A Year in CFA III

Henrico High School/Center for the Arts Art III Syllabus Dowdy 2015-2016

Welcome to CFA Visual Art III….. 

Course Description:  (What is the purpose of this class?)Visual Arts III is designed to reinforce concepts learned in visual Arts I and II. You will be introduced to more advanced techniques and concepts, while expanding your creativity,

self-expression and craftsmanship. Workshops will be offered on a variety of techniques by visiting area artists. By encouraging your self-confidence, creative resolutions, independent thinking and disciplinary skills, level III will prepare you for level IV, independent study, and

art school beyond it, should you desire to go. 

Course Objectives:  (What will our primary goals be?)…….You will…… Explore and experiment with a variety of media and techniques in the studio including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media and computer graphics with an

emphasis on risk-taking and thinking outside the normal confines of the media.Examine the history of art from multiple viewpoints, considering art from the feminine,

minority, and Non-western perspective, with an emphasis on 20th century and contemporary art.

Be introduced to a wide range of visiting artists from the area.Continue developing a portfolio by focusing on areas that are weak while producing a more

extensive body of work in the areas that are strong.Continue using and improving visual language vocabulary used in evaluating and critiquing your own work and that of other artists’ as well as the art of contemporary commercial and

visual culture. You will maintain a research workbook that corresponds to your portfolio and critique

experiences. 

Year at a glance: •Semester 1: • •September: Powerful Portraiture: The Identity Project: Large portfolio projects in black and white: Influenced by summer reading/self-portrait contours involving Research and Development: Focus on art with meaning…you as artist via research and personal entries, personal markmaking development AND Home Project: The Box Project• •October: Revisiting Drawing Bootcamp: Observational Drawing/(Identity Project Completion) Color Media and the Empowerment Project…NEW YORK CITY!• •November: Color Media continued: (Empowerment Project Completion) Figure Drawing from Live Model and oil paint• •December:Painting Completion/Home Project Due: The White Project/SCHOLASTICS OPTION• •January: Cartooning as Illustration and Installation with guest artist Kirk O-Brien/Midterms• •Semester 2: • •February: Mixed Media/Printmaking and Iconography Project/Wedding Cake Home Project • •March-June: Visiting Artist Workshops: Intro to new media/advanced techniques and Independent Study: in-class/Home Projects SPRING SHOWCASE IN APRIL!!!!

Tools for success in developing an independent portfolio by next year• Dowdy Website/Schoology/Student Websites• Research Workbook• Open Studio• College research and college talks/portfolio Day at

VCU: October 29th• In-class development of skills • In-class work on artist statements• Visiting artists and getting out into the community

The Grading Basics:• Each interim period-RWB comes in for a grade: subject to late policy• Each week, students receive grades on being on task and using time and materials

well• Each week, students receive grades on completing weekly homework

assignments…• During the nine weeks, students receive grades on various projects: home projects

and in-class projects: subject to late policy• Each nine weeks, students have at least 2 tests on vocabulary and technique…• Each nine weeks, students must visit a gallery and write a short 4 paragraph

critique on a work of art they see there. They must have proof in the form of a gallery card or a signed museum brochure or business card that they were in attendance during that nine weeks

• Each nine weeks, students must involve themselves in 3 hours of community service in the arts –on or off campus that is not connected with service to another organization. The must turn in a signed form documenting their involvement

• Once during the year, students give a presentation on an artist of interest to them who pushes the limits of art and art patronage in our society today. They pick a Friday and lead a class discussion on the artist and topic

Grading Scale:  (How will your efforts and performance be assessed?) 

Projects-40%Each nine weeks there will be an assignment of 2 to 5 projects, including 1 or 2 homeprojects (the amount will be determined by the length of time it takes to complete each project) The projects will have specific guidelines and criteria that will be evaluated for the final grade. All projects turned in late will be graded down 

10 points each day.Workbooks-25%

Each student is required to keep a workbook. The workbook will be checked for a grade at the interim and the end of the grading period. A minimum of 20 pages 

should be completed each 9 week period. The workbook should contain comprehensive sketches, warm-ups, plans for home and class projects, skill 

development, self-assessment, artist research, reflections and progress critiques. It is a daily requirement to have a workbook in class everyday. A total of ten points will be deducted from the weekly grade for each day the workbook is not in class 

