Arts

Functional Pottery allows students to learn the basic techniques of working with clay both on and off the wheel. Students will explore the properties of clay – its possibilities, potential, and limitations – working with different forms and decorations to produce pieces, which can be used. As students develop stronger skills, more complex and multi-faceted forms will be explored. Work will be fired in both reduction and soda-salt kilns. Assigned projects are changed regularly to reflect increasing skills. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Drawing + Painting introduces students to the fundamentals of visual self-expression. Students will explore unity of form through line, shape, color, texture, and tonal value using a variety of drawing and painting media. Students will begin to study the history of art through slide viewings, discussions, critiques, and research assignments. A prime objective of this class is to enhance students’ ability both to see and to articulate what they have seen in a way that is insightful and intelligent. Assignments will become increasingly student-generated as the semester progresses and students pursue personal and independent themes. The semester evaluation will be based on a final critique and presentation. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

This photography course introduces students to the fundamentals of creative photographic expression. Students will explore basic photographic techniques such as exposure, composition, lighting, focus, and movement along with digital file management and image manipulation. Project work will be guided towards producing expressive and meaningful images that are technically sound. Class time will be dedicated to in-depth discussions about the history of photography, demonstrations on technique, and class critiques. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

In Renaissance Theatre, students will learn basic acting skills and theatre history, while studying theatre made popular in the 16th and 17th century Europe. This will include plays by William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Students will also learn characterization, improvisation, and movement through studying the form of theatre known as Commedia dell'arte. Sequentially following this course, future semesters will include Naturalistic and Modern American Theatre.

Filmmaking will cover both the physical and artistic elements of filmmaking, while giving students hands-on practice in both filming and editing their work. Topics covered will include the mechanics of filming, elements of cinematography and film design, and video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. Analysis of film will also be integrated so that students see how the mechanical elements of film are handled by professional filmmakers and directors. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Photography–Community Connections is a digital photography course, emphasizing the use of the photographic image to make considered, social, visual statements. Project work will emphasize community connections, with each student producing work that relates to or advocates for topics of concern to the local community. Methods for building visual narratives while making expressive, meaningful, and technically sound images will be taught. Class time is also dedicated to in-depth discussions on the social impact of photography, building relationships with community partners, field methods, and class critiques.

Technical Drawing and Design is a technical drawing focused design course, emphasizing the integration of form, space, function, and order into the development of products, imagery, and architectural works. Project work will emphasize community connections, blending technical instruction with studio assignments. Students will design and create ideas by combining materials, process/storyboarding, computer-aided design, and human factors. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical skills, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for the local and global needs of our community-based clients. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Theater Design and Tech introduces students to the artistic side of technical theatre, as well as giving them the experience of hands-on work in each area of design. The focus will be on designing for the theatre and will include such topics as script analysis, scenic design, costume design, and lighting design. Each area of design will be delved into further with related skills such as drawing, model construction, and compiling research. Students must offer 12 hours (in 4 hour increments) to the construction, installation, and strike of the realized designs for the fall play. These hours will be completed in the evening or on a weekend, as dictated by the needs of the play. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Landscape Painting focuses on sketching and painting on site to learn basic landscape painting skills. Process will emphasize preparatory pencil sketching and using paint to build a gradual understanding of the interaction of color and light within the landscape. Work will be shared with the entire class on occasion, and we will discuss our experiences, struggles, and progress. A good balance of bravery and artistic curiosity is needed. Students need to be dressed to be out of doors every class meeting.