FINE ARTS



OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
The Fine Arts program provides students with opportunities to find meaning in personal, socio-cultural and aesthetic experiences through the production and understanding of art. The program provides a solid foundation in two- and three-dimensional art, including drawing, design, painting, sculpture, and ceramics, as well as darkroom and digital photography and advanced level courses in a variety of media.

Constructive criticism is an integral part of classroom discussion to help each artist more fully realize his or her creative potential. Discussions of all aspects of art, from generating ideas to the technical processes are included in instruction and practice. References to art history and contemporary art are integrated into every class. Field trips and collaborative projects will heighten student awareness and appreciation of art.

Ongoing student art exhibitions take place in our gallery throughout the year. Students, faculty, family and friends are encouraged to come together at gallery openings to celebrate and support the efforts of these young artists.

Each course has two main components: studio work, and sketchbook practice. Both should demonstrate an exploration in which reflection and research lead to experimentation and successful artistic production.

STUDIO WORK
The work created in the studio is exploratory, creative and imaginative. The subject matter, ideas and techniques are combined to produce a thoughtful coherent result. The artist’s intent and vision should add meaning and validity to the work.

SKETCHBOOKS
Sketchbooks are required for all students taking an art course. The general purpose of the sketchbook is to show personal growth. The sketchbook should contain visual and written information, including the student’s own original works such as sketches and diagrams, and should function as a working journal. The sketchbook is a testing ground for ideas and formal design concerns as well as for media experimentation.

Course Offerings - Lower School

Two-Dimensional Studio Art: Elements of Visual Thinking
Studio Art offers a foundation for all other art courses. This course covers fundamental skills, techniques, knowledge and attitudes necessary to produce and understand visual art. Students learn how to create and critique art and are encouraged to relate the beauty and meaning of art to their own lives. The importance of the Elements and Principles of Art, the study of known artists, the development of creative and critical thinking skills will be stressed in this course. Students will learn about the historical and contemporary role of art in the world and their own community. A variety of artistic media will be explored utilizing black and white as well as color. Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary, responsibility and craftsmanship.

Exploring Sculptural Forms



To introduce students to working and thinking in 3-D, this hands-on class includes traditional sculpture materials including wood and clay as well as contemporary media and found objects. Students will learn a variety of sculptural techniques including carving, papier-mâché, casting, wire and assemblage. Students are encouraged to use their problem solving skills to produce thoughtful, imaginative work. Students will look at a number of sculptors, both historical and modern. Students will learn to think critically and speak about art in an informative manner.

Ceramics: Hands on Clay
Ceramics is the study of clay and its properties. Students will learn the basic techniques for hand-building and glazing. They will have the opportunity to work with a variety of different tools and methods used to create ceramic sculptures. Projects will include traditional construction, modeling forms from observation, and some experimental techniques.

Course Offerings - Upper School

Two-Dimensional Studio Art: Drawing and Painting I
This full year course blends the imaginative and technical aspects of art and design. Designed for students who are just learning to draw realistically, this course is an introduction to drawing from observation using both drawing materials and painting media. The class focuses on line, value, composition, linear and atmospheric perspective and mark-making. The styles and techniques of a variety of artists will be used to see how they used both real life settings and their imagination to create their own expressive works. Basic principles of composition and color will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to work in a broad variety of media. Personal expression, creative techniques, critical analysis of artwork, and art history will be included.

Two-Dimensional Studio Art: Drawing and Painting 2
This course will be especially interesting to students who enjoy drawing and painting, combining various media and introducing personal ideas into their artwork. This course explores the basic elements of visual narrative, including composition, continuity, mood through hands-on exercises in drawing, collage, printmaking, and painting media. Both traditional and non traditional approaches to visual art are considered, including non figurative art in pure color and form. Instruction in drawing from life will also be emphasized to help students to capture action and expression. These newly developed skills will be used to create personal story collages, drawings and paintings, which depict students’ own experiences, ideas and dreams. Students will be introduced to a number of artists as well as a variety of art materials and techniques throughout the course of the year.

