Art

All visual art courses strive to nurture innovative thinking, creativity, problem solving and to improve skills in communication. Courses teach forms of artistic expression through the four disciplines of the visual arts:

  • Art Production: Making art
  • Art Criticism: Describing, analyzing, interpreting and evaluating art
  • Art History: Understanding art in relationship to culture
  • Aesthetics: Recognizing important features of visual arts and responding to them

Students taking visual art classes have an opportunity for production experiences with a variety of art media. For those wishing to concentrate in a particular art medium, level two and three classes are offered. Level two courses are more in depth and level three courses are designed for students wishing to develop a college portfolio and/or pursue a career in the visual arts. All art courses on this page earn credit toward completing the art credit graduation requirement.

Course Listing

AP Art History (Tonka Online)

Course: #T6094F, part 1, Tonka Online
Course: #T6096W, part 2, Tonka Online
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 1.0 (year-long course)
 This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit      
*Online, complete part 1 before part 2.
Prerequisites: None

AP Art History allows students to examine major forms of artistic expression relevant to a variety of cultures in a wide variety of times periods.

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AP Studio Art

Course: #AP602, S1
Course: #AP603, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 1.0 (year-long course)
This course fulfills the Arts requirement. 
Prerequisites: Successful completion of two or more semesters of art; Drawing highly recommended

In AP Studio Art you create a portfolio to turn in for the AP Studio Art Exam. The portfolio will be Drawing, 2D or 3D.

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Ceramics I

Course: #6026   
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12 
Credits:
0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: None

Students will learn techniques for throwing on the wheel and hand building projects. Students will create functional artwork like mugs, vases, bowls, teapots, etc.

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Ceramics II

Course: #6028
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit     
Prerequisites: Ceramics I grade B- or better

Ceramics II students learn how to refine their wheel-throwing and hand building skills to create sets of mugs and bowls. Advanced ceramics techniques will be taught.

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Ceramics III

Course: #6030
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: Completion of Ceramics II with a B- or better 
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval

Ceramics III is for the highly motivated student who will complete personalized research to create a portfolio of work by the end of the course.

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Comics I

Course: #6034
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: None

In Comics I, students will learn about combining visual images, text, and culture through cartoon character development and comic creation.

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Comics II

Course: #6036  
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit      
Prerequisites: Completion of Comics I with a B- or better

In this class, students will explore more about cartoon and comic design as well as develop a personal style and aesthetic.

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Comics III

Course: #6038
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit       
Prerequisites: Completion of Comics II with a B- or better.
Course may be repeated with teacher approval.

Comics III is designed for the highly motivated student wishing to develop a college portfolio, submit work to competitions and exhibits, and/or pursue a career in the visual arts.

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Darkroom Photography I

Course: #6002
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12   
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: None

Students will be introduced to basics of darkroom photography through exploration of depth of field, stop action motion, landscape, portraiture and final portfolio.

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Darkroom Photography II

Course: #6004   
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit  
Prerequisites: Completion of Photo I with a B- or better

Students will continue exploration of darkroom photography through more focused skill and portfolio development.

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Darkroom Photography III

Course: #6006
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: Completion of Photo II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.

Students will continue exploration of darkroom photography through more focused skill, personal expression, and portfolio development.

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Digital Drawing I

Course: #6040   
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12 
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit   
Prerequisites: None

Using Photoshop and Wacom drawing tablets as our media students will master several types of drawings.  Students will gain confidence working in a digital platform.

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Digital Drawing II

Course: #6042
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit   
Prerequisites: Digital Drawing I grade B- or better

In Digital Drawing II, students will focus on more advanced digital drawing techniques, using a conceptual approach to their drawings utilizing the principles of design.

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Digital Drawing III

Course: #6044 
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit     
Prerequisites: Completion of Digital Drawing II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.

Digital Drawing III is for highly motivated students who will create a portfolio of work. Students will be creating personalized digital drawings based on their own research and interests.

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Digital Photography I

Course: #6052
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit       
Prerequisites: 
None

This course will introduce students to digital photography and digital manipulation in Adobe Photoshop as a means for self-expression in art.

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Digital Photography II

Course: #6054
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit        
Prerequisites: Completion of Digital Imaging I with a B- or better

Students will learn advanced Photography skills, techniques and theory to strengthen and expand knowledge.  Students will become aware of their personal working methods and style.

