Art

Senior High Curriculum

All students are required to take two semesters of fine arts courses.  Students may enroll in art or music.

The art program at BSM provides students with the opportunity for developing creativity, imaginative and effective visual expression, and a link to cultural history. Art & Design 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 involving more specific media and techniques. Students of all grade levels may take the art courses over their four years at BSM.

Art & Design (S1) (S2)

In this course students will learn about the elements and 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.

Clay I (S1) (S2)

In this course students will choose to focus on either slab building or wheel throwing. Students will learn to either build sculptural forms using slabs, or they will learn to throw useful objects using the potter's wheel. 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: Art & Design

One semester, one credit.

Clay II (S1) (S2)

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

Prerequisite: Clay I

One semester, one credit.

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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 drawing and design 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 varsious resources and the imagination. Materials are provided.

Prerequisite: Art & Design

One semester, one credit, open to S2freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors.

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.

Prerequisite: Drawing I

One semester, one credit.

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Painting I (S1) (S2)

This course is designed for the beginning painter as well as students with previous experience in painting. Students will learn to paint with acrylic paints. They will have lessons in mixing colors, tones, and intensities. Students will learn about composition, different art styles, and how to show dimension. Paint, brushes, canvas board, canvas, and other material will be provided.

Prerequisite: Art & Design

One semester, one credit.

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.

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.

Prerequisites: Art & Design and Photography I

One semester, one credit.

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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: Art & Design

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 who have taken Digital Photography will be able to complete assignments in the darkroom or on the computer.

Prerequisite: Photography I.

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

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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: Art & Design

One semester, one credit.

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.

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Studio Art

Studio courses may be repeated. Students must have successfully completed the first two levels of one medium to be eligible for enrollment.

Ceramic Arts Studio (S1) (S2)

This course 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.

Prerequisites: Clay I and Clay II

One semester, one credit.

Drawing Studio (S1) (S2)

This course is for students who want to continue to develop their technique, skills, and expression. The student, along with the teacher's assistance, will plan projects in drawing that fit personal interests while highlighting their strengths and challenging their creativity.

Prerequisites: Drawing I and II

One semester, one credit.

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.

Prerequisites: Painting I and II

One semester, one credit.

Photography Studio (S1) (S2)

This course 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.

Prerequisites: Photography I, Photography II

One semester, one credit, open to 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 and mixed media prints.

Prerequisites: Silkscreen & Design I and II

One semester, one credit.

Advanced Placement Studio Art
The AP Studio Art course allows students the opportunity to earn college credit. In place of a traditional written exam, students submit a portfolio of their work for review. Because the final portfolio submitted to the College Board for evaluation usually contains work from previous semesters, students must declare their intention to enroll in AP Studio Art during level one or level two of their chosen medium. The instructor will introduce the requirements of the College board and assist students in documenting their work. The number of pieces and requirements vary between portfolios

AP Studio Art: 2-D Design (S2)

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

AP Studio Art: Drawing (S2)
The work included in the portfolio may come from any semester of drawing. Prerequisites: Drawing I and II.

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

AP Studio Art: 3-D Design (S2)              
The work included in this portfolio will come from clay. One theme is chosen for the semester and 8 to10 related pieces will be produced to create the portfolio. The portfolio consists of three parts:  breath, concentration, and quality. In this class students will focus on the "concentration" portion of their portfolio. The student will choose a theme and produce works related to the theme. A minimum of three semesters of clay is necessary to experience the content and produce the number and types of work required by the College Board. The student will work with the clay instructor.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Clay I and Clay II.

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

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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