Visual Arts Course Descriptions

Visual Arts Department Course Descriptions

Course Title: Art History - Advanced Placement

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: Monday through Friday
Text: None
Pre-requisites: Junior or Senior Standing; permission of Instructor
Materials/Supplies: None

Course Description:
Art History is a required course for all Visual Arts Majors and open to all students in the school as an
elective. As an advanced placement course, it requires sophisticated language and study skills and is primarily taken in the junior or
senior year.

Course Objectives:
Art History is presented in a slide/lecture format and encompasses a survey of Art from the Paleolithic Era to the present. The course is offered in two independent semesters that can be taken individually for partial credit or out of sequence, if necessary. Both semesters are required for visual arts students and for anyone taking the advanced placement exam.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Art History exam

Course Title: Design I

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: None
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Design I is an introductory course in which the student explores the fundamentals of design and composition while acquiring a familiarity with the vocabulary and discipline required in the visual arts. The foundation elements of visual expression - line, shape, value, and texture - are examined with the objective that the student understand and control
compositional structure.

Course Objectives:
This course will examine the foundation elements of visual expression including line, shape, value, and texture. A variety of black and white media is employed both two and three-dimensionally. Participation in the critique process will be repeated throughout the course in order to develop visual and verbal skills in evaluation of art work.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Understand and control composition
Gain expertise in the use of various media and tools
Become proficient in the manipulation of the visual elements of design
Develop the necessary discipline to maintain an extended focus
Discuss and critique art work in a constructive manner

Course Title: Design II

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: Design I or Permission of Department Chair
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Design II is an introductory course which introduces the student to color as a design element. Students are familiarized with various color theories, associated vocabulary and color schemes. Through observational painting, students create a critical and structural understanding of color’s role in the composition of an image. Visual and verbal criticism are an integral component of this course.

Course Objectives:
This course will examine and clarify color theory through the use of the color wheel, color harmony paintings, color scales, and naturalistic color paintings. Students will address individual expression by study of symbolic, expressionistic and other cultural meanings of color. Participation in the critical process will be required.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Explore the visual element of color theoretically and practically
Become sensitive to direct perception of color, it’s components and modifiers
Recognize the complexity and inter-relatedness of observed color and address preconceptions of the color of a form
Build compositional and design skills

Course Titles: Drawing I, II, III, IV

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year for each
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: None
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Drawing is the core of the visual arts program. It is required for each student every semester. Each student is exposed to every faculty member and class rosters are varied to provide optimal interactive learning. Observational drawing is stressed and is supplemented by figure drawing workshops each semester. Basic technical skills of composition, value, line, perspective and proportion are explored in depth. Instruction occurs on both individual and group levels. Grade and skill levels are mixed so as to encourage interactive learning among the students. Students are encouraged to discover their own personal content, develop verbal critical skills and build a strong portfolio for college entry.

Course Objectives:
Students will become proficient in the manipulation of value, line, space, and texture, proportion and perspective. Students will exhibit expertise in using a variety of black and white and color media. Students will demonstrate ability ranging from foundation technical skills to manipulation of compositional elements and personal content and imagery. Students will develop good discipline, focus and attitude.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Gain expert observational, technical drawing skills
Acquire visual and verbal skills through the practice of critique
Build a strong portfolio for college entry
Discover the power of personal expression
Value and practice the discipline and work ethic necessary to succeed in visual arts

Course Title: Painting

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: Design I and Design II
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Painting is an elective course. Grade and skills levels are mixed and instruction is individualized. All aspects of observational painting are addressed. Proper techniques for stretching and preparing canvases are taught. Participation in critique involving the use of visual and verbal vocabulary is repeated throughout the course.

Course Objectives:
Fundamentals of color mixture and usage and recreation of illusionistic space are explored in depth. Color integration and development of an intuitive sense for chromatic design are promoted. Emphasis will be placed on promoting the directness of the medium.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Become proficient in basic technical skills
Learn to create space and dimension through the use of the color and paint application
Explore personal subject matter and sustain a consistent development of their chosen subject in a series of works (experienced students)
Acquire skill preparing painting surfaces
Employ visual and verbal skills to enhance the technique of critical thought and determination

Course Title: Printmaking

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: Design I and Design II
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Printmaking is an elective course offered to students who have demonstrated their ability through courses in design. Lithography and etching form the basis of this course supplemented by stenciling and monotype techniques. Drawing skills are expanded through the technical processes while personal imagery and problem solving skills are developed. This course can be repeated.

