There is a $25/semester materials fee for all art classes,
except Art Foundations and Art History.

AR1111 Art Foundations 1 0.50 Units
Recommended for Grades 9 & 10
Prerequisite: None

A basic visual arts course, its purpose is to provide a general overview, appreciation and knowledge of the Visual Arts within the context of Art History. It is supplemented with hands-on activities in application of the related Design and Art Fundamentals theory under study. A variety of art forms, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and graphics are explored to help students identify with the artistic process, including clay design, drawing, painting, photography and IB art. The course is required for any serious future study of art.

AR1211 Art Foundations II 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: AR1111
A continuation of the Art Foundations I course.

AR1511 Drawing 1.00 Units
Prerequisite: AR1111 (10th - 12th grade)

Drawing is universal to all the arts. This course is designed for students who wish to explore and pursue further growth in the area of draftsmanship. During the year, students will build skill and understanding through guided investigation of still life, figure studies, and landscape, as well as more abstract problems in graphic design. A broad range of drawing media and subject matter will be explored.

AR3011 Clay Design I 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: AR1111, 10th - 12th Grade

Clay Design is a course taught within the context of Art History and designed for students interested in learning how to correctly construct clay pottery and ceramic sculpture. Students will explore and gain knowledge of ceramic processes and techniques in this primarily hands-on course.

AR3111 Clay Design II 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: AR3011
A continuation of Clay Design I.

AR4711 Painting 1.00 Units
Prerequisite: AR1111

Painting is a course that provides students with an opportunity to explore a variety of painting media including watercolor, tempera, ink, and acrylic. Paper, chipboard, masonite and canvas are some of the surfaces used. Through the study of historic and contemporary painters, students will be encouraged to develop their own style.

AS3611 Art History 1.00 Units
Prerequisite: Open to grades 11-12

A course designed for students with an interest in the history of art. This course, with a historical emphasis, provides a broad and culturally diverse overview of art and its role in the history of humanity. Based predominantly on the art of the western world, attention is given to the Greek and Roman Classical periods, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, and the major modern art movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. The art department sponsored field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago is mandatory and will require a written criticism of one major work of art at the museum.


AR3411 Photography I 0.50 Units

AR3511 Photography II 0.50 Units
Prerequisite: AR1111, 10th - 12th Grade

Please note: Students must own or obtain use of a 35mm camera for photography courses.

In the beginning photography course, students will learn mechanical operation of the camera, basic darkroom techniques, and photographic composition. During the semester, students will take photos, develop film, and print photos. Tests and exams are all written.

In Photography II, the prerequisite is Photography I (AR3411). A continuation of the study of photographic media, with more advanced techniques in shooting, processing, and printing covered.

AS911B IB Visual Arts 1 1.00 Units

AS931B IB Visual Arts 2 1.00 Units
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor/Department

IB Visual Arts is a rigorous pre-university course that leads to completion of the IB art examination. It is a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows students to earn college credit in national and international educational systems. IB Visual Arts places emphasis on practical production by the student and exploration of a range of creative work in a global context. With consent of the instructor, students work in the studio area of their choice, producing a portfolio of artwork. Beginning students may be assigned specific artistic exercises, and as students advance, they are expected to develop their own direction and set their own artistic objectives. Students are required to keep a "Research Workbook" that contains a written record of the student's development in the IB art program. The workbook also demonstrates the student's critical awareness of the meaning and function of visual arts in the student's native cultures as well as the cultures of others in a global context. All IB Visual Arts students mount an exhibition of their portfolio and submit their research workbooks to an external examiner, who examines the student's materials, conducts an oral examination, and scores the candidate according to criteria used in IB schools worldwide. The examiner forwards all scores to the IB Organization.