Art

Senior High Curriculum

The art program at BSM provides students with the opportunity for developing creativity, imaginative and effective visual expression, and a link to cultural history. Introduction to Art is a foundation course that fulfills one of two fine arts credits required for graduation. Following this prerequisite class, a student may enroll in classes that involve more specific media and techniques. Students of all grade levels may take the art courses over their four years at BSM.

Each course is offered both semester one and two. Studio courses may be repeated. Refer to specific course requirements.

Introduction to Art (S1) (S2)

This introduction to art will teach the principles of art through drawing, designing, painting, and constructing. Students will learn specific art skills as well as historical background in order to expand their comprehension of art for future use. Students will be evaluated on performance and effort. This course is the prerequisite for all other art courses. It fulfills one credit of the two fine arts credits required for graduation.

One semester, one credit, open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Clay I (S1) (S2)

In this course students will learn to form clay into useful objects by hand building and using the potter's wheel, as well as to build sculptural forms. Students are taught the properties of clay and glaze through progressively more challenging projects. They will be introduced to various decorating and glazing techniques. A majority of the class time will be spent working on projects. Clay and glazes will be provided.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and S2 freshmen.

Clay II (S1) (S2)

This course is for students who wish to further explore three-dimensional form. Students will develop skills in wheel throwing, hand building, and sculpture.

Prerequisite: Clay I

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Ceramic Arts Studio (S1) (S2)

This class is for students who have a desire to further investigate ceramic arts. Students are required to work with the teacher in determining projects. The focus will be on improving skills students have begun to develop and on exploring the relationship between form and surface decoration.

Prerequisite: Clay I and Clay II

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course may be repeated.

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Drawing I (S1) (S2)

This course, designed for the student who likes to draw or who wants to learn to draw, offers experiences to help students build on their skills and techniques. Students will use a variety of drawing media including pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, scratchboard, and colored pencils. Assignments will include drawing objects from nature, faces and figures, photos, and the imagination. The course offers variety and involvement. Materials are provided.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and semester two freshmen.

Drawing II (S1) (S2)

Drawing II continues the exploration of drawing media and subjects. Further work will be done in perfecting pencil technique, charcoal, pastel, and combined media. Students will have greater choice in the subjects they choose to draw and can compile a portfolio of the semester's work.

Prerequisite: Drawing I

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Drawing Studio (S1) (S2)

This class is for students who want to continue working in the drawing medium to develop their technique, skills, and expression. The student, along with the teacher's assistance, will plan projects in drawing that fit interests in subjects and experimentation in the media of choice.

Prerequisite: Drawing I and II

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. This course may be repeated.

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Painting I (S1) (S2)

If you like or want to learn to express yourself with paint on paper or canvas, this course is for you. Students will work primarily with acrylic paint. They will learn to paint compositions based on the subjects of people, places, objects, and the imagination. The course will include lessons in techniques in mixing colors, different styles of painting, and painting things that look "real" by learning how to shade, etc. Paints, brushes, canvas, and other materials will be provided.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and freshmen.

Painting II (S1) (S2)

Students in Painting II will continue the development of their skills in painting with acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media. They will paint on a variety of supports including stretched canvas. Painting assignments will be based on traditional and contemporary portrait and landscape styles as well as spontaneous, interpretive works. Paints, easels, canvas boards, brushes, and most other supplies will be provided.

Prerequisite: Painting I

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Painting Studio (S1) (S2)

Painting studio provides students who have completed Painting I and II the opportunity to emphasize development of their own styles of expression or to experiment in the media. Students can use collage, fabrics, and other materials to put on the painted image. The students and teacher will collaborate to create paintings using the elements and principles of design. This course can be repeasted several times allowing students to explore their own ideas in painting.

Prerequisite: Painting I and II

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Photography--Digital (S1) (S2)

This course is for students who wish to explore photography with a digital camera, learning a set of techniques and terminology specific to this format. In addition to the basics of camera functions, students will learn to organize digital work and enhance photographs for printing using Adobe Photoshop. More than taking pictures, this class will also explore the computer side of digital with the transferring of images from the camera and preparing them for print. All students enrolled in this class must have their own digital camera.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art and Photography I

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

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Photography I (S1) (S2)

This course will help students learn how to take good pictures as well as to develop their own negatives and to make prints. Picture-taking assignments will include the use of creative composition, portraits, landscapes, and still life. In addition, special darkroom techniques will be explored. All students must have a 35mm camera to use for this class. Automatic 35mm cameras are acceptable.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Photography II (S1) (S2)

This one-semester course continues the exploration and perfection of black and white photography. The focus of the course will be on improved picture taking and darkroom skills. Students will create a portfolio of their work.

Prerequisite: Photography I.

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Photography Studio (S1) (S2)

This class is for students who have a desire to further investigate photography. Students and teacher will collaborate on the designing of projects that will improve photographic skills and aid in the creation of a student portfolio.

Prerequisite: Photography I, Photography II

One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors. This course may be repeated.

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Silkscreen & Design I (S1) (S2)

In this course, students will learn and increase their understanding of the elements and principles, mainly focusing on the
components of design. A goal for students is to develop original ideas, through the use of multiple areas of media,
including glass etching, print making, and Adobe Creative Suite. Students will learn the techniques of screen-printing and
have a hands on learning experience.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and semester two freshmen.

Silkscreen & Design II (S1) (S2)

This one-semester course continues the exploration of media and silkscreen techniques. These will include photo silkscreen printing, surface decoration on shirts, and combined images, such as collage, as well as mixed media. Student interest may also determine the direction of projects. Computer-aided design will be included in the course.

Prerequisite: Silkscreen & Design I.

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Silkscreen & Design Studio (S1) (S2)

This class is for students who wish to further explore the silkscreen technique and develop their skills, ability and creativity. Students and teacher will collaborate in choosing goals and ideas for each student's projects. Projects may include multicolor screen prints, mixing screen prints with paint, creating a found object sculpture, scroll sawing forms to assemble, etching, etc.

Prerequisite: Silkscreen & Design I and II

One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course may be repeated.

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Junior High Curriculum

Art 7

Seventh grade art is a course designed to introduce and increase the knowledge of the elements and principals of art. Students develop their ability to make critical judgments about art and to understand and appreciate the influences of art from other times and cultures. Students will further develop their art skills with various media and techniques.

One semester course, meets every other day, required of 7th graders.

Art 8

Eighth grade art is a course designed to build upon and increase the student's knowledge of various aesthetic theories, including Formalism. In this class students will learn to analyze, compare, interpret, and evaluate works of art. Students will analyze their work and the work of other artists using the principles and elements of design. Students will further develop their art skills with various media and techniques.

One semester course, meets every other day, required of 8th graders.

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