FINE ARTS

Fine art classes are offered on a rotating basis from year to year. Studio in Art must be taken before pursuing other art electives and fulfills the requirement for one unit of art. All art classes are taught according to the New York standards for art and portfolio assessment. Every class includes art history, aesthetics, and criticism using art materials and studio production. A notebook, portfolio, and sketchbook are needed for all classes. A full unit of Creative Crafts I and II may be used to fulfill the art requirement for graduation. An Advanced Regents Diploma can be obtained by meeting course requirements that would include a 5-unit sequence in Art to replace the three-year language sequence.

STUDIO IN ART (1 Unit)
This course offered a comprehensive foundation for all secondary art. The course develops the basic design principles and elements, which are the basis of experience in drawing, painting, print making, collage, sculpture, pottery, design, and art appreciation. Students will develop concepts, skills, and an awareness of art history in addition to the ability to critically evaluate their own artwork as well as others. Each student will establish: a portfolio, which will include artwork completed throughout the year; a sketchbook with homework assignments; and a journal with notes, research, aesthetics and criticism. There is a $2.00 lab fee to cover the cost of sketchbook and portfolio.

CREATIVE CRAFTS 1 - (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2007-2008)
This is a multicultural course in which students are introduced to the fundamentals of three- dimensional design through the creation of crafts in various materials. Students will study Asian Culture, the Middle Ages, and the Arts & Crafts movement. Students are required to keep a notebook for the class and take a final exam. Handmade paper and books, calligraphy and Sumiart, mosaics, gargoyles, weaving and batik are a few of the crafts explored. (Fulfills art requirement for graduation.) Some ceramics will also be included.

CREATIVE CRAFTS II - (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2007-2008)
In this multicultural course, students will continue to learn the fundamentals of three-dimensional design through the creation of crafts using a variety of media. The art of Native America, Africa, South America, and Mexico will be studied for projects. Masks, basketry, ceramics, and papier-mâché will be included in the curriculum.

COMPUTER ART - (1 Unit)
Computer Art is both a Graphic Arts and Fine Arts course exploring the digital and virtual visual world through a variety of software, hardware and sources. Both the MX Studio and adobe software will be introduced to the students taking this course. Basic computer skills are needed as well as design skills. Digital photography, illustration, animation and desktop publishing are a few areas developed into units of study for students taking this course. Students will develop a multi-media presentation as a means of developing a thesis based on research. The presentation will be the introductory point to creating a major digital work. At the conclusion of this course students will develop a digital portfolio, studying professions, which both parallel and are in contrast to their approach used when creating their digital work.

the student wishing to pursue a three or five unit sequence in Fine Arts, Studio In Art is a prerequisite for all of the following advanced level courses:

DRAWING AND PAINTING 1 (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2008-2009)
The drawing and painting course is designed for students whose primary interest in art lies in two-dimensional expression; it is concerned strictly with painting and drawing. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for the acquisition and development of basic draftsmanship, composition, and application of color using a variety of media and styles of art. Art History and contemporary works will be studied extensively. Students will need a sketchbook/journal, and art toolbox. This course may alternate every other year with Advanced Art and Photography. It may be taken as a full year or as a 1/2 year (unit) credit.

DRAWING AND PAINTING 2 (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2008-2009)
Drawing and Painting 2 continues to explore a variety of drawing and painting media, techniques, and styles based on master artwork, both past and present. Students who wish to build a portfolio for college application or who are interested in developing painting skills should take this course following Drawing and Painting 1.

PHOTOGRAPHY (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2007-2008)
This is an advanced art course to be elected after the student has completed a full year of Studio in Art. The course is designed to teach students to use the camera creatively, to consider photography as an art as well as a technical operation and hobby, and to realize its potential as a possible vocation. Although the student must become familiar with the technical aspects, the ultimate emphasis remains with photography as an art form. Students need a camera and should expect the course to cost about $25.00 for film developing.

ADVANCED ART (1/2 Unit) (Offered 2007-2008)
This advanced art elective covers both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art using a variety of media. Printmaking, sculpture, and collage, in addition to some drawing and painting, will be explored.