ART 1 — 1/2 Unit of credit            Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           None

This semester course is the Art Department’s basic course and prerequisite for most other art courses. It explores the individual elements of design while introducing the student to a variety of media and techniques through examples, demonstrations, and experimentation.  Projects include drawing and shading, tempera painting, mixed media, one point perspective, human proportions and portraits, scratchboard, and functional or sculptural clay.  This is a survey course which helps the student identify his/her particular areas of interest or talent.

ART 2 — 1/2 Unit of credit   Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           Art 1                                               

This semester course is an advanced level of Art 1 which includes many of the same areas of concentration such as drawing, painting, sculpture, but with a variety of new materials and skill goals.  Projects might include spray or watercolor painting, neriage clay, two-point perspective, printmaking, pastel, or vellum drawing.  

ART STUDIO — 1/2 Unit of credit    Seniors
Prerequisite:           Art 1, Drawing/Printmaking, and Painting
Advanced Drawing or Advanced Painting with B- or better

Portfolio preparation is offered for those students planning to pursue an art major or minor in college. The goal of this course is the presentation of 15 to 20 finished polished pieces of work for acceptance into art school or college art department.  Students will initiate new projects as well as rework and refine projects from former art classes.  Additional assignments from a prescribed list are used to fill the gaps in an individual student's portfolio.  This course is offered in semester increments and often more than one semester is needed to complete the prescribed list.

DRAWING/PRINTMAKING — 1/2 Unit of credit   Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           Art 1 with a B- or better                 

This semester course emphasizes skill development and techniques in drawing figures, landscapes and still lifes.  The curriculum is organized into techniques of contour, perspective, proportion, shading and printmaking. Materials explored include ink, pencil, pastel, charcoal, printmaking plates and inks.  Special attention is given to visual observation as well as individual interpretation.

HISTORY OF ART — 1/2 Unit of credit   Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           None

This semester course helps the student understand the meaning of traditional and contemporary art.  Exploring some of history’s greatest artistic achievements from prehistoric times to the 20th century provides an overview of art movements and an explanation of the styles and struggles of individual artists.  The objectives of the course are to: gain an understanding and appreciation of the meaning of traditional and contemporary art; realize why artists create; develop an openness and awareness of artistic movements and differences; effectively communicate likes and dislikes in art and logically support opinions; and open eyes, ears and senses to new experiences and readjust sights.  The teaching/learning style includes a combination of lecture, discussion, debate, movies and art experiences. 

PAINTING — 1/2 Unit   Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           Art 1 and Drawing/Printmaking with a B- or better      

This semester course explores the technique of painting in oils on canvas. Composition is explored through a variety of drawing and painting exercises as well as the study of the renaissance and contemporary painting masters. Color theory and techniques in painting are major components in each project. Students learn to analyze art and express themselves using appropriate visual art vocabulary. A final project is given that is collaborative in nature.  

ADVANCED PAINTING — 1/2 Unit of credit   Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:           Art 1 and Drawing and Painting with a B- or better

Students continue to master painting techniques in oils while also experiencing additional painting media.  Personal expression of ideas will be emphasized.  This course may be repeated with advanced problems given to continue to challenge the student who is serious in painting.

In this semester course, advanced drawing students continue to develop skill in drawing figures, landscapes and still lifes.  Personal expression/ideas/statements will be emphasized.

In this semester course, functional and sculptural forms are constructed from clay using techniques of handbuilding, wheel-throwing, free form and relief.  Three-dimensional and base-relief approaches to sculpture cover experimentation in mixed media.  The objectives of the course are to: gain an understanding and working knowledge of the basic properties of clay and glazes and sculptural techniques in mixed media, be introduced to ceramic/sculpture artists and be able to evaluate works.  The teaching/learning style includes a combination of demonstrations, studio time, discussion/critique with occasional slide shows/videos and related art experiences.

CERAMICS  2 – 1/2 Unit of credit   Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Prerequisite:    Ceramics 1

Students will build upon concepts and techniques learned in the previous course.  There is an emphasis on wheel throwing, with an introduction to sculpting.  Skill and technique on the potter’s wheel is stressed in the creation of a variety of functional forms.  Students begin to form their own personal style.

CERAMICS 3 – 1/2 Unit of credit                                                                                                                                 Sophomores,  Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisite:    Ceramics 2
                                                               
        Students create increasingly more complex forms.  Emphasis is increasingly on personal style, while continuing to improve technically.  Students choose from hand building, wheel throwing, and or/sculpting.

CERAMICS 4  – 1/2 Unit of credit                                                                                                                                           Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors     
Prerequisite:    Ceramics 3

        Students at this level create complex forms with elaborate textures or surface embellishments.  Students continue to strengthen skills, yet
        Really develop their personal style as a ceramic artist.     

SCULPTURE – 1/2 Unit of credit                                                                                                                    Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Seniors
Prerequisites:     Art 1

In this semester course, sculpture will explore traditional and modern materials used in additive and subtractive sculpture.  Course materials will include, but will not be limited to: wire with plaster, stone, clay and, metal.  Techniques and concepts will include but will not be limited to: additive and subtractive sculpting, assemblage, plaster mold making and metal casting.  Based on historic and contemporary artwork, students will learn processes and skills needed to make objective and non-objective sculptures.