Visual Arts

Over two years:
What do we need to learn to use the art studio and materials in a safe manner? How can we investigate and learn the differences and similarities between various materials and processes? 

Topics of Study:
Painting • Mixing colors • Gluing • Texture • Sculpture • Collage • Printing • Murals

Skills We Teach:
Introduction and exploration of materials: paint, glue, clay, paper, and scissors • Recognizing and using shapes, forms, and colors • Using materials safely and moving safely in the studio • Following directions and creating multi-step projects • Using and understanding what materials can do • Learning painting procedures • Printing • Exploring connecting tools like tape, staplers and glue

How do materials and methods shape the artistic process? How do we make our own aesthetic choices?

Topics of Study:
Self-portrait • Color • Shape • Texture • Form • Collage • Murals • Painting • Drawing • Sculpture • Clay • Sketchbooks

Skills We Teach:
Mixing and handling paints • Working with scissors, glue, tape, and staplers • Mixing media • Developing a sense of time in working on longer projects • Developing well-balanced structures • Shaping and handling clay • Developing fine motor and listening skills • Learning to use the choice area • Learning appropriate studio behavior • Working collaboratively with peers • Visual thinking strategies

How can we add depth to our work? How can we learn from one another in the art studio?

Topics of Study:
Self-concept and community building • Mark-making • Pattern • Color • Composition • Drawing • Printing • Cray-Pas • Tempera and watercolor paint • Sculpture • Clay • Sketchbooks

Skills We Teach:
Making aesthetic choices • Developing designs and adding detail to compositions • Sharing ideas and learning from one another • Working independently • Color mixing and theory • Drawing techniques • Identifying lines and shapes • Building strong and balanced structures • Using unexpected materials • Handling and shaping clay • Developing listening skills • Learning appropriate studio behavior • Visual thinking strategies

How can we use art as a means for understanding ourselves and the world around us?

Topics of Study:
Free and observational drawing • Japanese brush painting • Map making • Self-portraits • Sculpture • Sketchbooks 

Skills We Teach:
Developing designs and drawings • Working independently, • Making observations • Exploring color mixing • Drawing • Sculpting with clay • Visual thinking strategies

How can I use art as a means for expressing my thoughts and ideas?

Topics of Study:
Free and observational drawing • Painting and color mixing • Sculpture • Ceramics • Sketchbooks

Skills We Teach:
Expressing creativity through original drawings and designs • Making observations • Understanding color mixing and color theory • Making lines of different varieties • Printmaking • Sculpting • Visual thinking strategies

How can we use art as a tool and a means to communicate?

Topics of Study:
Painting and color mixing • cardboard and found object sculpture • Observational and imaginative drawing • Watercolor painting • Collage 

Skills We teach:
Drawing: line, shape, and dark and light value • Drawing objects from nature and imagination • Painting: watercolor, tempura • Mixing and blending color • Multi-dimensional artwork

How are the arts used as a tool and a means to communicate?

Topics of Study:
Observational and imaginative drawing • Mezoamerican art • Mayan designs • Mask making • Shadow puppets • Cardboard and plaster as sculptural materials

Skills We Teach:
Observational and imaginative drawing • Creating and recognizing patterns • Sculpting with cardboard, plaster, and found objects • Sculpting with clay • Color mixing with tempera, watercolor, and acrylic paint • Exploring and investigating art materials

What do we notice about artwork from the past and what kind of connections can we make to create our own artwork?

Topics of Study:
Observational drawing • Hieroglyph stamp printing • Designs-based symbols • Introduction to Altered Books • Contemporary artist study

Skills We Teach:
Drawing and painting using value • Using shape and line in design • Using additive and subtractive building techniques with clay sculpture • Mixing colors • Looking for and using symbols in art

How do I see the world — what is my point of view?

Topics of Study:
Observational drawing • Point of view • Making and using a viewfinder • Learning to use a grid system to scale up artwork • Acrylic self-portrait painting • Altered books

Skills We Teach:
Elements of art • Arranging compositions to show a point of view • Painting techniques • Observational drawing • Altered books • Grade and scale

How do I want the world to see me?

Topics of Study:
Observational drawing • Focus and point of view • Painting • Altered books • Clay and assembled sculpture • Working as an artist: creating work that reflects personal concerns and interests

Skills We Teach:
Using the principles of design • Observational drawing • Multiple painting techniques, • Color and value • Building skills with a variety of media while creating both flat and 3-dimensional pieces of art