
to 12 students per section.
Academic Courses
773 Art History: Modern Art
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, printmaking, 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.
773 Art History: Ancient through Baroque
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.