Faculty

Kachina Martin
Tyler Seisler

Courses

The art curriculum offers a variety of activities through its various courses. Course work is designed to meet the individual interests, talents, and abilities of students. Whether the student is a craftsman, fine artist, or a person who simply enjoys art, there is a program of study to meet his/her interest. Students are encouraged to develop according to their talents and abilities but all students taking art courses will find their creative problem solving skills challenged and their sense of personal identity encouraged.

AP ART HISTORY

This course is a survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the ancient world through the history of art into the 20th century. It is intended for students with a deep interest in the field fo the arts, humanities, or history. It requires a high degree of academic commitment, as it parallels the content recommended by the College Board in preparation for the AP Art History exam. Students can expect to improve note-taking and writing skills through class activities as well as an in-depth research project completed in conjunction with the Reading Public Museum which culminates in a presentation. Students also have the opportunity to work as docents at the Reading Public Museum and further their knowledge of the collection at the Museum. Students may choose to take the AP exam at the student's expense.

AP STUDIO ART

The focus of this course is the completion of the studio portfolio with the advanced art student developing a personal concentration or theme which will result in the production of individual works of art. The work from all previous art classes, in addition to this group of concentration pieces, will become the student's AP Studio Portfolio exam. Outside assignments, written work, attendance on field trips, and participation in the annual art exhibit are required. Students may choose to take the AP exam at the student's expense.

MULTICULTURAL ARTS

This year -long course will examine the idea of "culture." We will examine the traditions and values of different cultures and how the artwork from those cultures reflects those ideas. This will lead to comparisons to our own cultures and projects will be a blend of global ideas and a student's own personal culture. A variety of media will be used and both 2-D and 3-D art work will be created along with group work and oral presentations of researched material.

THEATER ARTS

This fun course explores all aspects of working on the stage! Students participate in theater/acting exercises working with voice, movement and quick thinking as they move on to improvisational skits. Simply play productions suitable for the classroom will be learned and performed. After play/movie analysis work, students will write an original story overview with one scene written in script form. Students then become directors, actors, set designers and costume creators for their theatrical productions. Students must be willing to act in front of the class, work with others, and should enjoy creative writing.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING AND PAINTING

Did you ever wish you could draw more realistically? Would you like to learn how to paint in oils? LEARNING TO DRAW AND PAINT will focus on developing the young artist's drawing and painting skills as they learn about the Principles of Design and the historical art time periods of the Renaissance to Neoclassical. This content will be the basis for work using a wide variety of media building skills in drawing, painting, color theory, computer technologies and all forms of 2-dimensional design. This is the background experience needed by the serious art student who likes to draw and paint as he/she advances towards the independence of the AP Studio work in their senior year. But the painting hobbyist will enjoy this course as well. Students can expect to keep an art journal/sketchbook and to be assigned written work in support of the curriculum. Participation in the annual art exhibit is required.

INTRODUCTION TO CRAFTS

Do you enjoy working with clay? Fibers? Metals? This class is for you! Students will focus upon creating three-dimensional works to better understand the possibilities and limitations of the media of clay, plaster, wood, and metals as well as paper and fibers. We will focus on the developing artist's use of the Principle of Design and, historically, we will study the art of the Renaissance to the Neoclassical time period. Students will be expected to maintain an art journal/sketchbook. Written assignments and reflections upon works created will be used to reinforce concepts addressed in class. All students enrolled are required to participate in the annual art exhibit.

ADVANCED DRAWING AND PAINTING

The focus of this course is geared towards the development of a quality studio portfolio suitable for college admission. However, the hobbyist wanting to advance their drawing and painting skills will enjoy this course as well. Students will be thoroughly examining the art forms of the still life, portrait/figure, landscape, and graphic arts while using a wide variety of art media and techniques and an advanced use of the elements and principles of design. Each category will also be examined historically from the Romantic period to the contemporary art of today. Personal art journal work and written assignments can be expected. Attendance on field trips and participation in the annual art exhibit are required.

ADVANCED CRAFTS

Advanced Crafts is intended for the development of a quality portfolio that will demonstrate mastery of a wide variety of three-dimensional media. Students will look to teh work of artists from the Romantic period to the present day for inspiration, with a particular focus on contemporary crafts. Students will be expected to maintain an art journal/sketchbook; written assignments and reflections upon works created will be used to reinforce concepts addressed in class. All students enrolled are required to participate in the annual art exhibit.

ART ELECTIVE A: 2D DESIGN

Printmaking! Collage! Paint, paper crafts and more are featured in this course that will focus on two-dimensional design compositions. The elements of art will be explored as students learn to draw, paint and create strong compositions using a variety of media. Creative problem solving skills are strengthened as we look at the world of 2-D images that surround us. All students enrolled are required to participate in the annual art exhibit.

ART ELECTIVE B: 3D DESIGN

Students will focus upon creating three-dimensional works to better understand possibilities and limitations of the media of clay, plaster, wood, and metals as well as paper and fibers. Students can expect to improve problem solving skills, and learn more about both the elements and the principles of art as we create a variety of sculptural works. All students enrolled are required to participate in the annual art exhibit.