Here is a general overview of the art classes for each level of art. Below you will find a in-depth description of each class to help you understand the difference in classes.
Level 1 Classes
Art 1 or
Art 1 Pre-AP
All students are required to take Art One at Pearce before taking any other art classes. This beginner class is designed to teach the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and covers a wide range of materials and techniques including drawing, painting, collage, clay/sculpture, and more. Art One also includes some Art History and learning to talk about/critiquing art works.
PreAP Art One is a bit more challenging and requires a higher quality and quantity of work. This class is a great choice for those who love to make art and are interested in taking art all four years of High School. (PreAP is awarded 5 additional GPA points).
Art & Media Communications
Art and Media Communications combines rigorous and relevant experiential study of modern, post-modern, and contemporary visual art and design with student learning in media literacy and technology applications. Creation and analysis of student artworks will be balanced with explorations into contemporary practices across the visual and commercial arts fields. Students will learn how to bridge traditional hand skills with current technology applications to create new media such as animations, digital images, multimedia presentations, digital videos, websites, and interactive or site-based installations and performances.
UPON COMPLETION OF ART ONE OR ART ONE PRE-AP, YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES.
Level 2 Classes
Drawing I/Painting I or Drawing I/Painting I Pre-AP
These courses will build on what you learned in Art I with a deeper study of the Elements and Principles and variety of new mediums and materials. Both of the drawing and painting classes will be grouped together so you will still be able to work with several techniques within each class. You will also be given the opportunity to display your art and get involved in shows and competitions.
PreAP Drawing I/Painting I involves a higher quality and quantity of work and is focused on building personal technical skill and talent. This is a great opportunity for students who have a genuine interest in art or who want to further their skills.
(PreAP is awarded 5 additional GPA points)
Ceramics I or
Ceramics I Pre-AP
Students in these courses will be experimenting with wheel throwing as well as several methods of hand building including; coil, slab, chunk and pinch. After firing, projects will also have the opportunity to be glazed and decorated in various techniques.
(PreAP is awarded 5 additional GPA points)
Digital Photo/Media I or Digital Photo/Media I PreAP
These courses emphasize the basic camera skills and use of photography equipment and accessories required for photography. Students will also learn the basics of Photoshop and photo manipulation. Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be stressed in relationship to photography and composition.
(PreAP is awarded 5 additional GPA points)
UPON COMPLETION OF A LEVEL TWO CLASS, YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES.
Level 3 Classes
Studio Art 2D
(Previously Drawing II)
This class is designed for advanced art students who show a commitment towards art. It will explore many areas of art including drawing, painting, printmaking and commercial art. Emphasis in Drawing II is on exploring possible career opportunities in art and building your portfolio.
Studio Art 3D
This class is designed for students who want to continue exploring clay and various other mediums to create 3D artwork. This could be for students who want to continue learning the pottery wheel or who want to continue hand-building, but this class also include others methods of 3D work including, but not limited to, jewelry-making, sculpture, and building the breadth section of the AP 3D Design Portfolio.
AP Studio Art 2D
This class is designed for advanced art students who want to start building their AP College Portfolio. All projects will be designed to build the 12 works of the breadth portion, which showcases mastery of art skills and techniques.
This is also the AP class to take if you are a Photography student. Please refer to the following website for more information about the AP College Portfolio. https://tinyurl.com/ap2ddesign
(AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points).
UPON COMPLETION OF A LEVEL THREE CLASS, YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES.
Level 4 Classes
AP Studio Art Drawing
This class is a continuation of the AP Studio Art 2D but focuses on the concentration portion of the portfolio. Students will be working on their portfolio throughout the year to be submitted then in May. This course is highly individualized and requires dedication, time and artistic talent. Please see the following website for more information about the AP College portfolio. https://tinyurl.com/apdrawing
(AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points)
AP 3D Design Portfolio
This course is intended to assist students in preparing a 3D portfolio to be submitted to the College Board. A variety of approaches from representational, abstraction and expressionism will be part of the experience. Please see the following website for more information about the AP College portfolio. https://tinyurl.com/ap3dcollegeboard
(AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points)
AP 2D Design
This class is designed for advanced photography students who want to build their AP College portfolio. (AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points). All projects will be designed with the 2D/Photography portfolio in mind, as students will be working on their portfolio throughout the year to be submitted in May. This course is highly individualized and requires dedication, time and artistic talent (especially in photography concept and Photoshop skill). Please refer to the following website for more information about the AP College portfolio. https://tinyurl.com/ap2ddesign
(AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points)
Other Art Classes (No art pre-req required)
AP Art History
(10th - 12th Grade)
This survey course examines works of art throughout history from prehistoric times to the 21st century, and makes connections between East and West through ideas like; power, duality, love, etc. It is a note taking class, with college-level rigor to prepare students for the AP test in May. Not recommended for Freshmen. Please see the following website for more information about the AP Art History course. https://tinyurl.com/apahcollegeboard
(AP is awarded 10 additional GPA points)
Publications Classes
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Yearbook
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Newspaper
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Photojournalism
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Journalism
These classes will produce publications for the school.
In all of these courses, students will learn a variety of skills including: page design, publishing techniques, copy writing, editing, photography, record keeping, time management, teamwork, marketing, and leadership skills.