Visual Arts

The visual arts department is proud to offer a variety of courses exploring traditional 2D and 3D mediums, digital photography, Adobe Photoshop, and comprehensive art courses that offer the potential to earn college credit (IB and AP.) Cape Coral High School graduates have gone on to study art at SCAD, University of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Boston University to name a few. 



Drawing I, II

This course is designed to teach the student the basic fundamentals of drawing and composition.  The student is exposed to a variety of drawing and painting media and will learn techniques characteristic to these various mediums.  The student will develop his/her ability to see and learn techniques to visually communicate what he/she sees to others through the drawing and painting media.


2-D Art

Students experiment with the media and techniques used to create a variety of two-

dimensional (2-D) artworks through the development of skills in drawing, painting,

printmaking, collage, and/or design. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the

structural elements of art to improve mark making and/or the organizational principles of

design in a composition from observation, research, and/or imagination. Through the

critique process, students evaluate and respond to their own work and that of their peers.

This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.


Ceramics/Pottery

Students explore how space, mass, balance, and form combine to create aesthetic forms or utilitarian products and structures. Instructional focus will be on ceramics and/or pottery. Media may include, but are not limited to, clay and/or plaster, with consideration of the workability, durability, cost, and toxicity of the media used. Student artists consider the relationship of scale (i.e., hand-held, human, monumental) through the use of positive and negative space or voids, volume, visual weight, and gravity to create low/high relief or freestanding structures for personal intentions or public places. They explore sharp and diminishing detail, size, position, overlapping, visual pattern, texture, implied line, space, and plasticity, reflecting craftsmanship and quality in the surface and structural qualities of the completed art forms. Students in the ceramics and/or pottery art studio focus on use of safety procedures for process, media, and techniques. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

  


Creative Photography 1 

This introductory course explores the principles of photography including history of photography, DSLR camera functions, lighting, composition, photo editing (Photoshop), and thoughtful analysis of photographs.

Emphasis is placed on composition, content, technical skills and the use of photography as a means of communication and artistic expression.

Photoshop is introduced with lessons in beginner/intermediate applications for photo optimization and creative use. 



Creative Photography 2 

Building on Creative Photo 1, this course explores the principles of photography more in depth including history of photography, DSLR camera functions, studio and natural lighting, portraiture, composition, creativity, and critical analysis of photographs. 

Emphasis is placed on composition, content, technical skills and the use of photography as a means of personal communication and artistic expression. 

Intermediate and Advanced Photoshop lessons will be introduced with applications for photo optimization and creative use. 



Creative Photography 3 

Students must be accepted by instructor

This upper level photography course explores advanced photographic concepts and skills. Through the study of photographic styles, processes and techniques students will explore a variety of techniques and develop a portfolio of work demonstrating their own personal expression and interests.

Emphasis is on a higher level of understanding of historical and modern processes, composition, technical skills (both camera and image editing), self-improvement, and developing a photographic style.

Advanced Photoshop lessons will be introduced with applications for photo optimization and creative use. Photoshop certification is an option.



Portfolio

Students will work in both a teacher-guided and self-directed environment to develop a portfolio showing a body of their own work that visually explores various artistic styles, personal ideas, different mediums, and techniques. Artists will work in content consisting of but not limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media.   They will explore the manipulation and application of the various elements and principles of design such as line quality, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, and/or illusion of depth. Students regularly reflect on aesthetics and art issues individually and as a group, and focus on expressive content that is progressively more innovative and representative of the student's artistic and cognitive growth.  Students' portfolios are expected to showcase their own personalities, thoughts, and ideas as well as their artistic growth through the course of the year.  Their pieces will display a solid understanding of technique, medium breadth, and expertise in compositional arrangements.  They must also show evidence of refined exploratory and problem-solving skills Students must.  Because this is an accelerated curriculum, students must have a solid prior knowledge base and experience in the basics of the visual arts and be ready to display strong initiative and work ethic. Although the school will provide many of the supplies necessary to the course, the personal consumption of art materials is inevitable, and will involve the student putting forth a monetary investment into a collection of their own art supplies.



AP 2D Art & Design, AP 3D Art & Design, AP Drawing

One year college level courses. Students must request entrance in the course and be accepted by the instructor.

Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and

development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams. A qualifying score on an AP Exam may translate to college credit.



Pre-IB Art 1 and 2

Offered for 9th and 10th grade Pre-IB Students

Pre-IB art provides an exploration of art practice, art history and art awareness. Students investigate a variety of mediums and styles while learning about different art movements and approaches. This course is not required to take IB Art but is a helpful introduction for those interested in taking art in the IB Diploma Program. 



IB Visual Art

2 year IB Elective Choice for 11th and 12th Grade

IB Visual Art is a two year elective in the IB Diploma Program. Through inquiry, investigation, reflection and creative application, visual arts students develop an appreciation for the expressive and aesthetic diversity in the world around them, becoming critically informed makers and consumers of visual culture.Students taking this course will develop and curate an exhibition of their artwork; explore a variety of mediums and techniques while recording their discovery and process; and research and investigate artists and art movements from a range of cultures and time periods. A qualifying score on an IB Exam may translate to college credit.





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