Edgemont Art Department

STEAM Studio (1 credit)

STEAM Studio introduces students to a variety of beginner level experiences in technology-based art production. Science and Technology are in the forefront and interwoven into every aspect of the curriculum. The focus of the course is to increase visual literacy and communication in a contemporary society while using technology and science as a conduit for creativity. This course covers the basics of Photography, Advertising & Design, Film Appreciation, Digital Film Making, and STEAM based content. The course will introduce students to the dark room through non film based image making. Students will learn the traditional chemical based developing process through alternative printing processes and STEAM based principles. Students will then move on to digital photography and the digital scanning of their work and learn how to correct and alter their photographs in Adobe Photoshop while learning the basics of the Photoshop interface. Students will also work with both 2-D and 3-D design concepts while learning about the basic business practices and theory as they apply to Advertising & Design. The second half of the year will consist of learning the formal and aesthetic aspects of film-making and cinematography while being exposed to both classic and contemporary films. The final quarter of the year, students will work on creating digital film shorts that will be collaboratively produced and screened in a class wide film festival. Lastly, students will be exposed to more STEAM principles by learning how to block code robots and run them through team built and designed obstacle courses!

Studio Level Class. Predominantly taken in 9th grade. Prerequisite for all 1/2 credit, upper level studio electives, Painting and Drawing, Photography, and AP Art.

Studio in 2D (1 credit)

Studio in 2D will introduce the student to the language of art using a variety of media, materials, and techniques which includes drawing (pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, pastels), painting (watercolor, acrylic and temperas), printmaking (linoleum cuts, silk-screens, mono-prints, and collographs), collage, calligraphy, design projects, and crafts.

Studio Level Class. Predominantly taken in 9th grade. Prerequisite for all 1/2 credit, upper level studio electives, Painting and Drawing, Photography, and AP Art.

Studio in 3D (1 credit)

Studio in 3D will provide a hands-on aesthetic experience in a multitude of 3-D media and areas. Introduction to ceramics, jewelry, multi-cultural crafts which connect to the global curriculum, book binding and other sculptural forms will offer a comprehensive and meaningful foundation course to inspire further study.

Studio Level Class. Predominantly taken in 9th grade. Prerequisite for all 1/2 credit, upper level studio electives, Painting and Drawing, Photography, and AP Art.

Painting and Drawing (1 credit)

Painting and Drawing is an art elective that builds on the Studio in 2-D Art experience. The course enables further study in painting and drawing through a variety of visual experiences and media. Emphasis is on drawing from life and individual projects for college and/or AP Studio Art portfolio preparation.

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Animation (1/2 credit)

In Animation, students will learn the multi-layered process of how to create an animation from start to finish through hands-on experiences in the art studio. The course will begin by introducing learners to the history of animation through creating simple animated toys. After learning the mechanics of animation, students will then study the Principles of Animation first through traditional hand-drawn animation practices and then through digital drawing software and stop-motion animation using cameras and iPads. Students will explore and develop skills in the entire scope of the animation process from storyboarding and set design, to film production and editing. Students will expand their knowledge of a variety of Animation mediums such as stop-motion (cut paper animation, pixilation, claymation) and digital animation. The course will culminate with a film festival that students work together to produce and publicize to the larger school community.

“Animation” will rotate yearly as an offering with “Jewelry Design”

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Jewelry Making (1/2 credit)

Students in Jewelry Making will explore the Elements and Principles of Art through creating their own wearable sculpture. Students will learn how to fabricate their own designs from sketches to actual 3D adornment using materials such as polymer clay, ceramics, metal, and more. This introductory level class is open to all skill levels and will include accessible topics like beading and bracelet making to more complex techniques such as wire wrapping and chainwork. Students will leave the course with a variety of functional and finished pieces such as keychains, earrings, necklaces, handmade charms, bracelets, etc. that all demonstrate their newfound understanding of three-dimensional design and fabrication.

“Jewelry Design” will rotate yearly as an offering with “Animation”

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Photography (1 credit)

Photography is a full year class. steeped in STEAM principles, Photography is an art making course that uses traditional 35mm and 120 mm film based camera, darkroom and chemical processing of film and photographic prints, to address the foundation of art and elements of science through the camera.

Photography exposes students to negative-less image making, alternative process and chemistry, to a full understanding of the film based image and print making. Students will learn about the physics of light, the use of dark-room equipment, and the mechanics of 35mm film cameras to create negatives and photographic prints. Students will learn formal compositional skills and the techniques for critiquing and analyzing their own work. Emphasis on formal art principles via the camera and becoming more literate visual communicators and storytellers is the conceptual cornerstone to this course. Notable art historical figures will be discussed to give each project relevance and historical context.

The second half of the year capitalizes on the technical skills honed in the first half of the year giving way to a more personalized discovery of the photographic medium. Photographic projects are developed to culminate into a personal portfolio that allows for creative flexibility, and independent study of subject matter. Classic photographic subjects will be presented, as well as an art historical context to give each project meaning. 35mm and 120mm film will be used as well as alternative process and a deep dive into the digital darkroom and digital photo printing and processing.

