Visual Arts

Lower School

Art classes for all students in the Lower School take place weekly in one of our well-equipped art classrooms.  Students are instructed in drawing, painting, clay work, and other methods and media.  They are encouraged to create works of beauty and individuality.  The works of great artists, known and unknown, from many parts of the world, both ancient and modern are introduced and studied.

Middle School

Sixth grade art class begins with the classical art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome.  The influence of “classical” art is then compared and contrasted during the study of other major periods of Western art that followed.

Seventh grade art begins exactly where the sixth grade art class concludes: the second half of the 19th Century.  The four main units of this class cover some of the most popular periods and artists of the modern era beginning with the Impressionists and concluding with the painters of American Realism.

The 20th Century is the primary focus of eighth grade art.  This class begins with the study of architecture from the Industrial Revolution to the modern International Style that defined the 20th Century.  The second unit focuses on the major artists and works of 20th Century sculpture.  This is followed by an examination of modern painting since World War II.

Upper School

In the Upper School Studio Art emphasizes sound drawing techniques in order to develop ideas in all areas of the visual arts. Students apply the principles of art to a variety of projects in an environment where tradition enlightens creativity. There are four levels of studio art that run the full year.

Studio Art I- This course emphasizes the fundamentals of drawing as the basics of art. These fundamentals include perspective, proportion, shape and value. Students will be introduced to color through simple painting projects. Over the course of the year various materials will be used including pencil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. In addition, an introduction to three-dimensional media is given via a clay project. Weekly drawing assignments and copies from the Old Masters are also given. Requirements outside the classroom include sketchbook homework assignments and an art history project each semester. (Grades 9-12)

Studio Art II- Building on the fundamentals learned in Studio Art I, students explore the Principles of Art with greater depth and refinement, working on more extended projects in drawing media, watercolor, acrylic painting, relief printing, and clay – including wheel-throwing. Requirements outside of the classroom include periodic sketchbook and art history assignments. (Grades 10-12.  Prerequisite: Studio Art I.)

Studio Art III- Students continue exploring the Principles of Art through in-depth explorations of two and three-dimensional media, including drawing, oil painting, mixed media, and clay.  The printmaking unit includes an introduction to  etching and intaglio.  Requirements outside of the classroom include periodic sketchbook and art history assignments.  (Grades 11-12.  Prerequisite: Studio II.)

Studio Art IV- This advanced class has a flexible curriculum of projects intended enhance a student’s senior portfolio. The openness of the assignments allow the students a more in-depth exploration of a particular field of the visual arts including architecture, painting, graphic design, printmaking, and clay.  Requirements outside of the classroom include periodic sketchbook and art history assignments.  (Grade 12.  Prerequisite: Studio Art III.)

Other Visual Arts Electives

Photography I- Students in Photography learn the artistic and mechanical fundamentals of photography.  Working with their own digital cameras, students learn and apply skills using cutting-edge technologies and professional imaging applications.  The students’ work may be used in school publications, projects, and their own exciting portfolios.  No prior experience with photography is needed.  Open to grades 10, 11 and 12.  Note: Each student will need a digital camera for this class.  (Grades 10-12.)

Photography II- Students continue their exploration of digital media. Projects are more in-depth in theory, design, and technology, as well as in uses of imaging applications.  Photography II also includes exploration of graphic arts types of designs, discussions of photography as a profession, and concludes with a portfolio. Each student will need a digital cameras for this class.   (Grades 11-12.  Prerequisite: C or higher in Photography I.)

Publications- Students in Publications learn and apply digital photography, layout and design to produce Providence Academy’s Pre-K-12 yearbook.  Students work with such responsibilities as editor-in-chief, photographer, graphic designer, journalist, and others. Publications students may also design other promotional materials for the school such as flyers, brochures and posters. Once all yearbook deadlines are met, an introduction to website design and work on Providence Academy’s Arts & Literature magazine are also possibilities. In addition to the above, bi-weekly assignments are given to enhance the student’s knowledge of Photoshop and In Design. (Grades 10-12.)

3D Art I: Modeling- This online course will provide and introduction to 3D modeling tools and concepts. Using Blender, the popular open-source 3D modeling package, students will learn the basics of creating shapes, adding textures and lighting, and rendering. By the end of the course, students will have produced a series of increasingly sophisticated projects for their 3D portfolio. This course is suitable for students with no prior experience with 3D game design or digital media authoring tools. Estimated Completion Time: 90 hours/18-20 weeks.  Students Materials/System Requirements: PC or Mac with 1GB of RAM, Blender.  A link to the free installation files is included within the course. (Online course, Grades 11-12)

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