Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department teaches skills and promotes understanding and exploration of creativity and talents. Students are exposed to a diversity of art forms, building understanding and appreciation for visual human artistic expression. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for further academic studies in the arts, as well as having gained a life-long appreciation for the visual arts.
Visual Art 1 Classes
Visual Art 1 (Studio) - Grades 9-12 - Semester course
This course is designed for beginning art students; no previous art experience is necessary. Coursework emphasizes improvement of drawing ability, application of the elements and principles of art, introduction to composition, and use of various materials and techniques. This course satisfies the prerequisite for all Visual Art 2 courses.
Visual Art 1 (Computer Based Design) - Grades 9-12 - Semester course
This course is designed for beginning art students; no previous art experience is necessary. Coursework emphasizes improvement of drawing ability, introduction to composition, and implementation of the Macintosh computer to create and manipulate images. Specific projects focus on application of the elements and principles of art. Students learn the basic procedures needed to use computers as a creative tool for the artist. This course and Visual Art 1 are very similar, and it is not recommended that students take both courses. This course satisfies the prerequisite for all Visual Art 2 courses.
Visual Art 2 Classes
Placement in Visual Art 2 Classes
Priority enrollment is given to seniors, then juniors and finally to sophomores.
Visual Art 2/The Book as Art - Grades 10-12 - Semester Course
Visual Art 2/The Book as Art is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 with emphasis on creating handmade books as works of art. Students will create books using a variety of methods, and after mastering basic techniques, they will progress to individualized study, allowing for personal expression. Students will be exposed to related studies in order to enhance opportunities for specialization and self-expression, such as paper sculpture, paper marbling, paper making, and creation of paste papers.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Digital Photography - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/Digital Photography is a continuation of Visual Art 1 emphasizing improvement in shooting images and the understanding of the technical and aesthetic elements and principles of photography. No previous photography experience is necessary. Computer-based postproduction techniques will be introduced through the use of Adobe Photoshop. Students will be required to purchase a digital camera. Students should be prepared to spend in the region of $100-$300 for this camera. Camera specifications will be given in class.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Drawing - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/Drawing is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1, with emphasis placed on advanced drawing skills. Students will use a variety of media, which may include graphite, charcoal, colored pencil and ink.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Graphic Design - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/Graphic Design is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 with emphasis on personal and innovative thought in visual problem solving. Using Adobe Illustrator, students will apply the elements and principles of design to create a variety of industry related projects.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Painting - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/Painting is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1, with emphasis placed on advanced painting skills and understanding of color theory. Students will use a variety of media, which may include watercolor, acrylic, and pastel.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/2D-3D Design - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/2D-3D Design is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 or Visual Art 1/Design, with emphasis on a variety of projects, using techniques such as assemblage, papier-mâché, collage, and sculpture.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/20th Century Art - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/20th Century Art is a continuation of Visual Art 1, with emphasis on examination of the trends and movements of the last 100 years. The course examines art, sculpture, photography and architecture. The first half of the course looks at the basic movements of the first fifty years (surrealism, Dadaism, cubism, etc.). The second half of the course examines the emerging styles of the last fifty years (pop, earth art, performance, video, new illusionism, etc.). A specific focus is on the Bay Area art scene.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1 (sophomores must have instructor approval)
Visual Art 2/Western Art - Grades 10-12 - Semester course
Visual Art 2/Western Art is a continuation of Visual Art 1 with emphasis on studying how artistic styles, movements, schools, techniques, and personality influence the development of the humanities. Ranging from prehistory to the present, this course will offer students a solid foundation in the evolution of the humanities, allowing students to make clear connections to the world of art around them today.
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
