Studio Arts

The Fine Arts curriculum is structured, in broad variety, from basic introduction through advanced understanding that develops with advancement over the student’s time at Bishop Guertin. The Fine Arts Department is structured to prepare students from new understanding to advanced investigation including portfolio preparation and/or performance preparation at the post-secondary level.

Studio Arts

This course fulfills the Fine Arts graduation requirement.

Foundations in Art I is a broad-spectrum approach to giving students creative experiences with various mediums and acquaints them with theory concepts including the elements of art and principles of design. Foundations in Art I is designed for the student with an informal interest in creating art and a more targeted interest in taking Art II or any of the more specific options in the arts curriculum (Pottery, Art History, Photography). An emphasis is placed on experiencing processes of art. Students interested in creating a portfolio in their junior year (with the possibility of taking Advanced Placement Studio Art senior year) or in their senior year are recommended to consider Art I Studio.

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This course fulfills the Fine Arts graduation requirement

Art I Studio is suggested for those students who may have an eager interest in art and are possibly interested in taking Art II Honors and eventually Portfolio Honors and/or AP Art. Students considering this course have had some exposure to creative processes in art as well as acquaintance with basic concepts supporting the elements of art and principles of design. Art I Studio is encouraged for those students who are considering the possibility of college art programs or who may be interested in the arts of architecture, photography, graphic design, fashion and/or interior design, multimedia arts, landscape architecture, museum curator/conservator, etc.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art I or Art I Studio

Art II further builds upon skills and concepts addressed in Foundations in Art I. Mediums not covered in Foundations in Art I are explored as well as continued exposure to the elements of art and principles of design. In Art II, an emphasis is placed on experiencing processes of art. Students interested in creating a portfolio in their junior year (with the possibility of taking Advanced Placement Studio Art senior year) or in their senior year are recommended to consider Art II Honors in their sophomore or junior year.

Prerequisite: Art I Studio and department chair approval, or Foundations in Art I, teacher recommendation, and department chair approval.

Art II Honors is a thorough skill-building course designed to prepare the student for Portfolio Honors in their junior year (with the possibility of taking Advanced Studio Art senior year). Students will be afforded select materials and diverse studio experiences in line with the skill necessary to create work with a higher expectation of finish and presentation. Emphasis is also placed on gaining a deeper understanding and working knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design. Art II Honors is strongly encouraged for those students who are considering the possibility of college art programs or art schools or who may be interested in the arts of architecture, photography, graphic design, fashion and/or interior design, multimedia arts, landscape architecture, museum curator/conservator, etc.

Prerequisite: Art I Studio and Art II Honors, and department chair approval or Foundations in Art I and Art II, and department chair approval

Art 3D Honors is a unique course designed to educate and practice artists with a focus on mediums suited to creating in three dimensions. Artists will gain experience with mediums to include but not limited to papier-mâché, plaster, clay, foam core, mat board, stone, and miscellaneous object assemblage.

Prerequisite: Art I Studio, Art II Honors, and department chair approval, or Art II, Art 3D Honors, and department chair approval

Portfolio Honors is a rigorous portfolio development class designed to give students the opportunity to create a body of work that may be used in applying to art schools or programs or as supplementary to the standard college application process. Documentation of portfolios for submission, as necessary, is also supported in this course. Emphasis in this course is placed on assembling a diversified and professional portfolio by creating work of guided/suggested subject matter in a range of mediums suggested by the student’s strengths, interests, and creativity. Work outside of the classroom is necessary to complete the requirements of the course. Note: Portfolio Honors 941 is the prerequisite to AP Studio Art. Seniors taking Portfolio Honors will be assigned the fall semester to provide for college application deadlines.

Prerequisite: Portfolio Honors, recommendation of Portfolio Honors teacher, and department chair approval

Advanced Placement Studio Art is an intense study in 2D design that follows a rigorous curriculum with specific requirements set forth by College Board. This course is only for those students most serious about their art and who are interested in being challenged to reach their next level artist in creating thought-provoking work with meaning, direction, and an identifiable style. Pre-course work is expected in the summer preceding the commencement of the class. It is also expected that AP Studio Art students will spend considerable time outside of the class period working on their required portfolios as designated by the College Board.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art I or Art I Studio or any music half credit

This course is an introduction to pottery making and clay sculpture. Various decorating techniques and glazing will be taught. Students will learn of the diversity of the Ceramic Arts as they study artists both past and present. They will learn how the pottery of other cultures has influenced the creation of contemporary ceramics.

Prerequisite: Pottery I

In this course students will develop the skills learned in Pottery I as they explore the creative possibilities of clay. The technical considerations of ceramics will be introduced as they learn more about glazes and firing methods. Students will continue to learn the history of ceramic arts in order to develop an appreciation for this art form.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art I or Art I Studio

This is an extensive course for students who are seriously interested in going beyond “point-and-click” to using all the manual features of the DSLR to produce professional-looking pictures. A great deal of time is spent taking pictures outside of class time and on weekends. Students must have their own digital DSLR camera, with removable lens, and camera manual.

Prerequisite: Art I  and prior/concurrent enrollment in Graphic Design or departmental approval

This course is designed to acquaint students with concepts in the art of graphic design from logo development and messaging to package/promotional art through concepts in digital painting and image manipulation/compositing. Students will use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop as the mediums in rendering creative solutions to different digital challenges.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art I or Art I Studio

This course will cover a history of visual art beginning with the cave paintings at Lascaux and moving through historical art movements to today’s current trends. The course concentrates on learning about visual expression and messaging in art through a combination of learning experiences including lecture review of historically significant artworks credited with being integral in the evolution and development of the common genre timeline as well as occasional hands-on experiences, common assessments, and homework.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art I or Art I Studio

AP Art History is a college-level course that explores major works of art and architecture from prehistory to the present, representing a wide range of global cultures and traditions. Through the study of the 250 required works identified by the College Board, students learn to analyze art using formal, contextual, and comparative methods while examining how art reflects and influences cultural, political, and religious developments. The course combines lecture, discussion, research, and writing to build strong visual analysis and critical thinking skills, preparing students for the AP Art History Exam and fostering an informed appreciation of global artistic heritage.