VISUAL ARTS

The Visual Arts Department encourages all students to work to their full potential within the Art Program offered at Portsmouth High School. For the success of our students, we offer foundation art, advanced art, drawing, painting, ceramics, printing and graphics, art history, and computer animation. To gain proficiency and mastery of these disciplines it is strongly suggested that the student plan abroad based course of Visual Arts study beyond the .5 graduation requirement.

Visual Arts courses are aligned with Portsmouth High School’s School Mission and Expectations for Student Learning. All courses require the student to:
    -Access and gather information through the use of technology.
    -Analyze information through self assessment, oral participation and cooperative group learning.
    -Critique work both orally and through writing.
    -Demonstrate evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation through creative process.
    -Demonstrate proper techniques, strategies and utilize technology for effective problem solving.
    -Use Visual Arts terminology and vocabulary.
    -Create artwork that expresses meaning, ideas, views and intentions.

ART 1E: FOUNDATION STUDIES Course 821 .5 credit

The foundation art class is based upon the Elements and Principles of Design and introduces students to a wide variety of media. Many lessons will coincide with the first semester of the Art 1 full year course, however, this class has been condensed to provide students with only the fundamental lessons necessary to continue studies within the fine arts. Assignments will cover basic drawing, painting and three dimensional design.

ART 1: FOUNDATION STUDIES Course 851 1 credit

This foundation course provides an in depth introduction in drawing skills, color theory, three dimensional design and basic painting techniques in watercolor, tempera and acrylic paint. Art history and the Elements and Principles of Design are incorporated throughout the course. Students will also study the art work of different cultures from around the world and work on a thematic unit during the spring semester. This class provides essential information and skill building opportunities necessary to continue within the art program. Students intending to take advanced level courses within the art department and those students wishing to pursue careers in the Fine Arts are strongly encouraged to take this course.

ART 2E Course 852 .5 credit

This course is a continuation of Art 1, with a concentration on design. Painting, drawing, and commercial areas of art are explored including what makes a good design and practical experience creating original works. A continuation of Art History is integrated into the lessons.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Art 1E or Art 1.

DRAWING Course 863 .5 credit

The Drawing course offers students an opportunity for a concentrated development of drawing skills. Approximately one half of the course is devoted to familiarization and practice of basic drawing skills including, contour drawing, gesture drawing, sighting, basic perspective, and value study. The other half of the course provides the student with the opportunity to apply these skills in the creation of more sophisticated and individualized compositions. Media include pencil, charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, ink wash, Prismacolors, scratchboard, etc.

Prerequisite: Enrollment open to students in grades 10, 11, and12.

PAINTING Course 862 .5 credit

The painting student is encouraged to uncover, explore and develop his/her own creativity and artistic potential through working with a variety of painting styles and media. Principles of strong composition and color theory are an important part of the course. Painting media includes tempera, watercolor, acrylic, oil, oil pastels, and mixed media. It may be helpful and/or necessary for the student to purchase some of his/her own supplies.

Prerequisite: Enrollment open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12.

SCULPTURE Course 845 .5 credit

All students will explore methods for creating three dimensional forms while learning a variety of techniques and methods for working with various media. Students begin by building basic skills, transforming shapes into form. As students learn techniques and the ability to communicate ideas three dimensionally, more complex processes such as armature sculpture, direct carving, and assemblage will be introduced. Students will work with materials such as paper, wire, plaster, found objects and possibly stone and air dry clay. Sculpture throughout art history will provide the inspiration for many projects.

CERAMICS I Course 868 .5 credit

This course allows students to explore ceramic pottery. Constructing with hand building techniques, the emphasis is on utilitarian and sculptural design projects. Students study the lifestyles, techniques and production of various cultures throughout history, as well as contemporary work, processes and ideas of modern ceramic artists. The students also experiment with various methods of surface design and applications of glazing. The potter’s wheel is introduced, but not required.

