Arts

This course is designed to continue the student’s development of drawing techniques and understanding of materials, which include graphite, charcoal, dry media, pen, and ink on a variety of drawing surfaces. Projects will cover advanced translation of form, space and color while emphasizing the ability to record and interpret observed imagery using drawing techniques and materials. The emphasis will be to render, translating and recording, from observation. Emphasis on increasing hand-eye coordination, technical discipline, and evolving a personal expressive use of technique within a defined subject matter. 

Through the hands-on exploration of traditional media, this course focuses on the principles of design and color theory as they are applied to 2D and 3D projects. The art elements of line, shape, form, space, and texture, as well as the design principles of balance, proportion, perspective, contrast, focal point, white space, unity, and color theory will be demonstrated in the layout of real-world graphic communication projects. Students will experience the design process from brainstorming to presentation, as they develop an understanding of the challenges inherent in integrating exemplary design through visual media.

Communication occurs through visual symbols as well as through verbal symbols or language. Through the ages, art has served to record visual data through images and symbolism. Art also conveys intense emotion, is used as propaganda or social commentary, is interpreted through cultural and religious contexts, and functions as storytelling. This course examines the bridge between language and images by exploring the vocabulary of the elements and principles of design, the history and function of art criticism, the terms used to describe major art movements and periods in Western art history, and the terminology related to the methods, processes and materials used to create art. Using observation, reflection and critical thinking, students will analyze, discuss and write about visual art.

This course will emphasize the design of projects that explore typographical structures, their characteristics, terminology, layout considerations, and the use of typography as a communication medium. This course uses both computer and hands-on methods to address the language of type and its effective use as a design element. By studying the language of type through its history and application, students will gain strong working knowledge of this essential element to graphic design.

This course surveys the history of art and design in Western and non-Western traditions from the 14th century in Europe to the Postmodern era up to the year 2000. The course emphasizes the connections among historical, political, social, religious and artistic developments, showing how artists and designers are influenced by the culture and time in which they live. 

This survey course will cover the movements in Modern (1880-1960) and Contemporary (1960- Present) art history. The history of art, architecture and design in Western and non-Western traditions will be analyzed for aesthetic developments and alignment to the corresponding historical, political, social and religious issues of the day. Emphasis will be on how artists define the culture and time in which they live, and the influence these movements have on artists of the present day. 

This course will build on the foundational skills developed in Fundamentals of Acting I.  Through structured exercises and intense scene study, the student will develop skills in script analysis, scoring a role, partner work, voice and movement, and basic audition technique. Students will apply their skills in several performance projects. 

This course is an introduction to the processes of painting through the investigation of materials, theories and techniques. This course will explore painting media with an emphasis of color theory, color mixing, composition and paint application on a variety of surfaces. The focus will be on creative approaches to painting and observational work. Historical and contemporary aesthetic issues will be explored through assignments, slide lectures, discussions, critiques and museum/gallery visits.

Students will continue developing drawing skills based on the knowledge and training acquired in Drawing I. More complex still-life, portrait, and life figure drawing will be created in classes. Further investigation of drawing materials and an introduction to more mediums will also be covered in this course.

Through the exploration of traditional artist watercolor techniques, students will learn and apply watercolor processes, procedures and techniques to selected compositions and motifs such as landscapes, floral arrangements, skies, still life, seascape and abstraction. Techniques will include washes, color mixing, brush technique, masking, sponging, wet on wet and mixed media. Students will work from life when practical, learning composition, atmospheric perspective and color theory.

This course provides an introduction to a variety of printmaking techniques including monotype, relief and intaglio processes. Students will create one of a kind prints and projects through the exploration of printmaking strategies and sequences while creatively and objectively addressing the historical and contemporary issues of the art form. Students will gain skills necessary to produce and evaluate aesthetic solutions for a variety of printmaking methods.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of creating three dimensional forms and sculptures. Through the manipulation of various materials, the student will investigate the composition and processes necessary to construct free-standing, suspended and relief sculpture. Students will employ modeling, carving, casting and construction methods to create original sculptural works. The three-dimensional elements of line, plane, surface, volume, mass and space will be utilized to create abstract and functional forms.