Visual Arts

List of 2 items.

• Middle School

  Art 1A Principles and Elements
  Art 2A Principles and Elements
  

  Art 3A Principles and Elements

• High School

  Visual Arts Teacher
  Amber Jackson, BFA, Illustration

  ajackson@chaminade.org

   

  All paired two courses in the Visual Art program meet the VPA requirement for admission to the University of California system.

   

  ART IA: Fundamentals of Art

  In this introductory semester-long course, students will acquire foundational drawing skills informed by the Elements of Art and Principles of Design through a historical and contemporary artistic lens. They will gain familiarity with traditional wet and dry media, such as graphite, charcoal, pen and ink. While the course observes the importance of two-dimensional rendering and observational drawing, students will explore various forms of art-making, such as portraiture, chiaroscuro, one-point perspective, and still-life drawing. Through engagement in the four artistic processes of the visual arts (creating, presenting, responding, and connecting), students will cultivate an artistic vocabulary that will develop a unique artistic voice.

   

  Art 1B-Digital Design I

  This course introduces students to fundamental design processes and problem-solving skills using graphic design principles and elements. Exposure to the intellectual and technical challenges of graphic design communication results in a series of introductory-level visual solutions. In combination with design problems, students are exposed to information about the current design technology. All projects are developed to meet industry standard levels, emphasizing basic craftsmanship skills.
  
  

  Art 1B-3-D Design

  This is a hands-on course where students explore 3D form through various materials. Students are exposed to various processes, techniques, and methods related to historical and contemporary sculpture. Students will develop skills in additive, subtractive, and assemblage sculpture and visual problem-solving. Various projects provide opportunities for students to use personal experiences in the process of making art.

  
  

  Art IIA: Composition and Acrylic

  In this semester-long course, students will build upon skills acquired in Art I, Fundamentals of Art, through an introduction to the fundamentals of acrylic painting. The course serves as a prerequisite for Studio Art III, AP Drawing, and AP 2-D Design. In addition, students will be introduced to artistic composition, color theory, still life, and portrait painting, as well as material maintenance and media preparation. In reference to California State Standards, an artist imagines, executes, reflects, and refines work before creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. Students will further their understanding of visual literacy by redesigning an object, system, place, or design in response to a contemporary issue and selecting, organizing, and designing images to make visually clear and compelling presentations to look introspectively as artists.   

  
  

  Studio Art IIB - Digital Design 

  This semester-long course will prepare students for real-world application in Graphic Design and Illustration (Pre-Requisite, Art IB: Digital Design). Students will develop competency in interdisciplinary integration, design thinking, and digital literacy by collaborating on current projects with Chaminade instructors in the form of logos, banners, posters, etc. They will generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and works by developing preliminary sketches, mood boards, and mind maps to accomplish a final portfolio-ready work. In addition, the course challenges students to develop a deeper understanding of media programs, building upon their knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator CC. They will gain an understanding of professional development between a Designer, Art Director, and Client to cultivate the skills and advanced techniques to become well-rounded learners through visual problem-solving, exhibiting their work, and thinking critically about it.

  
  

  Studio III: Media Experimentations

  This course will introduce students to an array of experimental media and techniques to enhance a greater visual vocabulary outside of conventional practices. They will research a variety of political, social, cultural, and personal issues represented in contemporary art to better inform their understanding of visual concepts and the importance of meaning as image-makers. Students will work with materials such as collage, printmaking and transfer, installation, digital, and advanced painting techniques as they navigate their artistic voices. 

  
  AP Studio Art

  In this yearlong course, students are expected to create a portfolio of work that demonstrates a comprehensive inquiry of art and design practices, in addition to the development of skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas—in addition to Sustained Investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. This course allows students to build on cumulative skills acquired in previous semesters. Students enrolled should have a minimum of a passing grade in three semesters in sequential art courses (i.e., Art IA and Art IB-1, 2 or equivalent), and based on a portfolio review by the Fine Art Department. The expectation is that they will submit a body of work which will be submitted to the College Board based on such criteria. 

  
  As in introductory college courses, students are encouraged to work beyond scheduled class time. Homework, such as maintaining a sketchbook or journal, should support the depth of learning expected of AP students and will be vital in the supplementation of the final portfolio. Constructive, formative critiques—essential in college courses and conducted by both their peers and their instructor—are equally important in AP Studio Art. By observing, discussing, and analyzing works of art and design, students learn to evaluate not only the artwork itself but develop a deeper understanding of how their practice informs creation.

  
  

  AP Studio Art: Drawing 

  This portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition. Students should consider marks that can be used to make drawings, the arrangement of marks, the materials and processes used to make marks, and the relationships of marks and ideas. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media work are among the possibilities for submission. Still images from videos or films are accepted. Video clips should not be submitted. Still images from videos or film and composite images may be submitted.

  
  

  AP Studio Art: 2-D Design

  This portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of two-dimensional (2-D) elements and principles of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, volume, mass, occupied/unoccupied space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students should consider how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that involves space and form. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, weaving, fashion design, illustration, painting, and printmaking are among the possibilities for submission. Video clips should not be submitted. Still images from videos or film and composite images may be submitted.

   

  NAHS

  The NAHS is an art club that engages students who have a passion for arts and desire to use it to promote and support all art, School’s Mission, social justice, and School’s fun events. In NAHS, the students discuss and plan an important event, concert, support each other’s creative efforts, and even do painting exercises to all interested students to hone their artistic skills. Every year, NAHS host students’ painting event for Chaminade’s mental health week. NAHS members are an immensely diverse family, constantly working on expanding artistic horizons, planning a fun concert for the school, or tackling new social justice challenges.

   

  Annual Students’ Group Art Exhibitions

  • Robert Graham Memorial Art Exhibition at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA
  • C S U N Art Galleries Annual High School Invitational exhibition, CSUN Main Gallery, Northridge, CA.