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Digital Photography (1/2 credit)

Digital Photography is designed to harness the power of digital cameras and iPhone/mobile devices as an image capturing and art making tool. The course expands upon the skills and concepts developed in Photography I. Students will be encouraged to work independently to discover their own personal style and address subject matter they find inspiring. Students will have the opportunity to work digitally with their own DSLR cameras, school DSLR’s, iPhones, digital flatbed scanners, and film scanners. Emphasis will be placed on using digital capture devices as an art making tool to address the foundations of art. Emphasis will also be placed on creating large, thematically focused bodies of work that show maturity, skill and artistic vision. A large focus of the class will be the introduction to Photoshop, Lightroom software. Photo editing, post-production, digital retouching, and a variety of digital printing media will be covered in the class. Exploration of the variety of file capture types will be discussed such as RAW, JPEG, and TIFF as well as a variety of color languages, printing inks and substrates. Students will be expected to have one on one critiques while developing their bodies of work as well as partaking in group discussions. Students who take this course will have the opportunity to create a physical portfolio of their work as well as develop a website to showcase their photography. Physical and virtual portfolios can be shared with college admissions as part of the student application process, and as a supplement or requirement.

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Film Appreciation (1/2 credit)

Film Appreciation is where the study of film as an artform, and the creation of the moving image come together! At no time has communication through video and film become so vital and influential in contemporary society. Being able to analyze works of art and create powerful narratives as a form of expression and communication is vital in a modern society.

Film Appreciation (1/2 credit) combines 2 classes, Film Appreciation and Digital Film Making. The newly configured course exposes students to the formal elements of film making, the basics of plot development, character development, story boarding, cinematography, editing techniques, camera movement, musical direction, and score. Students experience what it is to be an “active viewer” rather than a “passive viewer” and learn how to see film as an artform. Classic and contemporary films are selected for the purpose of learning about various genre, directing style, formal cinema-graphic techniques, and thematic interconnected-ness. Students will be exposed to various actors and actresses that have defined the medium while also viewing some of the top 100 films of all time as chosen by The American Film Institute. Students will be expected to take part in daily critical group discussions as well as provide their own personal interpretations and opinions. The class concludes with students breaking up into small production crews and are asked to write, direct, film, act, edit, produce and promote their own short films. The end of the class culminates in a student run film festival.

“Film Appreciation” will rotate yearly as an offering with “Art and Commerce”

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

Advertising and Design (1/2 credit)

Advertising and Design creates the connection between Art, Advertising, Design, and Commerce. It has been said that Advertising is where art meets Capitalism head on!

This class (1/2 credit) will draw from basic Marketing and Advertising business principles. Subjects such as Branding, Brand Perception, Brand Recognition, Brand Loyalty, Visibility, Product Placement, Differentiation, Market Segmentation, Target Audience, Advertising Media Vehicles, etc, will all be covered. Real life products and brand analysis will be used and studied as well as studying the marketing and advertising campaigns of real companies such as Starbucks, Tropicana, Chobani, Nike, Under Armor, Vans and many other prominent brands. Students will study the importance and power of logos and why they are important in defining Brand Perception and Brand Loyalty and Brand Recognition. Basic sketching and physical fabrication will be learned and used to create 3D package designs, creative text designs, athletic footwear and sports wear designs and beverage containers. The importance of conceptual development of an idea from start to finish as well as collaborative, team based problem solving will be part of the creative process. The utilization of Photoshop and Illustrator will be used extensively to visually enhance existing products while also creating original products. Functional design and aesthetics will be an integral part of the course.

“Advertising and Design” will rotate yearly as an offering with “The Moving Image”

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class

AP Art (1 credit)

In AP Art, students will create a portfolio consisting of 24 pieces to be submitted to the College Board in the first week of May as part of the Advanced Placement Studio Art exam. The portfolio must include a "Breadth" sec-tion which includes 12 different art works in a variety of media and a "Concentration" section which comprises an in-depth exploration of one single theme or idea with a specific choice of media throughout the 12 images. During class meetings, students will create and refine these works and assemble their portfolios under the direction of the instructor. Students will receive advanced instruction in topics covered during introductory and intermediate-level art courses.

Prerequisite: Any Studio Level Art Class, plus a selection of additional advanced art electives to build out one’s portfolio.

Art 7 and Art 8 are part of the required sequence in Fine and Practical Arts. They will acquaint students with the elements of art (color, line, texture, form, shape and light) and the use of these elements as the tools of artistic expression. Included are units on drawing, printmaking, painting, collage, sculpture and computer graphics.

Art 7 and Art 8 are part of the required sequence in Fine and Practical Arts. They will acquaint students with the elements of art (color, line, texture, form, shape and light) and the use of these elements as the tools of artistic expres-sion. Included are units on drawing, printmaking, painting, collage, sculpture and computer graphics.