A student may elect a five-unit art sequence in place of the three-unit foreign language sequence. In addition, a student must satisfactorily complete one or more of the following: portfolio, comprehensive art exam and/or major project.

Introduction to Studio in Art

Prerequisite: None
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of course: ½ Year
Grade level: 9-12
Type of Exam: Local

This course fulfills 1/2 year of the high school "arts" requirements. It offers "hands-on" art experience that the average student can have success with. This course provides studio experiences in drawing, creative lettering, ceramics, mola designs in cut paper, book making and illustration, and mirror etching and plaster carving of gargoyle images in relief. Each project emphasizes the use of the elements and principles of art. Along with studio experiences, the student will read art magazines and view slides to increase their understanding of art. The goal of this course is to develop good work habits, responsibility and pride in accomplishments.

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Studio in Art

Prerequisite: To complete 8th grade art with a grade of 70 or above
Credit: 1 unit
Length of course: Full year
Grade level: 9-12
Type of Exam: Local

This course is for students who have shown interest in art and would like to learn to draw. Studio in Art is the foundation course upon which other more advanced electives are based. The class is designed to provide experiences in a variety of media, and understanding of the creative process. Various projects include creative lettering, still life drawing, portraiture, book illustration, ceramic vessels, mirror etching etc. Concepts covered include the elements and principles of art, drawing and observational skills, color theory, painting techniques and multicultural art. The course also teaches art appreciation through readings, writing and self-evaluations, slide shows and videos. Students will also have homework such as sketchbook assignments.

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Drawing & Painting

Prerequisite: Full year of Studio in Art
Credit: 1 unit
Length of Course: Full year
Grade level: 10-12
Type of Exam: Local

Drawing and Painting is recommended for students pursuing art after completion of a full year of Studio in Art. Experiences in this course are aimed at challenging a student’s ability as well as encouraging a personal approach. A variety of media will be used to explore the figure, still life, portraiture, landscaping and interiors. Emphasis will be on developing observational drawing and painting. There will be in-depth color exploration. Students will study major works of artists and art movements. Class and self-critiques will assist students in forming value judgments about art. Students will have sketchbook assignments and journal.

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Drawing & Painting II

Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of course: ½ Year
Grade level: 10-12
Type of Exam: Local

This course is an advanced elective concentrating on materials and techniques in drawing and painting. The course will focus on drawing from life, figure drawing, portraiture, etc. There will be sketchbook assignments to further explore observational drawing, creativity and self-expression. Students will work on developing a portfolio to meet college requirements.

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Graphic Design

Prerequisite: Full year of Studio in Art
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of course: ½ Year
Grade level: 10 – 12
Type of Exam: Local

This course is designed to help students develop a knowledge and understanding of the skills used in the world of advertising design. Students will learn creative problem solving for visual communication. For class assignments, students will create a divider page for the school yearbook, a magazine layout, a logo, package and poster design. There will be a focus on typography and illustration. The history of graphic design styles will be covered, as well as careers in the field of advertising design.

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Desktop Publishing

Prerequisite: Graphic Design
Credit: 1 Unit
Length of Course: 1 Year
Grade Level: 11-12
Type of Exam: Local Exam

The purpose of this year-long class is to learn about the publishing business through the publication of the yearbook. Units in graphic design, layout, typography, computer graphics, photography and legal issues are presented. Outside work is expected.

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Studio in Sculpture

Prerequisite: Full year of Studio in Art
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of Course: ½ Year
Grade Level: 10-12
Type of Exam: Local

Studio in Sculpture provides opportunities for self-expression in three dimensional design in a variety of media techniques, such as modeling the human figure or life-size heads in clay, mask making, carving, abstract and nonobjective forms in plaster, constructing environments that represent dreams, repelling or inviting interiors in paper, wood, plastic and found objects, and wood relief sculptures. The course offers both aesthetic and technical experiences so that the student will be able to understand and appreciate this art form, acquire dexterity, sensitivity and mastery of technique to control the media, and learn to express him- or herself in resistant or plastic media. Each unit will focus on a famous sculptor and his or her influence on the history of sculpture.

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Photography I

Prerequisite: ½ Year Art
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of Course: ½ Year
Grade Level: 11th or 12th
Type of Exam: Local

This course teaches the fundamentals of black and white photography. Instruction begins with readings, lecture and discussion of the aesthetics of photography, moves through a brief history to the science and art of making photos with the camera and in the darkroom. Hand coloring prints and papermaking can be explored. Students are expected to finish class projects and an independent project, which is weighed with a written and practical final exam.

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Photography II

Prerequisite: Photo I with a complete grade of 90 or above
Credit: ½ Unit
Length of Course: ½ Year
Grade level: 11th or 12th
Type of Exam: Local

This course builds on and goes beyond Photo I. Units included are technology & photography, color slide work, building a portfolio and publishing photographs in the business world and on the Web, and designing t-shirts.

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Applied Art

Credit: Determined by Art Department
Length of Course: Full year
Grade Level: 9-12

Students studying Art previously outside of school time may earn credits toward the Local or Regents diploma. This course requires that each student take a final exam or assessment as arranged by the Art Department. All applicants must register with the Art Department during the first month of the school year. The possibility of college credit exists with the recommendation of the teacher and approval by the Principal.

The Fine Arts Division at Sage J.C.A. offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit from Sage J.C.A. for "Fundamentals of Drawing I" in their high school classroom. Students who complete all course work required will receive a college grade report and a permanent transcript of their grade at Sage J.C.A. The cost to the student is a $75 registration fee. There is a limit of three students (per high school).

Students need to put in extensive time at home on assignments and can also work in class with the teacher's guidance, if their schedules permit.

They will attend a six-hour studio class at Sage J.C.A. where they will work with an instructor and college students. They will also go to Sage J.C.A. for a midterm and final critique to evaluate their work.

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