Arts - Visual

Drawing and Painting 1: This course will form an introduction to drawing and painting and present a thorough guide for the beginner through the use of line, texture, value, color, shape, and space. Media in drawing includes use of pencil, pen and ink, pastels and charcoal. Painting focuses on composition in oil pastels, watercolor, acrylic and tempera. Students will interpret through observation, various landscapes and still life subjects. Aesthetics in art history will be introduced including critiques of professional and student work. **Pathway: Arts & Communication

GRADE:

9-12 (FHS)

10-12 (NFHS)

Ceramics 2: This course is an intermediate class that is a continuation that includes complex hand building projects, sculpture, surface design, and glaze exploration. Students will solve design problems creatively based on their individual project interpretation. Wheel throwing may also be an option for highly skilled and motivated students.

Ceramics 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Ceramics 3 will include a deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. The methods of learning are based on problem solving, skill development and extensive practice of pottery production. Students will explore personal ideas in clay. Consideration of design and construction problems and alternate glaze surfaces may be explored. Students may work on the wheel with an emphasis on skill and craftsmanship. Students build a growing sophistication in the execution of ceramic knowledge and the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study.

Ceramics 4: This course is an advanced study in the area of ceramics. Students build on their knowledge and skills to develop a more personal body of work toward a portfolio. Student will demonstrate more commitment and personal investment in the ceramic medium.  

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Drawing and Painting 2: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Drawing/Painting 2 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the execution of drawing and painting, knowledge of the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Drawing/Painting 1.

Drawing and Painting 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Drawing/Painting 3 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the execution of drawing and painting, knowledge of the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Drawing/Painting 2.

Drawing and Painting 4: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Drawing/Painting 4 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the execution of drawing and painting, knowledge of the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Drawing/Painting 3. 

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Graphics 2: This course is the illustration of language and image for two-dimensional and three-dimensional design products for advertising, product design and fine art projects. Students will be required to solve numerous two-dimensional design problems using the software Photoshop and Illustrator. Also, cameras and scanners will be used for information impute of a variety of mediums and materials. Examples and aesthetic discussion will be interspersed with production and evaluation. The Graphic Design courses are taught in the computer lab. Graphics 2 is a 1/2 credit, one-semester class and is the intermediate class for continuing courses in graphics.

Graphics 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Graphics 3 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term in graphics builds a growing sophistication in the execution of graphic design, knowledge of the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study. Graphics 3 will continue with Photoshop and Illustrator.  The Graphic Design courses are taught in the computer lab and Graphics 3 is a 1/2 credit, one-semester class and is an advanced class for continuing courses in graphics.

Graphics 4: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry, Graphics 4 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term in graphics builds a growing sophistication in the execution of graphic design, knowledge of the history of art as a means for individual expression applied to the individual student's course of study. Students will continue with Photoshop and Illustrator with additional graphic design software applications. The Graphic Design courses are taught in the computer lab and Graphics 4 is a 1/2 credit, one-semester class and is an advanced class for continuing courses in graphics. 

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Jewelry 2: This is a continuation of the Jewelry 1 process. Students will combine the basic skills learned in Jewelry 1 for the creation and production of new projects. Students in Jewelry 2 will also learn advanced forming techniques used in the manipulation and finishing of various metals. Students will solve advanced design problems creatively leading to a critique and aesthetic discussion, which will be interspersed with production and evaluation.

Jewelry 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Jewelry 3 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Students build a growing sophistication in the execution of jewelry and metal production and knowledge in contemporary trends as a means for individual expression applied to the individual course of study.

Jewelry 4: This course is an advanced study in the area of jewelry and metals. Students will build on their knowledge and skills to develop a more personal body of work toward a portfolio which demonstrates a more personal style in jewelry production.

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Digital Photography 2: This course teaches communication through a two-dimensional visual image. Students will be required to solve numerous visual communication problems using a digital camera, digital software lighting equipment, and printers. Students will learn about visual communication over a series of images, the lighting studio, and alternative photographic techniques. Students will be required to keep a photographic journal. Examples and aesthetic discussion will be interspersed with production and evaluation. 

Digital Photography 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Photography 3 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the execution of digital photography and knowledge in contemporary trends as a means for individual expression applied to the individual course of study. Photography 3 focuses on conceptual fine art issues relating to the field of photography including a portfolio of eight images about a singular theme.

Digital Photography 4: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Photography 4 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the execution of digital photography and knowledge in contemporary trends as a means for individual expression applied to the individual course of study. Photography 4 focuses on professional studio techniques including but not limited to, magazine advertisement, senior portrait, and modeling for both people and objects. 

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Studio 2: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Studio 2 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the pursuit of all aspects of being a professional artist. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Studio 1.

Studio 3: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Studio 3 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the pursuit of all aspects of being a professional artist. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Studio 2.

Studio 4: Anticipating that students will continue in this mode of inquiry. Studio 4 will include deeper and more extensive exploration in this discipline. Each term builds a growing sophistication in the pursuit of all aspects of being a professional artist. Student growth will be fostered by differentiation of media, subject and theme to build upon what the student learned in Studio 3. 

**Pathway: Arts & Communication

Develop skills in a two-dimensional medium such as graphic design, photography, collage, printmaking, and other principles of 2-D design.  Create artwork that reflects ideas and skills of what has been learned. EXTENSIVE WORK OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM IS REQUIRED. The student should also be prepared to complete assigned course work over the summer preceding the course.

Skills Learned:

• Investigating the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use

• Interpreting works of art and design

• Practicing, experimenting, and revising as you create your own work

• Communicating your ideas about works of art and design

This class is a two-year college-level course (four semesters), started in 11th grade. This course can be taken as part of the IB Diploma Programme OR as an individual course separate from the Diploma Programme. 

The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.

The visual arts syllabus demonstrates a clear distinction between the course at SL and at HL, with additional assessment requirements at HL that allow for breadth and greater depth in the teaching and learning. The assessment tasks require HL students to reflect on how their own work has been influenced by exposure to other artists and for them to experiment in greater depth with additional art-making media, techniques and forms. HL students are encouraged to produce a larger body of resolved works and to demonstrate a deeper consideration of how their resolved works communicate with a potential viewer.

For final assessment, all students will create a digital portfolio of their strongest studio work and journal pages, discussing their ideas and reflecting on their process.  Senior year, students participate in an IBDP Art Exhibition, an incredibly rewarding culmination of the work they've completed over the past two years.  

IB Visual Arts Curriculum

COURSE NOTE: Intro to Art; Drawing & Painting are strongly recommended but not required. This class is a two-year college-level course (four semesters), started in 11th grade. Each semester builds upon the previous semester in content and skills. This course can be taken as part of the IB Diploma Programme OR as an individual course separate from the Diploma Programme. 

Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. The most important aims of assessment in the Diploma Programme are that it should support curricular goals and encourage appropriate student learning. Both external and internal assessments are used in the Diploma Programme. IB examiners mark work produced for external assessment, while work produced for internal assessment is marked by teachers and externally moderated by the IB.  An optional final exam is available for college credit in the spring of senior year.