Course Objectives:
Students extend their drawing and painting skills through a unique, technical process. Safe operation of printing presses and use of other tools and chemicals are taught and practiced. Personal imagery is explored through the production of multiples and variations of multiples. Students incorporate verbal and visual skills in regular critiques.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Utilize specific printmaking techniques in lithography, monotype and stenciling
Have a consistent body of prints in lithography
Explore multiples in variant forms using unique printmaking procedures employing stencils and other monoprinting techniques
Practice safe procedures in handling caustic chemicals and printing presses
Develop a personal body of work for their portfolios

Course Title: Sculpture

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: TBA
Text: None
Pre-requisites: Design I and Design II
Materials/Supplies: TBA

Course Description:
Sculpture is an elective course offered to students who demonstrated their ability through two design courses. Students experience the basic sculptural vocabulary through a variety of additive, subtractive, assemblage, performative, and installation projects. Students are encouraged to develop a working knowledge of different materials along with an understanding of how materials, form, and site work conceptually. A variety of media are employed including wood, clay, plaster, found objects, mold making and casting, and time-based media. This course can be repeated.

Course Objectives:
Students gain a means to realize their ideas and to develop a true understanding and working knowledge of traditional and contemporary sculptural issues and concepts. Abstract problem solving skills are constantly stimulated throughout this process. Students will be taught to communicate critical perceptions verbally and visually.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Develop a three-dimensional component for their total visual arts portfolio
Experience the basic sculptural vocabulary
Practice the technical skills necessary for continuing aesthetic explorations
Achieve responsible, safe usage of tools
Become self-motivated and self-directed
Express their ability, initiative and personal direction through their work
Attain knowledge of contemporary art practices, history, and theory

Course Title: Drawing Your Creative Energy

Course Credit: .50 credit per semester, 1.00 Carnegie unit per year
Day/Time: Monday through Friday
Text: None
Pre-requisites: None
Materials: None

Course Description:
The language of creativity is universal. Its context and application are some of the discerning factors of its identity; therefore your creative energy can carry over to other arts disciplines. Through exercises, finished examples, and demonstrations, we will explore self-expression with drawing and printmaking. Utilize your experience in other areas of creativity to visualize movement, memory, sound, and words. Transfer, translate, and even transmit your interpretations into gestural marks and atmospheres of color. Stage compositions that evoke the mind. Use printmaking as a means of repeating steps in an image to get a
sense of rhythm. We will share our work with the group through discussions and we will also make plans for a class portfolio.

Course Objectives:
Students from diverse creative backgrounds will come together and learn the fundamentals of value, line, space, texture, proportion and perspective. They will extend their drawing experience through a unique, technical process. Safety of tools and equipment in the studio will be practiced. Problem solving skills will be stimulated throughout the course.

Skills Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:

Work confidently in a multi-discipline environment
Develop a basic visual art vocabulary
Express their ability, initiative and personal direction through their work
Acquire skills in observational and technical drawing
Gain problem solving skills
Understand sequential elements to a process
Explore multiples in varying forms using unique printmaking methods
Practice safe procedures in handling tools and equipment in a printmaking studio

Additional Services and Professional Programs

Exhibitions, The Werner Gallery
The Werner Gallery provides space for student, faculty, alumni and other professional exhibitions. Two student exhibitions are mounted each year, and our Annual Juried Exhibitions have become one of the highlights to The Academy arts season.

College Counseling
All students in the Visual Arts Department are encouraged to attend college. An extensive college preparation and counseling program is provided by the faculty. Juniors are encouraged to attend high-quality summer programs. College representatives from the best programs visit the department each year. Students prepare professional-quality slide portfolios and participate in College Portfolio Days. Information is provided concerning merit-based scholarships and all seniors are encouraged to participate in the National Foundation for the Advancement in Arts Talent Search. The success of the Visual Arts college counseling efforts can be measured by the number of students who are able to attend the college of their choice and the quantity of merit-based scholarships won by seniors in the visual arts each year.

Apprentice Teaching Programs
Apprentice teachers are brought in from colleges or art institutes. The students are exposed to new ideas, while student teachers are given a model training experience to help launch them into professional careers in art education.

Art Store
In order to reduce the high cost of art supplies, we operate a not-for-profit service store for which we buy supplies at wholesale prices and pass the savings to our students.

Exposure to Art
The city of Chicago has a lively art scene, and a great part of learning about art is getting out to see it. Chicago is a center for international architecture as well as the home of major museums and art collection. Professional galleries abound, and the Academy itself is located within the cooperative gallery district of Chicago. Field trips are taken on a regular basis, and whenever possible, students are taken to visit artists in their studios, and visiting artists are brought into the school.

Questions? Contact the Chair of the Visual Arts Department, Tom Lucas.

Visual Arts Department Guidelines for Portfolio Reviews and Auditions