Students work in clay, focusing on various methods of hand building. The goal is to advance beyond the skill level achieved in the Lower School and to deal with interactive imagery and subject matter. The work of professional artists is studied and incorporated into projects. Students look at the pottery of other cultures and include these influences in their work. For students who are experiencing ceramics for the first time, the basic step-by-step process is an important ingredient.

2 periods per cycle

Students will be introduced to the basic techniques of digital animation through a series of assignments and hands on classroom experience. These projects will include individual projects as well as collaborative work. By studying the work of historical and contemporary animations, as well as the work of their fellow classmates, students will better understand the expressive possibilities of animation in the digital age and develop their own unique vision. The class will consist of demonstrations, hands-on experimentation, and critique. Projects and instruction will further student’s exploration of animation approaches and techniques. With greater control and understanding of the language of this unique medium, students will create animations expressing their personal ideas and interests for all to share.

Students in Grades 7/8 Ceramics classes will be developing their skills and experimenting with various forming methods including slab building, coiling and the use of molds to create both functional and non- functional pieces. The class is open to students who have no experience working with clay as well as students that are more advanced. We will be working with both stoneware and porcelain clay bodies and the pieces will be fired to a high firing temperature. We will explore a number of surface decorating techniques such as graffito, slip trailing, incising and faceting as well as glazing methods. A look at ceramics from a variety of cultures and artists around the world will influence many of the projects.

This course will be offered in the fall and spring semesters.

4 periods per cycle

Students will be introduced to the basic techniques of digital photography and Adobe Photoshop through a series of photographic assignments and hands on classroom experience. Students are encouraged to examine and explore the world around them and develop a greater understanding of how we all fit in it. By documenting their personal lives and their surrounding, students will create their own visual histories while discovering new ideas and the power of self-expression. By studying the work of historical and contemporary photographers, as well as their fellow classmates, students will better understand the expressive possibilities of photography in the digital age and develop their own unique vision. With greater control and understanding of the photographic language, students will create images expressing their personal ideas and interests for all to share.

This course will be offered in the fall and spring semesters.

4 periods per cycle

Study the structure, layout and configuration of children's book writing and illustration. Whether you are more drawn to writing, imagery, or both, you will learn how to create and package one or more children's picture books in this class. Students will work both individually and in pairs/groups, depending on their particular skill sets and penchants. Students will use any number of tools to create representational and/or abstract imagery, including drawing, painting, collage and digital technology. We will enjoy the feedback and expertise of some working authors and illustrators in this field. Each student will create one or more finished books by the end of this class.

The first half of the semester will be devoted to learning drawing techniques with an emphasis on describing objects from observation. Students will be introduced to the theory of "drawing from the right side of the brain" to access new ways to "see" and divide space and objects into parts so that they can be drawn more easily. Through a process of practice and discovery, students will explore modeling light and shade with values, contour drawing, and perspective drawing. Through various studies and exercises, students will learn the basic proportions of the human face and body, and how to use a grid to build the framework for a drawing or to enlarge an image. Artists will have the opportunity to explore varied media including pencil, pen, graphite stick, charcoal, Conte crayons, pastels, tonal paper, blending stumps, and various erasers.
 
In the mixed-media unit, students will be encouraged to use their own drawings as well as any other visual materials that inspire them to create layered artwork in many forms. Students will assemble multi-layered creations, mixing traditional media (such as paint, pastel, pencil) with found objects and images (paper, fabric, text, photos, ribbon, metal, plastic). Texture, shape, color, positive and negative space, and composition will be touchstones of our discussions as students construct their unique mixed media artworks. In addition, the works of masterful mixed-media artists will be discussed and studied throughout the second part of the semester. Everyone will be urged to experiment and discover the unlimited possibilities that arise during the process of making layered artwork.

Open Studio’ is for all students who have ideas or passion in the visual arts and are in need of the time and space in which to delve deeply into those concepts in an artistic manner.  Together with the teacher, students will set their own artistic goals in this class and spend the semester working to realize that vision.  Themes will be developed together within the class. However, materials, process and other creative choices are left to the individual or small groups.  Classes will include a study of artists and their unique processes throughout art history and will be further augmented by a trip to an area museum.

This course will be offered in the fall and spring semesters.

4 periods per cycle