Visual Arts Courses
Drawing
Students in this class will draw from observation to build a visual vocabulary using the principles and elements. This course will focus on drawing from observation, building on your current skill level. Through a series of scaffolded lessons students will learn to approach drawing in a way that is productive and inventive. Students will work with pencil, charcoal, and ink, to unlock the rich potential of these materials and their minds.
Painting
Painting class is designed to teach you painting techniques, styles, color concepts, composition, and some historical perspective on the art of painting. You will also have the opportunity to explore and develop your creativity and to develop a personal style in your artwork. We will work in watercolor and acrylic paint, and will paint subject matter including still life, landscape and portraiture. We will explore techniques such as mixed-media and illustration. We will paint on a variety of surfaces.
IB Art I & II
The IB visual arts junior year course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect on a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education and for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.
IB Art III & IV:
The IB Visual Arts seniors have a unique and interesting set of creative challenges before them. The IB assessments require a great deal of artistic reflection and production, beginning with the development of their Process Portfolio, which is a multipage analysis of the young artists inspiration, influences, experiments and development throughout the school year. The biggest challenge to the IB Senior is the Exhibition, which demands a great deal of planning, time management and art making. Each student is required to make between 8-12 original pieces of art, each connected to the other by a personal theme or thread, that will be publicly displayed in a local art gallery.
Technical Drawing:
Students are offered a hands-on introduction to the principles of architectural design and drafting. Through this course, students will learn how to accurately create and interpret technical drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, and sections, using both traditional drafting tools and modern CAD software. The class emphasizes spatial reasoning, precision, and creativity, while also introducing key architectural concepts, including scale, proportion, and building codes. This course is perfect for students interested in pursuing architecture, engineering, or design fields, providing a solid foundation for future studies and careers.
Computer Aided Design (CAD):
Students will learn to draw with precision in 2D and 3D using the industry standard software Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit. Projects will engage both technical and creative skills to cover multiple disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, research in Biotechnology, Publishing and Graphic Arts, or any other field of work that incorporates the need for precise digital design. At the end of the course, students can take the Certiport “Autodesk Certified User Exam” to receive industry recognized certification in the field.
