Visual Arts

This studio course is a broad-based exposure to the methods of hand building and wheel throwing with an emphasis on ceramic history and modes of criticism. Students will explore various clay hand building methods including coil, slab building, and thrown techniques. Students will be involved with each step of the ceramic process in a studio environment. Multiple forms of evaluation and some work outside of class will be required. Due to the nature of this class, size is limited; therefore upperclassmen will be scheduled first. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. 

Honors Ceramics is for the student who wants to pursue a rigorous in-depth exploration of ceramics as an art form. The emphasis in this course will be placed on the elements and principles of design, craftsmanship, and an appreciation of arts. Various glazing, decorating and firing processes including high-fire are also explored.  A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials.

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Ceramics course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. An investigative workbook is required, as well as summer homework assignments.  Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP Exam in May.

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

Designing with materials is an introduction to various mixed media, and other related activities. Emphasis in this course will be placed on the elements and principles of design, craftsmanship, and an appreciation of arts media. This course is designed for the student who enjoys art but may not wish to major in art. The student will be introduced to media that can be used to foster lifetime activities, highlighting planning, organization, and safety. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. However, due to the individual needs and availability of materials, students may be requested to purchase some art supplies appropriate to the specific area of work. Mediums explored will include but not be limited to: printing, batik, fused glass, silk painting, and mixed media. 

Honors Designing with Materials is for the student who wants to pursue a rigorous, more in-depth exploration of different media with an emphasis on elements and principles of design. Students will be expected to demonstrate independent, critical, contextual and visual research from various cultures through entries in a routinely assessed investigative workbook. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. However, due to individual needs, students may be requested to purchase art supplies.

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Designing with Materials course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. An investigative workbook is required, as well as summer homework assignments.  Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP Exam in May.

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

Digital Art is an introductory course introducing students to Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro.  Students will learn how to acquire and manipulate imagery in Photoshop using various techniques.  While working in Illustrator students will  learn about branding through the creation of logos and working with typography. Students will develop an awareness of shot types and editing techniques in Premiere Pro.

Honors Digital Art is a rigorous exploration of digital media for students interested in crafting sophisticated digital art compositions, animations, producing videos and design challenges for the community. Students will work on developing their own personal style as an artist. This laboratory course may require some work outside of regular class time. Students are expected to demonstrate independent, critical, contextual, and visual research from various cultures through entries in a routinely assessed investigative workbook.

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Digital Art course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. An investigative workbook is required, as well as summer homework assignments. Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP Exam in May.

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Digital Design course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. An investigative workbook is required, as well as summer homework assignments.  Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP Exam in May.

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

This studio course will explore basic techniques of jewelry fabrication including sawing, piercing, filing, sanding, soldering, and finishing base metals such as brass, copper and nickel. Students will create wearable and functional pieces with emphasis on personal inspiration and themes throughout all projects. Attention to detail and craftsmanship will be emphasized.  Students will use metal as a medium for expressing artistic personal choice and vision, while constructing and solving problems of personal relevance and interest when expressing themselves. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. However, due to individual needs, students may be requested to purchase their own supplies.

Students continue personal exploration of base metals with introduction to use of more sophisticated and professional materials such as sterling silver.  Stone setting, chain-making, and further investigation of mixed media pieces will be created in this course.  Enameling, etching and casting and other techniques will provide students with numerous opportunities to create a themed body of work for a final portfolio.

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Jewelry course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. An investigative workbook is required, as well as summer homework assignments.  Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP Exam in May.  

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

Photography is a course that involves the use of both black and white film photography and digital photography to create original, creative photographic art. Film photography applications include the processing of black and white film and printing enlargements in the darkroom. Digital applications include the use of a smartphone and Adobe Photoshop to enhance/manipulate digital images. The history and artistic qualities of photography will be explored through class critiques with an emphasis on composition, the principles of design and art aesthetics.

Photography is a studio course and requires work outside regular class time. 35mm SLR film cameras will be provided for students to borrow for use in this course. Your smartphone camera may be used for the digital photography aspect of the course. Photographic paper and mat board will be provided. Students are responsible for providing their own film.

Honors Photography is for the student who wants to pursue an in-depth exploration of photography as an art form. Studio work will consist of photographic applications that include but are not limited to: advanced black and white darkroom processing and printing, digital photography including Adobe Photoshop, the exploration and creation of a variety of alternative processes including Image transfers, cyanotypes and salt prints, and independently designed, self-directed photo shoots carried out both in-studio using studio flash and on-location using existing light. Students will be expected to maintain an investigative workbook for research, planning and assessing photo assignments. This is a laboratory course that requires considerable work outside of regular class time. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. Inkjet paper, photographic paper and mat board will be provided. Students are responsible for providing their own film. 

This course builds on the sequential learning experiences of the Honors Photography course that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students will be engaged in both instructor-directed and self-directed opportunities. A student fee is charged for this course for expendable materials. Students who choose the AP option will submit digital images of their work for their AP exam in May.

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

This course will be a survey of the history of Western art from Medieval to modern times. It will include analysis and comparison of works in their historical and societal contexts. The course will touch on several works of art, while highlighting the major representative works that shaped and were shaped by history. Students will develop visual literacy, analysis, and interpretation skills. Why do civilizations create art? What function does art serve to civilizations? What is the relationship between art and society? How does art change as society changes?

The AP Art History course is equivalent to a two-semester introductory college course that explores topics such as the nature of art, art making, and responses to art. By investigating a specific image set of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, the course fosters in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students become active participants in the global art world, engaging with its forms and content, as they experience, research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art.

To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.