ADVANCED CERAMICS Course 869 .5 credit

This Pottery course is designed for pottery students who have developed a serious interest in ceramics and want to expand basic knowledge into more applications. Emphasis is on individual approaches to building and to wheel throwing.

Prerequisites: Ceramics 1.

NOTE: This course may be taken two times for credit.

PRINTMAKING PROCESSES AND GRAPHIC DESIGN Course 841 .5 credit

This course will cover basic printmaking techniques such as mono-printing, linoleum block and transfer techniques as well as more advanced techniques, such as etching, relief printing and silkscreen. Students will study art history as it relates specifically to printmaking. Graphic design skills will be taught throughout the course and, based on lab availability, students will have the opportunity to complete basic graphic design assignments on the computer. In addition, bookmaking techniques will be introduced in this course.

DESIGN MEDIA THROUGH TECHNOLOGY I Course 871 .5 credit

This course of study uses media as a form of visual communication from hieroglyphics to digital media. Students will be designing with a variety of media through group and individual studio projects. Media projects will include; hieroglyphics, manuscripts, printmaking, book design, newspaper, magazine, photography, film, television, comics, digital photography, computer animation and digital video editing. The course provides a historical chronology of how civilizations advanced through communication technologies.

DESIGN MEDIA THROUGH TECHNOLOGY II Course 872 .5 credit

This course is designed for the serious student who desires to continue working on advanced projects in digital photography, computer animation, video editing and web portfolio. Students will create narrative and interactive projects. Emphasis will be on applying the elements and principles of design to digital media. This program prepares students who are interested in pursuing careers in Communication Technologies.

Prerequisites: Minimum of a B in Media Production I/Enrollment open to 11th or 12th grade students or permission from the instructor.

Note: This course may be taken two times for credit.

ADVANCED ART Course 855 1 credit

The essentials of drawing, color theory, two dimensional and three dimensional designs and the elements and principles of design are reviewed, practiced expanded upon and, subsequently, applied with an emphasis on exploring and developing a unique approach to these concepts and skills. Art History relative to the 19th and 20th centuries is incorporated throughout the course.

Assistance with portfolio preparation and college information is given to those interested in pursuing a post high school education in art. Representatives from various art schools visit this class.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of a B in Art 2E and/or permission from the instructor. Students must have attained a minimum of 1.5 credits in Art in order to take Advanced Art.

NOTE: This course may be taken for credit two times.

MUSEUM STUDIES Course 870 .5 credit

This course is open to students interested in all aspects of museum/gallery operations. The Newport Art Museum along with Art Educators will bring together a variety of Art Museum professionals who are associated with museum careers. Students will explore various types of museums with attention to the role played by curators, education directors, registrars, librarians, plant managers and endowment specialists. The curriculum will include Administration, Curatorial Explorations, Education, and Marketing. This course will fulfill outreach and community service requirements with a culminating exhibition at the Museum. This course is open to 12th grade students for credit.

Note: Museum studies is taught off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation.

VISUAL ARTS IN SOCIETY Course 859 1 credit

This course is a discipline-based course designed to meet National Standards in both Art History and Cultural Studies. A survey of artwork and architecture from Pre-Historic society to contemporary artwork will be covered in the course. Interrelationships among the art forms are studied within the context of society. Studio assignments will be based directly upon each art historical and cultural time period. This course if offered with “Early Enrollment Credit”.

Prerequisites: Enrollment open to 11th or 12th grade students and with the permission of the instructor.

AP STUDIO ART: TWO DIMENSIONAL DESIGN Course 860 1 credit

The Advanced Placement studio art course is offered during the same time block as VAS. This rigorous course is only offered to students who have taken advanced art or have the permission of the instructor. This course covers portfolio preparation for students attempting to receive college board credit in studio art. The course is only designed for those students working two dimensionally. The period will serve as their advisory and assignment period, students are expected to have the skills and motivation to work independently to fulfill the assignments. Students will be required to take the AP exam in May in order to receive course credit.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Advanced Art or permission of the instructor.