Tests-20%Each project will be accompanied by an art history/visual culture unit that will 

either be evaluated with a quiz or a test based on vocabulary, image identification, and critical observation

Gallery visit/Community service-10%All students are required to visit a gallery or museum once each semester and write a critique on the work of one artist. All students must participate in  a minimum of 3 hours each semester of community service in an art related venue as well. One 

will be counted one nine weeks and one the other nine weeks.Weekly Grade-10%

This grade is based on preparation for class, work habits in class, clean-up and class participation (including bringing workbook to class everyday and immediate 

participation in daily warm-ups)

CFA Level III Late Policy•  Projects, Workbooks, Gallery Critiques and Community Service Forms 

– All materials should be turned into designated areas on the assigned due date.– If the student fails to turn the work in on time they may turn the materials in

the next day the class meets for a loss of 10 points.– After the 10 point grace period the work can be handed in the next class day

for a starting grade of 50%. – The workbook will not be accepted after the third day and will be marked as a

zero.– If the student has an unplanned absence on the scheduled due date they must

present an excused absence slip in order receive full credit. If the student is absent for an extended period of time a doctor’s note may be requested.

– Any late work must be handed in directly to Ms. Dowdy. • Project extensions available upon request at least one date before due

date

PLEASE USE SCHOOLSPACE AND YOUR OWN AGENDA BOOK TO KEEP YOURSELF ON TRACK TO TURN IN YOUR WORK BY THE DUE DATE!!!!

Dowdy’s Website & Schoology as a Tool

• Syllabus for reference (Schoology)• Calendar feature: daily information –if you are

absent… (Schoology)• Rubrics Online (Schoology and website) • 24/7 access to due dates and homework (Schoology)• College/Community Service/Event/Extra Credit/Gallery

Information (Schoology and website) • All projects are linked as well as ppts and websites

used in class (Schoology and website)• Remember to check powerschool for grades! I try to

export on TUESDAYS by 5:30pm

CFA SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR: Important dates to remember:

And be sure you are getting CFA newsletter! slpoxon@henrico.k12.va.us

September 19th: BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT! Fall Showcase: MANDATORY to attend one night:November 18th & 19th 5:00-7:00 Visual Arts Showcase(followed by Performing Art Showcase-not mandatory)  January 24th-27th: MIDTERM EXAMS  April 22nd: SPRING SHOWCASE IN THE JEFF HALL GALLERY! REQUIRED ATTENDANCE FOR ALL OF MRS D’s CFA STUDENTS 5:00-7pm ONE NIGHT ONLY!...but all day Saturday is the Henrico County Arts Festival on our campus!

May 26th: Visual Arts Senior Showcase at Fourth Fridays downtown at Artworks Gallery MANDATORY!!! June 3rd: FCFA Honors picnic for CFA students and their families:Buy your gear wear now!!!!!!        

Studio 2 Hours and Guidelines:Open Studio Schedule/Tutoring Buses!

• MONDAYS:• OPEN STUDIO 8:35-8:55am*• (Students arriving before 8:30am can go to the cafeteria until the studio opens. You can stay there until 8:35 to sit and socialize or you can come to 

class to work quietly)• 4:00-5:00: STUDIO OPEN by appmt only•  • TUESDAYS:• OPEN STUDIO 8:35-8:55am*• 3:55-5:00: OPEN STUDIO SESSION WITH Ms DOWDY IN ST 2 -see schedule for art club meetings•  • WEDNESDAYS:• OPEN STUDIO 8:35-8:55am* the 2nd Wed of the month(CFA teacher meeting until the bell-please report to cafeteria until the first bell rings)• STUDIO CLOSED AFTER SCHOOL•  • THURSDAYS:• OPEN STUDIO 8:35-8:55*• STUDIO CLOSED AFTER SCHOOL/see schedule for Art Club Meetings•  • FRIDAYS:• OPEN STUDIO 8:35-8:55*• STUDIO BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DURING SPECIAL TIME: HOMECOMING/SHOWCASES•  • *Students are expected to follow morning open studio guidelines to be able to participate in these sessions. The guidelines are posted in the room and 

students unable to follow them will be asked to leave to go to the cafeteria until the first block of the day begins.• **This schedule is subject to change-all changes will be posted online and on the classroom door throughout the year.•