Two-Dimensional Studio Art III: Portfolio Preparation
Students in this class will focus on creating works for a portfolio that reflect the skills and quality that art schools are looking for in their prospective students. Instruction in basic drawing and painting technique, learning to see, and developing personal themes will be explored through a variety of materials and techniques. Techniques explored within this course will include drawing, painting, printmaking and a combination of both. Subjects explored include: drawing the figure in space which focuses on the human body by drawing and studying the model as a means to expand visual perception and refine drawing skills, drawing and painting the still life, and the personal narrative. Concepts of composition, surface and texture, size and scale and light and color will be investigated. Students will be expected to consider a variety of traditional and unconventional subjects ranging from landscape and the body to text and self-generated topics.

Three-Dimensional Studio Art I: Sculpture
A survey of sculptural techniques and media designed to expand the students’ understanding of three-dimensional art forms. Students will experience traditional methodologies such as carving, relief work, and construction. Emphasis is placed on form, structure, and craftsmanship. Students will also be challenged to develop conceptual ideas and to explore non-traditional materials. They will be introduced to a long tradition of sculptors from the distant past to contemporary artists. Students will collect research to further their understanding of contemporary sculptors and will share knowledge with their classmates.

Ceramics: The Fundamentals of Clay
Ceramics is the study of clay and its properties. Students will learn the basic techniques required for hand-building and glazing, and then adapting them to enhance their own visions. Students will explore the different possibilities that clay provides as an artistic medium beyond functional pottery. Projects will include traditional construction, modeling forms from observation and experimental techniques.

Studies in Digital Photography



This course will be an introduction to the world of digital imaging aesthetics and techniques. Students will explore the world of digital photography through the use of digital cameras, and imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop. Students learn to use the computer as a tool in fine art photography as they capture, manipulate and output their photos to produce a collection of personal fine art images that can be put in their portfolio. Students will use point and shoot digital cameras as well as Digital SLR’s. Students will manipulate and print their digital files using a variety of resources such as an Apple Mac lab (and some PC’s), scanners, negative scanner, ink-jet printers, and laser printers. The most recent technical advancements in digital photo will be combined in this course often with traditional techniques of collage and montage and traditional photo tools and tricks. Students will also work with studio lighting tools such as strobe lights, hot lights, umbrellas, tri-pods and backgrounds.

Traditional Darkroom Photography
This is an introductory course in traditional black and white printing and processing that introduces students to the vast world of photography. Emphasis will be placed on the photographic image as a means of personal expression and the use of the camera to explore and discover the visual world. Various technical tools will be learned as well, students will: shoot, process, and print in a darkroom their own photographs. No experience is necessary. The history of photography will also be discussed, which will include some research, reading, and writing. Students are expected to supply a 35mm film manual adjustable camera. If a manual is not available, a point-and-shoot film camera can be used as a substitute and we also have several cameras available for in school use.

Traditional Darkroom Photography 2
This is an advanced level course in traditional black and white printing and processing that continues to explore the vast world of photography. Students must have taken level 1 and have their portfolio reviewed to continue with this level 2 course. Emphasis will continue to be placed on the photographic image as a means of personal expression and the use of the camera to explore and discover the visual world. The technical tools of photography will be built upon, students will: shoot, process, and print in a darkroom their own photographs. The class will also incorporate alternative methods of photo, and other mediums of art into their photography, such as painting and sculptural elements. Students will be encouraged to structure their work into series and thematic interest; in order to broaden and strengthen their voice as an artist, and build a strong portfolio. The history of photography will be discussed, which will include some research, reading, and writing. Students will view videos and slides regarding well known photographers. Students are expected to supply a 35mm film manual adjustable camera. A manual film camera must be used at the advanced level and several cameras are available for in school use.

E-mail: finearts@palcs.org