VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS:
ART DEPARTMENT
VPA Department Head: Brad Behrmann
Art Instructor: Ellen Royal

The Visual and Performing Arts Department is comprised of the Art, Drama, and Music Disciplines. Students are required to complete 1.5 credits in the arts by taking any combination of courses from the three disciplines adding up to 1.5 credits. Additional electives from all three departments are open to students with time and interest for them, providing prerequisites within the department are met.

All studio art classes meet once a week. Most aspects of artwork are best accomplished at school rather than at home because studio space, supplies, and equipment are readily available in the Art Department. For this reason, all art students are required to set aside time on their schedules to complete course work in the studio.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRODUCTION TO ART
.5 credit
Students are introduced to various media, tools, and techniques as they explore the fundamentals of art. There are studio experiences in drawing, painting and sculpture, which acquaint students with the elements and principles of design. Students will investigate the historical relationships between visual art, society, and culture as students explore their own ability to express themselves visually. This course provides a rich and rewarding experience for anyone who enjoys being creative and is a prerequisite to all other art courses. It is advisable a student enroll in Introduction to Art as a freshman as three years of art is a prerequisite to Advanced Art.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshmen through Senior

DRAWING 1
.5 credits
This course emphasizes learning how to draw and is appropriate for the novice as well as those with experience. Students will learn how to use the right half of their brain to observe details they have never seen before and how to record these images in the form of contour lines on paper. A variety of materials will be used to draw gestures, still life, nature, perspective, and portraits. The main focus in Drawing 1 is using pencil, pen and ink. Drawing is a fundamental experience for any student who may choose to study art, architecture, fashion, interior or graphic design or other related fields in the future. It is a prerequisite to Painting 1, Drawing 2, Painting 2, and Advanced Art.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

PAINTING 1 .5 credit
Students continue to explore color theory and composition as they study landscape, still life, and portrait painting with acrylic paints. There is an emphasis on technique and proper care of materials. An introduction to the history of painting will be introduced as well as art criticism. Painting 1 is a prerequisite to Painting 2 and Advanced Art.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art and Drawing 1
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

DRAWING 2
.5 credit
This course is designed for the student interested in further developing her drawing abilities and is highly recommended for those who seek to develop an art portfolio for college. A variety of media and techniques are explored including charcoal, pastel, pencil, pen and ink. Students work from life subjects and special emphasis is placed on composition. Students are responsible for materials not provided by the art department. This class serves as an elective to qualify for Advanced Art. (With department approval this course may be repeated.) PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art, Drawing 1
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

PAINTING 2
.5 credit
This course is designed for the student interested in further developing her painting abilities and is highly recommended for those who seek to develop an art portfolio for college. A variety of media and techniques are explored including watercolor, and acrylic. Students work from life subjects and special emphasis is placed on composition. This class serves as an elective to qualify for Advanced Art. Students are responsible for materials not provided by the art department. (With department approval this course may be repeated.)
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art, Drawing 1 and Painting 1
CLASS STATUS: Junior through Senior

CERAMICS 1
.5 credit
This studio course is designed for students to explore an exciting and versatile medium, clay. The hand-building methods of pinch, slab, and coil are introduced as well as throwing on the wheel. Basic glazing techniques and the firing processes are explored. Form, function, craftsmanship, and surface design will be emphasized. Students are introduced to the use of clay throughout time and the significance of this medium in ancient civilization. This class serves as an elective to qualify for Advanced Art. (Ceramics is offered every other year beginning spring 2008.)
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

CERAMICS 2
.5 credit
Students learn advanced throwing and hand-building techniques. Emphasis is on form, function, craftsmanship, and surface design. For the student who enjoyed Ceramics I class, this is an exciting course that enables them to learn more about clay and the thousands of things that can be done with it. This class serves as an elective to qualify for Advanced Art.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art, Ceramics 1
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY 1
.5 credit
The principle of black and white photography will be offered through an introductory dual enrollment course at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. This course allows a student to receive high school credit as well as college credit. The student will attend classes at Meramec. This will also provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the rigors of a college campus. The specifics of the course may be found on Meramec’s website.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art and student must be at least 16 years of age
CLASS STATUS: Junior through Senior

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY (continued) 2
.5 credit
Black & white photography students learn advanced picture-taking techniques and advanced darkroom-printing techniques. This course will be offered through a dual enrollment course at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. This course allows a student to receive high school credit as well as college credit. The student will attend classes at Meramec. The specifics of the course may be found on Meramec’s website.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art, Black & White Photography 1 and student must be at least 16 years of age
CLASS STATUS: Junior through Senior

ARTIST WORKSHOP
.5 credit
A workshop is a short intense study in one area of art. This class provides students the opportunity to explore 3-4 different crafts selected by the teacher. Studio explorations are chosen from a diverse set of disciplines such as batik, tie dye, weaving, jewelry, fused glass, architectural studies, printmaking, and digital/computer technology. This class serves as an elective to qualify for Advanced Art. Students are responsible for materials not provided by the art department. Additional Course Fee Applies. (Artist Workshop is offered every other year beginning in Fall 2009)
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

*ADVANCED ART
.5 credit
This course is designed for the highly motivated art student who is interested in advancing their artistic skills. This weighted course is designed to provide challenging, in-depth explorations in two and three dimensional investigations utilizing a variety of advanced media and drawing. Students interested in photography may elect to focus on creative film investigations. Special emphasis is placed on art history, criticism and development of the student’s style.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art, Drawing I, Painting I & two additional semesters of art electives: Ceramics I and II, Photography I and II, Drawing II or Painting II (If Advanced Art is taken to focus on Photography; Black and White Photography 1 and 2 are prerequisites.)
CLASS STATUS: Senior

*SENIOR EXHIBITION .5 credit
As a continuation of semester one Advanced Art, students will continue to develop their skills in this weighted course as they work with advanced media in the form of two and three dimensional explorations or creative photography. Students prepare a final body of their work for exhibition in the spring art show.
PREREQUISITE: Advanced Art
CLASS STATUS: Senior

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1
.5 credit
This course is an introduction to digital photography. Students will learn digital camera basics, including the mechanics of the camera and printing with the computer. Students will be guided in exercises and projects to produce a portfolio of digital prints. No darkroom is included in this course. Students must provide their own digital camera. Additional course fee applies.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art
CLASS STATUS: Freshman through Senior

GRAPHIC DESIGN 1
.5 credit
Students will explore basic design and layout concepts combining drawing typography and computer software, inclusive of Photoshop. Designs can be used for calendars, posters, t-shirts, special events, sport magnets, and other functional pieces.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Art and Digital Photography
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior

INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART
.5 credit
This class is intended for self-motivated students who have a strong desire to improve their artistic skills. This course may be taken if you wish to extend your studies in drawing, painting, ceramics, or photography beyond the first level and beyond that which the art department offers in a given year. The course of study is based on your individual needs and mutually agreed upon with the teacher. Units are based on a variety of genres and are designed to encourage direct observation skills and creative interpretation. Those who are studying photography will focus on creative techniques as well.
PREREQUISITES: Introduction to Art, Drawing 1 and Painting 1 OR Introduction to Art and Black and White Photo 1
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore through Senior