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Digital Photography II (Tonka Online)

Course: #T6054, Tonka Online 
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12 
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)  
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: Digital Photography I

Students will expand upon their basic knowledge of digital image-making concepts and techniques, allowing for in-depth exploration as they develop a personal vision in their artwork.

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Drawing I

Course: #6020
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12 
Credits:
0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit       
Prerequisites:
None

Drawing I will teach students basic drawing skills to create their own projects through different mediums and compositions. A good class to start creating a portfolio.

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Drawing II

Course: #6022
Online Option: #T6022
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: Drawing I grade B- or better

In Drawing II students will continue to grow, further honing their skills and techniques learned in Drawing I. Emphasis will be on research and composition.

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Drawing III

Course: #6024
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit     
Prerequisites:
Completion of Drawing II with a B- or better
Course may be repeated with teacher approval.

Drawing III is for highly motivated students looking to explore drawing deeper through personalized projects and to create a portfolio.

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Drawing (Tonka Online)

Course: #T6020, Tonka Online 
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12   
Credits:
0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: None

Tonka Online Drawing will teach students basic drawing skills to create their own projects through different mediums and compositions. Perfect for students needing flexibility.

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Graphic & Product Design

Course: #6032
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: None; Suggested Drawing I and II & Intro to Studio Art

Students will learn about graphic and product design using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Real-world application to learning emphasized.

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IB Visual Arts HL

HL Course: #IB602, S1 Year 1
HL Course: #IB603, S2 Year 1
HL Course: #IB604, S1 Year 2
HL Course: #IB605, S2 Year 2    
Grade(s) offered: 11-12
Credits: 2 credit course, .5 (per semester)
This course completes 2 Arts credits
Prerequisites:  None

Students learn to use several media to create a unique portfolio of work based on research while documenting their process.

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IB Visual Arts SL

SL Course: #IB600, S1 
SL Course: #IB601, S2
Grade(s) offered: 11-12
Credits: 1 credit course, .5 (per semester)
This course completes 1 Arts credit
Prerequisites: None

Students learn to use several media to create a unique portfolio of work based on research while documenting their process. 

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Introduction to Studio Art

Course: #6000
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit  
Prerequisites: Highly recommended as first art course

Intro to Studio Arts is an introduction to a variety of art experiences and includes experiences in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, and sculpture.

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Jewelry I

Course: #6014   
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: None

Jewelry 1 is an introduction to jewelry making. You will learn to cut, shape, solder, and polish metal to create rings and pendants.

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Jewelry II

Course: #6016  
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: Completion of Jewelry I with a B- or better    

In Jewelry II you will build on the skills learned in Jewelry I. Stone settings and advanced soldering are some of the projects in class.

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Jewelry III

Course: #6018  
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit   
Prerequisites:
Completion of Jewelry II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.

Jewelry III is for highly motivated students looking to explore jewelry deeper through personalized projects and to create a portfolio.

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metal

Course: #6444
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: None

This sculpture course will emphasize the artistic creation with the technical instruction using metal and other mediums.

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Metal Sculpture II

Course: #6445
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12 
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisites: Completion of Metal Sculpture I with a B- or better.

Course Description:  In this class, students will build upon what they have learned in Metal Sculpture I. Students will work on more advanced projects and refine their artistic design in a visual way. Students will be working in steel and other materials. Emphasis will be on refining their techniques, research and aesthetics. 

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Painting I

Course: #6008  
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: Drawing I strongly recommended

Students will be introduced to basics of painting through exploration of acrylics, watercolors, color theory, painting genres, and a variety of painting techniques.

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Painting II

Course: #6010 
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12  
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: Completion of Painting I with a B- or better

In Painting II more attention is placed on technical excellence and experimenting with different painting mediums. Students are assisted in developing more personalized paintings.

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Painting III

Course: #6012  
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit 
Prerequisites: Completion of Painting II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.

Painting III is for the highly motivated art student looking to produce a portfolio of work based on personalized research.

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Video Production I

Course: #6046
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12  
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course) 
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit       
Prerequisites: None

Students will learn writing, editing, and producing video projects. Projects range from commercials to short films. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and camera shots.

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Video Production II

Course: #6048
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit  
Prerequisites: Completion of Video Production I with a B- or better

Students will work on advanced video projects. Projects range from surreal to short films. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and finding individual style.

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Video Production III

Course: #6050  
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit     
Prerequisites: Completion of Video Production II with a B- or better
This course may be repeated for further study with teacher approval.

Students will produce professional video projects. Focus on Final Cut Pro X and finding an individual style. Students will build a digital portfolio.

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Art students painting in class