Course Descriptions: Art

This comprehensive foundation course offers a variety of art experiences based on the understanding, knowledge, appreciation and application of the fundamental elements, and principles common to all art structure. The course has been organized into three major areas: the nature of art, the elements of art, and introduction to the major art movements. The nature of art is designed to consider, in a broad sense, what art is. Primarily an aesthetic and philosophical approach is used. Next is a series of studio work experiences based on the fundamental elements of art.

This basic art program is continued with the fundamentals of the nature of art and art history with stress on the elements. Areas of naturalistic, conventionalized, and abstract design are explored through the techniques of pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, tempera, pastel, etc.

This course offers foundation and exploratory experiences in drawing and in painting, using watercolors, acrylics and various drawing materials such as pencils, crayons, pastels and ink.

The ceramics course is designed for the student who is interested in working with clay. It includes the use of the potter’s wheel, applying glazes, experimentation with the various methods of handling clay and the contemporary uses of clay in various art objects. The second half of the course focuses on advanced techniques on the potter’s wheel along with continuing work in hand-building, glazing and decoration.