Visual Arts

Philosophy

The AISJ Visual Arts program will ensure that all our students construct a vital relationship with the arts to assist them in living lives rich in meaning and expression. A truly educated person will have and be enriched through, the development of artistic knowledge and skills.

We believe that an effective Visual Arts Program should be a “doing” program, focused on growth, and supporting student awareness and appreciation of the influence that the arts have on society and cultures. It should also assist in the development and improvement of students’ problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and necessary “habits of the mind” while demonstrating frequent and powerful interdisciplinary connections.

Visual Arts Standards

Standard 1: Creativity
Learners understand that the creative process is used to plan, organize, and problem solve

Standard 2: Elements of Art and Principles of Design
Learners understand and demonstrate that the language of art can be used in the creation of art

Standard 3: Media, Techniques and Craftsmanship
Learners understand the need to develop skills and craftsmanship to create works of art with materials, tools, and techniques

Standard 4: Connection and Communication
Learners understand and create art with relation to historical, cultural and social contexts

Standard 5: Historical and Cultural Contexts
Learners understand that art has influenced and defined history and culture

Standard 6: Critiquing
Learners understand that the language of art is used to describe, interpret and evaluate artworks

Course Description

Graphic Design

The focus in Graphic design will be on graphic artistry and on exploring creative visual solutions using technical skills. Students will be exposed to various design software (Adobe Creative Suite) that is the current industry standard. The course develops skills using digital tools to design, along with the elements, principles, and processes of the Design Cycle. Students will learn to visually express in typography, imagery, layout, and color. Students will build a skill-building portfolio that encourages them to be self-directed learners and showcase their creative efforts from concept to finished products.

Art

Art I:
Scaling Up (Acrylic Painting / Large Scale Drawings)
This course consists of two main projects: a painting project and a drawing project.  The first project will be an appropriation of another artist work with an emphasis on mixing colors and enlarging. Students will use grid work to help enlarge their piece.  With drawing, students will create a self-portrait but apply a ‘twist” to it to make it more than just a simple self-portrait. Again enlarging strategies will be used and applying the values scale.  

Art II:
Piece by Piece: Layering with Rhythm
The focus of this course will be on using layering and creating rhythm through use of form and shape.  The artists that will be studied will be Louise Nevelson and Joseph Cornell.  Both artists created works made from everyday objects which are put together.  Students will create one piece based on either Nevelson OR Joseph Cornell.  The second project will apply layering but using clay as the medium.  Students will create tiles that capture a moment in time.

Art III:
Storytelling in Art
Narrative Art or storytelling in Art has been alive since the time of the Egyptians.  In this course, students will learn to document an event or events. Tunnel Books and book illustrations will be the focus of this class.  Students will learn about what media to use having selected an event for focus. The Design Cycle will be utilized to illustrate this event.