High School Course Overview
2-Dimensional Design
This class will introduce you to a series of projects intended to illustrate the fundamentals of design. The importance of line, shape, positive negative interaction, texture and collage will be explored. Media from pencil and cut paper to magazine collage will be used. An overview of the importance of design in the fine arts and in the world of commercial graphic design will be discussed using slides and primary sources. The goal of the course is to give you a solid understanding of the basics of design through projects that can also be used in your portfolio.
Drawing
This class will use still life, outdoor drawing, museum study and portraiture to explore a full range of drawing issues. We’ll begin with the fundamentals of structure and composition and move through a variety of materials and projects to engage you in drawing as a highly responsive medium. The goal of the course is to develop an awareness of good technique, familiarity with different media and a sense of individual style.
Painting
The painting studio will explore various techniques to develop creative expression. Observations of still life and landscape will introduce you to ideas about representation and abstraction within the painting genre. Acrylic paint medium will be the focus of our exploration as will gaining a general knowledge of what color theory is about. Our goal in this studio is to gain some technical proficiency and understanding for this wonderfully versatile medium.
3-Dimensional Design
In three-dimensional design you will explore several materials that hold basic design and sculptural applications. Projects are hands-on, fun and idea-based, so they add an interesting three-dimensional point of view to your portfolio. In 3-D we will use structure and form as the starting points for some exciting projects that will enhance your understanding of various materials.
Field Trips
Following is a sampling of potential field trip destinations:
Peabody Museum
The Boston Public Garden
Sculpture Tour of Forest Hills Cemetery
Fort Point Channel Artists District
Stoltze Design Firm
Brickbottom Artists Studios
Architectural Tour of Downtown Boston