Visual Arts Department

Ms. Pamela LeBlanc, Director

Phone: 508-841-8841 Email: pleblanc@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

The Visual Arts Program provides students with the opportunity to work with a wide variety of materials in order to develop their skills, perceptions, and creativity.  Each course is designed to introduce or master skills from earlier training, as well as to develop a knowledge base of various artists and art movements. Some courses require a prerequisite.  Students looking to take the Studio I course are required to take one semester of Art Intro or Creative Sketchbooks.  All Studio level courses provide students with concepts and skills to build a portfolio for college.

 

All courses offered in the Visual Arts Department incorporate standards-based instruction and learning that meet the Massachusetts Creative Arts Curriculum Frameworks.  "Learning in, about and through the arts develops each learner’s capacity to make meaning from experience, to respond, creatively and to contribute to society.”

 

Art Intro (6500)                                                                      

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  9-12         A Level     

Maybe you are intimidated by drawing and/or painting or maybe you are looking to improve your drawing/painting skills. Either way, Art Intro is for you!  In this course you will cover the basics with step by step instruction, understand the importance of observing and studying, drafting and revising, while exploring a variety of art materials.  End result, students will understand how to create the illusion of three-dimensional imagery through shading, color and perspective.  This is the prerequisite course for Studio I. 

Ceramics I (6506)                                                                        

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  9-12         A Level     

Come explore the world of clay in Ceramics I! This is an introductory class which goes over the basics of working with clay and glaze, handbuilding techniques and how to use the potters wheel. Some of the projects  created will include tiles, slab boxes, teapots and functional objects such as bowls and cups. Whether you are new to clay or have been to Claytime, Ceramics I will get you feeling confident about making and glazing clay objects. A materials fee of $15.00 is assessed.

Ceramics II (6528T)                                

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester   Grades: 9-12          A Level

Prerequisite: Ceramics I *Teacher signature required

Ceramics II builds on the knowledge you gain in Ceramics I, improves your clay skills and pushes the boundaries with your ideas. Some of the projects include both wheel thrown and handbuilt components, creating sculptures from clay forms made on the wheel and working on expanding your glazing and design skills. If you like Ceramics II & Sculpture why not try Ceramics III where you can spend more time on independent work.  

Ceramics III (6529)                            

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades: 10-12                    A Level

Prerequisite: Ceramics II  *Teacher signature required

Did Ceramics I and II inspire you to want more clay? In Ceramics III we explore creating large handbuilt ceramic sculptures and expand our wheel working skills. Students work independently researching and developing their projects, drafting ideas and creating mock-up designs. Attention to detail and pushing your limits will be required. 

Creative Sketchbooks (6518T)                                                      

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective Semester    Grades:  9-12         A Level                             

Do you like to doodle, journal, and draw? Do you want to explore new materials?  Then this is a class for you!  This class is a mix of abstract and realistic projects done in a sketchbook, using all kinds of materials, such as drawing, painting, and collaging.  Projects will be quicker and more experimental however, students will still learn the foundational drawing techniques and understand the importance of observation.  While most projects stay within the sketchbook, some projects may expand beyond. This is the prerequisite course for Studio I.  

Darkroom Photography II  (6535)                                                                 

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,3,4,6,7,8,9

Elective                  Semester  Grades:  10-12    A Level    

Prerequisite: Traditional & Digital Photography  *Teacher signature required  

Do you love to take photos and want to learn even more about film photography? This class will expand on your use of the 35mm film camera.  Students will be using the darkroom to create traditional black and white prints and will be experimenting with a variety of techniques to enhance images. Students will shoot a variety of subjects including portraits, landscapes, still life, candids, close-ups and will work towards developing a cohesive body of work in their own distinct style. Students will continue to learn about composition and the history of photography.  

Digital Art & Design (6504T)

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  9-12         A Level

Do you love technology?  Would you like to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop and get your art requirement at the same time? No need for any prior drawing experience.  This is an art course that uses technology as a medium.  Students learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop while learning artistic concepts.  Students in Digital Art & Design learn about famous artists, art techniques, as well as basic layout and design.  Some of the lessons are modeled after artists like Andy Warhol, Picasso or Ben Heine.  Adobe Photoshop does more than manipulate photos, it is also a program with drawing, painting and typographic capabilities.

Foundations of Art (6534)

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  10-12         A Level

Do you enjoy exploring a wide variety of art materials and techniques? This course would be open to students in grades 10 through 12 meeting every day while working collaboratively with their peers twice a cycle. This course is designed for students who enjoy the process of creating art, exploring basic art concepts and techniques while incorporating some speciality art projects such as weaving, clay, collage, etc.  Students will gain valuable experiences while working in a diverse setting that fosters leadership & teamwork in an inclusive environment.

Mixed Media (6524)

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  9-12         A Level

Do you feel intimidated when it comes to a traditional art class? Do you want to try working more experimentally?  Take risks, try new techniques and embrace the happy accidents!  In Mixed Media you will use traditional drawing, painting and printmaking materials in combination with collage & assemblage methods, allowing you to experiment & explore the process of creating a finished piece.  

Sculpture & Installation (6533)                                    

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grade:  9-12              A Level

Do you like working with your hands and using tools? Do you like art that doesn’t just hang on the wall? Sculpture and installation will explore a variety of mediums including plaster, wire, wood, cardboard and found objects. We explore relief sculpture, free standing work, planning out installations and how to display works. Students will work independently and collaboratively with peers to produce work.

Studio I (6511T)                                                                              

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  9-12                   A Level     

Prerequisite:  Art Intro or Creative Sketchbooks  *Teacher signature required

Are you looking to delve a little deeper with materials and techniques?  Are you looking to start building a portfolio?  Studio I is the course for that!  During the semester, students will continue to build on concepts and skills, while being challenged to think more independently and creatively. 

Studio II: Honors (6516)                                    

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Full Year    Grades:  11-12                   Honors

Prerequisite:  Studio I *Teacher signature required

Looking to build a portfolio?  Studio II is where you want to be.  This class explores a variety of media and subject matter in drawing and painting that will be looked for when applying to college. Artists will create works that are both guided and open-ended, showing one’s individual style, creativity and self-expression. 

Advanced Placement Art/Drawing (6514T)                                    

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

Elective                  Full Year    Grade:  12              Advanced Placement

Prerequisite:  Studio II and portfolio assessment by faculty and director.  Summer assignments required. *Teacher signature required.

This class is for the serious art student who can work independently with some guidance from the instructor to refine and apply skills and ideas to produce high quality art.  The AP portfolio will contain 15 pieces of art that demonstrate investigation, experimentation and revision.  Students will also submit typed responses to prompts, providing information about the process for which they created their work. Students are to complete the summer work and keep up with the pace and deadlines of the course to successfully complete the AP Drawing Exam in May.  

A materials fee may be applied for portfolio preparation.

Traditional & Digital Photography (6507TT)                                                                      

Meets Expectations for Student Learning: 1,3,4,6,7,8,9

Elective                  Semester    Grades:  10-12                   A Level     

Do you love to take photos and want to learn more about photography? This class covers the ins and outs of using both digital and 35mm film cameras. Students will be using a darkroom to print traditional black and white prints as well as learning Adobe Photoshop to manipulate and enhance their photos. This course is co-taught with two art teachers. Each student will be spending an equal amount of time in the darkroom and the computer lab. Students shoot a variety of subjects including portraits, landscapes, still life, candids, close-ups and experiment with their film negatives and computer files to create captivating images. We learn about composition, using a tripod and the history of photography.