Studio Arts
The Studio Art Dept Studies include traditional visual mediums: drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media. These fine art mediums allow students to express themselves in deeply creative ways, while also breaking down, understanding, and applying artistic concepts such as color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value in sophisticated ways. Studio artists will learn through a lense of culturally informed art history, contemporary practices, portfolio development, and implement professional practices within the art career field.
Students begin their studies with a foundations course that is designed to introduce the basics of a studio art class including safety, classroom procedures, vocabulary, the principles & elements of art & design, introductory use of 2D & 3D materials and tools as well as begin the conversation of the historical/ cultural context of art. Upon completion of the course they advance on to upper level courses that continually expand upon and challenge students’ understanding of specific mediums as well as the function of art and the role of an artist in contemporary society.
Ultimately Studio Art students in good standing academically enter senior year and can take advanced courses in mediums that especially interest them. These courses set ambitious goals for students and are partially student directed. This approach allows them to delve deeper into concepts, media, artists and functions of their work that is of particular importance to them. Portfolio and career readiness are emphasized as are contemporary art and industry practices.
What to Expect
Learning Objectives:
– Still life & figure drawing
– Ceramics (hand building at least)
– Painting in watercolor, acrylic & oils
– At least one digital course
– Sculpture in wire and cardboard
– Multi State Relief Printmaking
Artistic Expectations:
– Writing and artist statements
– Assemble a portfolio
– Hang work for exhibition
– Host & Participate in a visiting artist talk.
Studio Art students are held to a standard of excellence in regard to their work and practices. Communication is paramount, students are expected to discuss their work, intentions and choices as well as engage in conversation and discourse about their peers’ work. Exhibition and public events are a focal part of the department. Contribution and participation is expected but also a privilege that can be revoked.
Audition/ Portfolio requirements:
Students are expected to show an interest in the visual arts. They should compile a portfolio of work that showcases their interests, skills in drawing and are encouraged to show to the best of their ability an understanding of the principles and elements of art and design in a variety of media. Portfolio reviews will include reviewing work and conversations about students intentions, interests and methods of making art. They are encouraged to come with questions about the program and school.
Opportunities/Events:
Regular Exhibition space around the WAA facilities Fall Coffee Shop
Spring Lemonade Stand
Art Festival
Outside organization Open calls and Exhibitions
Clubs/ Service Organizations:
National Art Honors Society
Past Awards:
2x Silver Key Award Winner – Scholastic Art And Writing Awards
https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/recognition/
Past Masterclasses:
Visiting Artist Series Featuring 20+ artists who spoke with Students
Studio Visit Series – Juniors & Seniors visited Gingerly Press printmaking studio in Lawrenceville
Courses
Year 1
Studio Arts – Foundations
Studio Arts Orientation
Principles and Elements of Design
World Cultures Arts & Crafts
Studio Arts Level 1 is the baseline (foundations) of the program and will establish students’ understandings needed for the rest of their time at WAA in Studio & Digital Art. This course is designed to introduce the basics of a studio art class including safety, classroom procedures, vocabulary, the principles & elements of art & design, introductory use of 2D & 3D materials and tools as well as begin the conversation of the historical/ cultural context of art. At the end of the year students should submit a portfolio for consideration to be accepted into Foundations 2 for either Digital or Studio Art. Students who do not meet the expectations are placed in a Visual Communications or General Arts Track. Includes elements from the former courses: Studio Arts Orientation; Principles and Elements of Design; and World Cultures Arts & Crafts.
Year 2
Studio Arts Level 1 – 4 quarterly Level I courses:
Drawing I
Sculpture I
Printmaking I
Painting I
Studio Arts Level 2 will build upon students baseline skills from SA Foundations 1. In focused semesters, students will touch on drawing (perceptive, line weight, value), painting (water based media, color theory, texture), printmaking (relief, monotype, and collograph) and sculpture (mass/ volume, relief, sculpture in the round)specifically. Students will be expected to support their work through conversation, presentation and written supports. Studio Arts Level 2 encompasses elements previously taught as: Drawing I; Painting I; Sculpture I; and Printmaking I.
Year 3
Studio Arts Level 2 – 4 quarterly courses:
Drawing II
Sculpture II
Printmaking II
Painting II
Studio Art Level 3 – This course will build upon students skills from Studio Arts Levels 1 & 2. In focused semesters, students will touch on drawing (figure drawing, 3 point perspective, foreshortening), painting (oil & water based media, specific explorations or easter & western art history), printmaking (relief, intaglio, screen printing) and sculpture (installation, modeling, kinetic sculptures) specifically. Students will be expected to support their work through conversation, presentation and written supports. Studio Arts Level 3 encompasses elements previously taught as: Drawing II; Painting II; Sculpture II; and Printmaking II.
Year 4 – Choice of Electives
Advanced Ceramics – For Studio Arts Majors only
This course will enable students to further explore ceramics specifically as previously studied in sculpture courses. Coil slab and thrown building techniques will be expanded upon as will glazing methodologies and surface treatments. Sculpture 1 & 2 are prerequisites for this course.
Advanced Drawing – For Studio Arts Majors only
This course will focus on dry media and conversations about the conventions and definition of drawing. Students will be challenged to work on large scale work and ambitious works with an emphasis on the student finding and defining their personal interests, artistic style and supportive writing and research.
Advanced Painting – For Studio Arts Majors only
Advanced Painting will focus on wet media (acrylic, watercolor & oils) and conversations about the conventions and definition of drawing. Students will be challenged to work on large scale and ambitious works with an emphasis on the student finding and defining their personal interests, artistic style, and supportive writing and research.
Advanced Printmaking – For Studio Arts Majors only
Advanced Printmaking will focus on expanding students’ understanding of print media of all kinds and stress experimentation, large scale work and an emphasis on the student finding and defining their personal interests, artistic style, and supportive writing and research.
Advanced Sculpture – For Studio Arts Majors only
Advanced Sculpture will expand upon previous sculpture courses and focus on students personal artistic practice in relation to new challenging material. Projects will consider scale, material, form, function, and history. Students will be challenged to work on ambitious works in materials they have experience with as well as be introduced to media. There will be an emphasis on the student finding and defining their personal interests, artistic style, and supportive writing and research.
Studio Arts – Electives for All Students:
AP Art History – Open to All Majors
This elective course is open to all students. (1 credit). This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Arts History Exam. Students will cover the 250 required works for the exam beginning with prehistory and ending with contemporary works dating from 1980 to today. Students who take this course should be interested in attending Art School or in placing out of entry-level Art History courses at the university level.
Art History & Critique – Open to All Majors
This is a survey course that will examine the history of human making from prehistory until today in relation to the environment and culture, through primarily a prehistoric, ancient and non- western context. We will use the lens of objects, maker, and art to better understand ourselves and our contemporary communities.
Art Appreciation – Mixed Media – Open to All Majors
This course is designed to introduce alternative media to students interested in studio art. The principles & elements of art & design will be the baseline for this course. 2D & 3D materials will be used and there will be an emphasis on the student finding exploring personal interests & artistic style.
Student Work Showcase
