Art & Design
The 2D Art and Design Program is a 4-year sequence based on the California Visual Arts Standards and guided to culminate with the Advanced Placement Portfolio completion on year 4 for students interested in receiving college credit while still in high school.
In the studio-based Art and Design courses, students will learn about the process of art making by exploring their own possibilities as creators and critics of their own visual language. To develop literacy and practice in the visual arts, students will be guided in the study of techniques, experimenting with a variety of materials, research a range of topics and review the work of different artists and art movements from different parts of the world. A particular interest will be drawn to artists and histories related to Latin America. When relevant, the course will be in Spanish, or taught in both, English and Spanish to parallel the cultural student representation at Novato High School.
All the components mentioned will support students develop their creativity and own voice, while they identify their medium of preference to better articulate their interests.
In this course, students will be introduced to the process of art making following guided practices and research to complete their own projects. Our classroom becomes the Art Studio and students are expected to use the space as student-artists. Literacy in the visual arts will be integrated to practice techniques, experiment with a variety of materials contextualized in the work of established artists.
Students will complete 8-10 projects including 2- and 3-dimensional work using creativity to integrate personal stories, preferred styles, and interests in different cultures. Artistic talent is not a requirement for this class, however it is an opportunity to experiment with techniques, the use of materials and personal possibilities in the art and design world if not as creators, as lifelong interested as participants.
Students will be introduced to the work in sketchbook a year-long project. The work in the sketchbook will be part of all the in-class projects—vocabulary, notes, guidelines, sketches, including a midterm and final evaluations. At the end of the year, sketchbooks become a portfolio of student work and progress that may serve different purposes.
Collaboration and conscientious effort in the Art Studio will play a major role for student success. It is not a requirement for students in Art and Design 1 to continue to Art and Design 2.
In this course, students will further develop their understanding and practice in art making, expanding their means of communicating topics of the surrounding world as well as the personal. Students will explore new techniques, and advance literacy in the visual arts by studying a range of artists, art movements and referencing styles from around the world. Their own creativity will take place with the completion of 6-8 projects based on illustrations, narrative paintings, printmaking, drawings of the physical and organic world around us.
The sketchbook continues to be a strong aspect in building up the content for the class, and used by the student in developing their projects through notes, study sketches and drafts. In this book, students document their progress; critical and visual discoveries, and it may also serve as a portfolio.
Students in this course have successfully completed Art and Design 2 and are interested in developing their individual voice and style. In this advanced art and design course, students have identified their medium of choice, continue to refine other ones and are inclined to work out visual solutions on selected topics.
Structured projects and instructor’s guidance are still part of the support process.
The sketchbook continues to be a strong aspect in building up the content for the class, and used by the student in developing their projects through notes, study sketches and drafts. Students understand the significance of documenting their progress—critical and visual discoveries, as well as development of techniques and practices. This book will be part of students’ portfolio for various purposes.
Art and Design 4 prepares student to submit their Advance Placement portfolio and apply to receive college credit and placement. In this course, students will be given projects to resolve with the practical and critical skills learned and refined in the previous years.
Students work at this level becomes much more independent and reflects that of the professional artist in their studio. The art instructor is there to provide feedback and direct critical discussions for reflection and improvement.
The sketchbook continues to be a strong aspect in the development of projects, and recording of visual and content research. Students understand the significance of documenting their progress and are practice it naturally. This book will be part of students’ portfolio for various purposes.
Roxana Leiva
