Grade 10 Visual Arts – AVI2O1

In this course students build on and extend foundational skills learned in Grade 9 Art. Grade 10 students explore a variety of new media such as colored pencils, pastels, acrylic paints, and silkscreen printing. Students will learn how to create optical illusions, distort reality, create realistic portraits and explore historical aspects of portraiture through several time periods. Design concepts and color theory are reviewed as students create monochromatic landscapes. The history of the Middle Ages and Art Nouveau inspire and guide the creation of your very own silkscreen T-shirt.

Grade 10 Graphic Design – AWS2O1

This hands-on course introduces students to Graphic Design. It is a project-based course where students learn about and explore art-related software to create a variety of artistic designs. Students will explore design theory and principles, learn about typography and the various categories of fonts, and learn to draw in perspective to achieve 3-D effects. The programs used are Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and you also work with digital cameras, scanners, and other media and technologies to create a variety of original designs. Students will learn to use the creative process to plan and execute art works with the opportunity to have their work published.

Grade 11 Visual Arts – AVI3M1

In this course, students further develop their skills and knowledge in visual arts. In studio, students will use the “creative process” to create a variety of artworks, as well as explore a range of activities in the disciplines of drawing, painting, and sculpture. They will be introduced to working in mixed media and oil painting, and learn about reverse shading techniques with charcoal and conte. Design concepts such as linear perspective and figure drawing are learned and applied to improve artworks and are enhanced through Art History. Major artists from the Renaissance to Baroque era such as Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Albrecht Durer, Vermeer and Rubens are studied to broaden student vocabulary and introduce them to both traditional and contemporary concepts, which influence their own studio work.

Grade 11 Digital Imaging – AWS3O1

In this course you will further explore design theory and learn to manipulate imagery and typography in a very expressive way. Students create designs that explore illustration and character development, as well as image manipulation and colorization techniques using Photoshop. You will also learn about desktop publishing programs such as InDesign and learn about career options in the field of design as you begin to prepare a portfolio. The concept of creating templates for three-dimensional package designs will be explored as well as book cover design, with the opportunity to publish your work.

Grade 11 Introductory Photography – AWQ3M1

Unlock the mystery of the photographic darkroom! In the classroom, students learn how to operate a manual 35mm SLR camera and produce their own black and white negatives. They also explore design concepts to improve the quality and composition of their own photographs with digital SLR camera, and study the history of the first permanent photograph in the early 1800’s. In the darkroom, students enlarge and manipulate their own black and white photographic prints, create contact sheets, and produce hand-colored creative masterpieces.

Grade 12 3-D Rendering - AWS4M1

In this course you will further explore the fundamentals of design theory from the Grade 10 Graphic Design and Grade 11 Digital Imaging. Students will create 3-D spaces using “Sketch-Up”, explore 3-D effects, design caricatures and profile Graphic Artists in the current industry. There will be the opportunity to display art in a professional venue and publish one of their created designs. At the end of this course students will have prepared a digital art portfolio in electronic format for post-secondary programs of their choice.

Grade 12 Visual Arts – AVI4M1

In this course students explore the creative process at an advanced level. Studio work will further develop students’ knowledge and technical skills in the discipline of drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Students will study the evolution of figure drawing through various time periods and participate in a “Figure Drawing” workshop. They will also explore new media and look to the artworks of Modern masters such as Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Munch, Dali, Pollock, Rothko, etc… to inspire their own artworks. Students will also develop their own artistic style and create two thematically linked artworks in a discipline of their choice. Pop culture and social issues are explored as themes in their own artworks, and the art history of 19th and 20th century modern art will allow them to gain insight into the evolution of artistic styles and genres. The process of preparing a portfolio for entrance into post-secondary programs will also be explored.

Grade 12 Advanced Photography – AWQ4M1

Grade 12 photography students extend basic camera operation and darkroom skills to focus on photographic communication through creative high quality image production. In the studio, students apply historic concepts to make their own pinhole cameras. Technically, students extend their working knowledge of exposure controls to support a multitude of expressive applications. They also explore a variety of lenses and learn about commercial lighting techniques to explore the amazing world of portrait photography. In the darkroom and digital lab, students experiment with creative manipulation techniques such as Calotype, Sabattier, Vignette and Selective Development to expressively enhance their imagery. The study of modern photographers informs student image production and enhances their skills in story telling.

Grade 11 Sculpture – AWP3O1(This course runs alternate years)

Using a variety of sculptural materials, students create works of art that function beautifully in everyday life such as decorative relief mirror frames, fused glass pendants, wearable textile art, paper lanterns and stained glass mosaic planter boxes. The creative process figures prominently in helping students design each project from the initial idea through to project completion. Basic design concepts and technical skills are acquired throughout the courses to give students the skills they need to be successful with each project and enhance student expression. Students will also explore sculptural forms from other cultures, which will provide inspiration for their own artwork.