Art Courses

For any questions regarding Art courses, please contact Mr. Blazer, SBTL for the arts at bblazer@philasd.org or stop in room 324.

Introduction to Art – (9th grade – 1/2 year rotation)

This course introduces students to the elements and principles of art through hands-on lessons, as well as the study of individual artists and arts of Western and non-Western cultures. Students will conduct research into current art trends. Students are required to demonstrate a working knowledge of the major points and ideologies through the creation of two-dimensional works using a variety of drawing media. All students will be expected to write about art and to demonstrate an understanding of the elements and principles taught in the course.

Art 2 – (10th-12th)

In Art 2, fine art studio experiences are provided to students who are interested in developing their art skills and building portfolio work. Emphasis is placed on developing visual awareness, technical skills and creative solutions. A variety of drawing, painting, and printmaking media and techniques provide a foundation for continued art study. Projects exhibiting an understanding of the elements and principles of art are emphasized. The class also requires students to attend museums and galleries, to read and write about art, and to learn how to discuss their artwork and the artwork of their peers in a supportive classroom environment. Sketchbooks are utilized for notes, preliminary in-class drawings, and the completion of homework assignments. There are no prerequisites; Art 1 is not a requirement to take this course.

Art 3 Honors – (11th -12th)

In Art 3, the fine arts experience becomes more specialized and personalized. Art 3 is devoted to enhancing the drawing, painting and printmaking skills acquired in Art 2. Students will further explore media and techniques while developing one’s artistic voice. Emphasis is placed on understanding past and contemporary art styles, trends, and approaches to further personal creative development. Critical thinking and the ability to work independently become an important part of the art process. Research papers, gallery reports, critiques and self-evaluations are an integral part of the program

Prerequisite: Art 2 with a minimum grade of B.

AP Art – (12th)

This course is for 12th grade students only and meets two periods a day. Students who elect to become part of the AP course must submit a portfolio that fulfills the requirements of the College Board, which includes the submission of both the Sustained Investigation and Quality works. This course pushes students to synthesize their materials, processes and ideas into a cohesive body of work. Students must be prepared to work on self-driven art at an advanced level and to have a work ethic that enables them to meet deadlines and the completion of the portfolio works. There is a meeting in June to discuss the summer assignments that are due on the first day of classes. Prerequisite: Art 3 Honors with a minimum grade of a B.

Students without the prerequisite courses may submit a portfolio of 10 images that demonstrate advanced skill and concepts. Contact Ms. Keefe with questions.

IB Visual Arts Higher Level – (11th and 12th)

This is a two-year course which offers students extensive involvement in the study of art history, theory and criticism and relates this to their own studio work. This course is for students who are seeking to receive either an IB certificate or a diploma. This course of study is offered to students who choose to concentrate on research and develop art journals that record their research of historical and contemporary art forms. A multicultural and interdisciplinary approach to the study of art is emphasized and related production of art helps to highlight the role of visual arts to people from around the world. During the second year of the course, students will prepare work specifically for their exhibition. There will be more emphasis on independent research, exploration and development. Students are required to complete their IB HL Visual Arts work, including the Comparative Study, the Process Portfolio and the Exhibition work.

Prerequisite: Participation in the IB Diploma Program.

 

Graphic Design 1 – (10th-12th)

This is a course that combines fine art with graphic design. The students work individually and at times in teams to create graphic design and typographic images, advertising layouts, illustrations, packaging design, web design and sequential art. Students are responsible for presentations of images and products that take the needs of the client into consideration and have real-life applications. Drawing will be an active part of this class and skills in this area are encouraged. Student learning revolves around the Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Additionally, students work with Sculptris and Blender, which are both free 3D modeling software platforms.

 

Graphic Design 2 – (11th -12th)

This course focuses on building upon students’ skills with digital media and applied design. Emphasis is placed on understanding past and contemporary styles, trends, and approaches to further personal creative development. Students learn to think critically and to develop a personal design approach and style. Students will choose one or two software platforms previously learned in Digital Design 1 and focus on mastery level understanding of design using the software.

Prerequisite: Graphic Design 1 with a minimum grade of B.

 

Photographic Media – (10th -12th)

This course is an introduction to technical and aesthetic properties of digital photography and film with an emphasis on the use of a manual digital camera. Students learn to use the camera as a vehicle to develop a sense of composition, according to the elements and principles of design, and to illustrate complex ideas and meanings through visual art. Additionally, students learn to create efficient, digital workflow using basic image and film editing skills and software programs. Historical and contemporary still and moving images are presented in a cultural context for student learning. Hands-on projects are balanced with critiques, research papers, presentations, and reaction papers.

Students must own a MANUAL digital camera. Students will NOT be permitted to use a cell phone for projects.

 

Photographic Media 2 – (11th – 12th)

This course is designed to further develop students’ skills in digital photography and film with an emphasis on mastering the manual capabilities of a digital camera. Students build on previous themes and techniques in order to apply their skills to express one’s artistic voice. Hands-on projects are balanced with critiques, research papers, and presentations, reaction papers and self-evaluations. The ability to think critically and to work independently is required.

Students must own a MANUAL digital camera. Students will NOT be permitted to use a cell phone for projects.

Prerequisite: Digital Photography with a minimum grade of B.

Sculpture 1 – (10th-12th)

In this art course students explore the essentials of design through creating three-dimensional works. Students will use a variety of materials that include, but are not limited to: clay, wire, cardboard, foam, found objects, wood and stone. Students will utilize the elements of design to construct additive sculptures, carve subtractive works, model figures and abstractions, and design utilitarian objects. Research and reaction papers will be assigned.

 

Sculpture 2 – (11th-12th)

This course is designed to further develop students’ skills in three-dimensional media and design concepts. Students further explore techniques with a variety of materials and learn to apply their skills to express one’s artistic voice. Research papers, gallery reports, critiques and self-evaluations are an integral part of the program, as well as the ability to think critically and to work independently.

Prerequisite: Sculpture 1 with a minimum grade of B.

 

Introduction to Drafting and Architecture

Listed in the Student Portal as “Des & Aesthetics of Hum Hab”)– (10th-12th – 1/2 year rotation)

In this half-year course, students explore the design, planning, and development of architectural drawings. Emphasis is placed on the production of construction documents and presentation media through traditional and computer-aided equipment. Students will be required to learn concepts, vocabulary, architecture/design history, and a range of rendering skills both two- and three-dimensional. This course is highly recommended for students preparing for future studies in architecture or theatrical production.

 

Costume Design – (10th-12th – 1/2 year rotation)

Costume Design offers a real-life problem-solving challenge through making clothing and costumes for Central High School Performing Arts productions. Costume Design uses the design process in order to best fully articulate solutions to costume challenges. In Costume Design, students research historical precedents in order to aid in appreciation, understanding, and inspiration. Ideas are developed via sketches and small prototypes and mockups. Methods and materials are investigated through experimentation prior to final execution of projects, and mastery of skills learned will be demonstrated in the craftsmanship of objects created. Projects are critiqued and analyzed both in process and in its completed state. Students are encouraged to use critiques to improve their work by addressing craftsmanship and conceptual issues.

 

Theatrical Production Design – (10th-12th – 1/2 year rotation)

This course is structured to provide students with the skills required to research, analyze and communicate theatrical design ideas in sets, lights and stage management. Students will gain experience in the basic graphic techniques used by design professionals, including freehand sketching and thumbnail drawing, figure drawing and watercolor painting, drafting in scale and mechanical perspective drawing. Study of design process and objectives and the nature of the collaborative environment will also be examined along with contemporary design and designers.