PRP Visual Art courses provide students who are interested in pursuing art in high school with a four year path to develop both technically and creatively. Our goals are to provide students with a mix of creative and technical experiences, to develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and to introduce a wide array of media, techniques and working styles. Art history and criticism are also important components to the program.
The Visual Art Major requires a minimum of three credits from one of the following programs:
Traditional College Preparatory Program
Visual Art 1 (required)
Visual Art 2 (required)
Visual Art 3 (required)
Visual Art 4 (required)
Basic Design Part A is an elective
This program is designed for the student who intends to pursue visual art at the college level and for the student who is interested in an arts related career. The program is comprehensive and sequential. Acceptance into this program requires completion of Basic Design (Part A) or Art 1 with a B average or teacher approval.
3D Program
Basic Design (Part B, only)
Ceramics and Sculpture 1
Ceramics and Sculpture 2
3D Art
This program is designed to provide specific content and experiences to enrich and broaden the individuals’ interest in 3D art. Acceptance into this program requires completion of Basic Design (Part B), with a B average or teacher approval.
The Visual Art Major requires a minimum of three credits from one of the following programs:
Traditional College Preparatory Program
Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2
Visual Art 3
Visual Art 4
This program is designed for the student who intends to pursue visual art at the college level and for the student who is interested in an arts related career. The program is comprehensive and sequential. Acceptance into the program requires early placement as an incoming 9th grader by way of an application, drawing auditions held during the freshman year or teacher approval.
3 D Program
Basic Design (Part B, only)
Ceramics and Sculpture 1
Ceramics and Sculpture 2
3D Art
This program is designed to provide specific content and experiences to enrich and broaden the individuals’ interest in 3D art. Acceptance into this program requires completion of both parts of Basic Design, with a B average or teacher approval.
Course Descriptions
Visual Art 1- 48110014-48110015
Prerequisite: Acceptance through application (Early Placement) or drawing auditions or teacher approval
This is a two trimester class that covers a variety of two and three dimensional art experiences, emphasizing technical and expressive skills as well as the language of art. While the students may come with prior art experience, this class is important to building a strong high school level foundation. It is the pathway class to second, third and fourth year classes in the Visual Art School of Study Program.
Our units primarily focus on art making, but also include discussions, reflections and critiques, written assignments, and introductions to important artists and works of historical significance. Central to the curriculum is an in-depth exploration of the elements of art and the principles of design, the fundamental concepts used to understand the visual arts.
Visual Art 2 – 48120014-48120015
Prerequisite: Completion of Art 1 with a B
Art 2 is a two trimester class in which the art major is involved in challenging studio problems in design, drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles. Also, art history and art criticism are components related to the full development of the talent and interest of the student.
Visual Art 3 – 48130014-48130015
Prerequisite: Completion of Art 2 with a B
Art 3 is a two trimester course in which the art major works on teacher-planned and individually selected projects to develop fine art and craft. Experiences in art history, cultural heritage, analysis of form, and aesthetics – which complement the studio experience – are integral parts of the course. The student is expected to keep a portfolio of artwork that reflects developing skills.
Visual Art 4 – 48140014-48140015
Prerequisite: Completion of Art 3 with a B
Art 4 is a two trimester advanced course in which the art major works on teacher-planned and individually selected projects to develop fine art and craft. Experiences in art history, cultural heritage, analysis of form, and aesthetics – which complement the studio experience – are integral parts of the course. The student is expected to complete a portfolio of artwork that reflects refined skills and post-high school direction.
Advanced Placement Studio Art Drawing – 48144264-48144265
Instructor Approval Required
AP Art is a three trimester class which emphasizes the quality of student work, the student’s concentration on a particular visual interest and the student’s need for breadth of experiences in the formal, technical and expressive means of the artist. Student portfolios are required for completion and could be submitted to the College Board for college credit. (optional)
Basic Design – 48112114-48112115
Prerequisite: None
This is an introductory study of the elements and principles of design. This course is for the student interested in an in-depth art experience as an introduction to broad art experiences. Students explore a limited variety of media, both 2D and 3D, while mastering the use of specific technical art materials. One trimester (part A) focuses on 2D art processes and one trimester (part B) focuses on 3D art processes.
Ceramics and Sculpture 1- 48122414-48122415
Prerequisite: Completion of both sections of Basic Design with a B average or Art 1 or teacher approval
This course offers one trimester of ceramics and one trimester of sculpture. Students in ceramics construct hand built and wheel turned pieces that are glazed and fired. Sculpture students explore additive, subtractive, modeled and cast construction techniques.
Ceramics and Sculpture 2 – 48132414-48132415
Prerequisite: Completion of both parts of Ceramics and Sculpture 1 with a B average or teacher approval
This course offers in-depth instruction in ceramic (clay) and sculpture techniques with one trimester of ceramics and one trimester of sculpture. Students produce traditional and nontraditional forms individually and in a group setting. Experimental techniques are encouraged.
3D Art – 48122514-48122515
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Design with a B average or Art 1 or teacher approval
This course examines different types of three dimensional techniques and processes, exploring a variety of media while mastering the use of technical art materials. This is suggested as an excellent elective for the traditional art major.
PRP Visual Art + Design / Ms. Webb 