Visual Arts

Visual Arts I :

Visual Arts I introduces art history, art criticism, aesthetic judgment and studio production. Emphasis is placed on the ability to understand and use elements and principles of design through a variety of media, processes, and visual resources. The course explores master artworks for historical and cultural significance.

Visual Arts II :

Visual Arts II enhances level-one skills in art history, art criticism, aesthetic judgment and studio production. The course emphasizes and reinforces knowledge and application of the design elements and their relationships to the principles of design. Different two- and three-dimensional art media and processes will be explored. Students will investigate master artworks to increase awareness and to examine the role of art and the artist in past and contemporary societies.

Visual Arts III:

Visual Arts III enhances level-two skills in art history, art criticism, aesthetic judgment and studio productions. The course provides practice in applying design elements and principles of design. The course also provides focus on different two and three-dimensional art media and processes and master artworks. Idea development through production and creativity and through the study of master artists will be stressed.

Sculpture I & II

This course offers opportunities to learn and apply sculpting techniques in a variety of media such as clay, wire, paper, paper mache, found objects, stone, plaster, and wood.  Students study various sculptors, cultures, and periods of art history in which three-dimensional art work played an important role.  Art history, aesthetics, and art criticism, in addition to art production, are addressed. 

Jewelry and Metalcrafts I, II, & III :

Students will use the elements of art and the principles of design to create jewelry. A variety of techniques will be taught to fashion custom-designed jewelry employing paper, clay, fabric, glass, leather, and metal.  Simple traditional metal smithing will be introduced. Kiln work involving fused glass and precious metal clay will be explored. Other techniques used may include forging, soldering, enameling, sawing and bead making.

Graphics I: 

Introduces graphic design as seen in posters, advertisements, logos, illustrations, signs, and package or product designs. Covers selected graphic design elements, vocabulary, and the media, tools, equipment, techniques, processes, and styles used for graphics. Investigates the historical development of graphic design and its function in contemporary society. Stresses using the computer as a major design tool. Explores career opportunities.

Photography I:

Photography is a course based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).  Art is an important means of self-expression, self-reflection and the creation of personal identity. The Georgia Standards of Excellence build opportunities for students to develop in academic and social ways through the exploration of visual media. Students will explore art through art history, art making and cultural contexts. Throughout the course students will investigate a variety of materials and art media through research, art making, writing and observation.

AP Art 2D Design:

Content of this course conforms to College Board standards for the Advanced Placement Studio Art 2D Design Portfolio Examination. Students are asked to demonstrate a conscious and deliberate application of the principles of design: unity, variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, scale, and rhythm in works of art. Any two-dimensional media may be submitted, including (but not limited to) graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, or printmaking.

AP Art 3D Design:

Content of this course conforms to College Board standards for the Advanced Placement Studio Art 3D Design Portfolio Examination. The 3D portfolio is intended to address a broad interpretation of sculptural issues in depth and space. The issues may include mass, volume, form plane, light, and texture. Such elements may be articulated through addititive, subtractive, and/or fabrication processes.

IB Visual Arts SL & HL:

One of the Sixth Subject options, IB Visual Arts includes the exploration of art history, aesthetics, art criticism, and art production through personal research. Students study artists, world cultures, styles, media, and techniques of their choice. Students maintain one or more Research Workbooks (RWB) in which they make notes about their research and use critical thinking skills to describe, analyze, interpret and make personal judgments about their own artwork and that of others. From this research, students develop personal projects which involve deciding which goals to achieve, whether they wish to work under the influence of another artist or culture, which media to use, and which techniques, equipment, and supplies are needed. Students produce artwork based on those plans which later will be part of their IB Visual Arts exhibit. An examiner from the International Baccalaureate Organization will come to the exhibit, examine the artwork and the RWBs, and then discuss the experience, the RWBs, and the exhibit with each student.