Art 2 and Art 2 GT: Developing Ideas in Media

River Hill High School Art Department

Syllabus
Art does not solve problems but makes us aware of their existence. It opens our eyes to see and our brain to imagine.
Magdelena Abakanowicz, sculptor

Course Objective
In this course you will become procient in a variety of media by creating artworks that are about personal and artistic concepts of interest to you. In this process, you will become more visually articulate, more verbally articulate, and more procient at writing about artistic issues. By the end of the year you will have a portfolio of a variety of works that could be used for an A.P. Studio Exam, a college admissions portfolio, or supporting material for a GT Mentorship. This course is a combination of Art 2 and Art 2 GT students. Due to your successes in art the previous year, you elected to take this class. Therefore, all of you are expected to dedicate yourselves to the challenges of problem nding, experimentation, and independent research. By enrolling in this class, you are committing yourself to see your artwork through to a nished state. Artwork will be made in the studio, during class time, and at home. You should plan to spend an average of three hours a week on homework assignments. (For some assignments, you will need to spend longer. Some weeks, you will nd yourself free of any assigned art experiencesbut you can always work in your sketchbook!) Objectives for Responding and Expressing -analyze ways artists and other cultures nd and interpret ideas through problem solving -apply sophisticated perceptual skills to explain a viewpoint by suggesting alternatives, looking for details, and generating new ideas as a result of referring to the masters and their works -analyze and choose technical processes that best suit the problem -reect upon ideas to defend the best solution for making an art object -research requirements and qualications necessary for entering a career, which utilizes visual arts skills and behaviors -rene and apply creative thinking skills to demonstrate ways artists and cultural images may be combined to produce works of art -select appropriate tools and techniques to develop sophisticated and personal responses to art problems -design and render compositions that reect a personal aesthetic -adapt and utilize images and design symbols as icons for use as metaphors, analogies, and allegories -demonstrate an understanding of ways to assess personal development through the maintenance of a portfolio -develop and maintain digital portfolio for the purpose of participating in a web-based community

Fundamental Experiences
In this course you will become procient in: keeping an sketchbook, or visual journal. using contour and gesture to depict shape and form. portraying the proportion of forms in space. describing form and space through the use of light and shadow.

nding ways to make marks. using color both realistically and expressively. interacting productively with others in the classroom studio. creating artworks based on ideas of personal interest. nding ways to connect your life to your art. identifying visual qualities in the work of contemporary and pre-21st century art. articulating responses (visual, oral and written) to your own work and to the work of your classmates. These fundamental experiences will be addressed through units that will combine three areas: topics of concern to you; artistic concerns appropriate to the concepts; and interaction in the studio classroom.

Assessment
You will assess your own work in written reections and self-evaluations frequently throughout the term. Additionally, group and individual critiquesin which the student, the class, and the instructor all take part will provide the greatest opportunity for assessing artwork. Art 2 GT students earn merit credit for this course. By enrolling in this class at the GT level, you are committing yourself to complete challenging work at a demanding pace. While GT and regular Art 2 students will be graded the same (see below), GT students will have additional requirements for every assignment, which will be clearly outlined verbally, on the chalkboard, on the class website, and/or on typed handouts describing the assignment. As a GT student, the workload is greater for you. However, the work load should prove quite manageable if you earned an A in your previous art class, received the recommendation of your art instructor, manage you time well, and enjoy making art!

Grading
1. Incomplete work will not be accepted; only nished work will receive a grade. Work that is hastily or carelessly executed will receive a grade that reects the amount of effort exhibited. 2. Deadlines will be set at the discretion of the instructor. Usually, due dates are set when the assignment is announced. For each day late, the assignment grade will be lowered one letter-grade. 3. Most major assignments will be graded on a 100-point scale. There are four areas or components to the grade, each worth a maximum of 25 points. This system allows the teacher and the pupil to evaluate specic strengths and identify areas that need improvement. The grading matrix will be based on the following: PresentationNeatness and respect for your work must be evident in the appearance of the completed artwork. DesignThe composition has been carefully considered so as to best communicate your idea(s). Studio SkillsThe work demonstrates your prociency with materials and methods; you have used your time productively, shown respect for your work and the work of others, and participated in cleanup. ObjectivesYour work meets all the stated objectives of the assignment. The grading scale is as follows: A90 100 B80 89 C70 79 D60 69 E0 59 4. The mid-term is a written, reective exam. The nal exam is a portfolio self-assessment. 5. If you are legally absent, you may make up missed work. You are permitted a one-day extension for every day you are legally absent. You are responsible for asking me for missed work. The nature of the work

missed may require that you work at school, rather than at home. I will determine on what day and at what time this will occur. 6. No extra credit projects will be assigned. 7. You may re-work a recently-graded art piece based on suggestions you received, and you may resubmit it for a (probable) higher grade. This is, in fact, highly encouraged.

Supplies
A sketchbook is necessary to meet all course requirements in the art department. It is highly recommended that you purchase a 5 x 7-inch or 9 x 12-inch hardbound (preferred) or spiral bound sketchbook of good quality. Tablet bound sketchbooks (bound with tape only), are discouraged, as they tend to fall apart quickly, which increases the probability of lost assignments. Should you choose to not purchase a sketchbook, there will be opportunities at the beginning of the school year to learn how to make one on your own. These dates will be specied by the instructor and posted on the class blog, as well as on the chalkboard. Again, whether you purchase a sketchbook, or make one yourself, it is a necessary component of this art class and will serve as a way to complete assignments, brainstorm, and gather information that pertains to your experiences in the class. You may also consider bringing in a small, sturdy container to keep a set of supplies that will be issued to you. This container may be an old lunchbox, plastic storage container, tackle box, or art bin. On occasion you may be asked to collect found materials or to bring in objects. This should not incur any additional funds. The art department will supply the rest of your materials for the year. It may, however, be the case that you wish to purchase your own materials for use at home. If so, take your student I.D. (for 10%-20% discounts) and check out any of the following retailers for art supplies: Utrecht Baltimore (www.utrecht.com) 1-800-223-9132 Chase Street (near MICA) Pla-za Baltimore 410-625-2276 Cathedral Street (near MICA) Baltimore, MD Maryland Institute College of Art Store 410-225-2276 1300 Mount Royal Avenue Baltimore, MD Utrecht Washington, DC (www.utrecht.com) 202-898-0555 1250 Eye Street NW

Sketchbook Requirements
Throughout each quarter, you will be expected to continuously work in your sketchbook, in addition to your other class and homework requirements. Suggested prompts will be provided for you to explore in your sketchbook. Sketchbooks will be submitted at the close of each quarter for grading.

Studio Maintenance
It is expected that everyone will contribute to the maintenance of materials and tools in the art studio. This room is heavily usedeach day nearly 200 students are sharing this relatively small space and rather limited materials. As a result, we will need to take extra care to work together harmoniously! In addition to the expectations outlined in your student handbook (respecting others, abiding safety rules, etc.), I have detailed a few guidelines specic to this art class, that all of us must keep in mind. If each of us abides by these directions, our studio will be a place in which everyone has the opportunity to surpass his or her own expectations of themselves as artists! 1.All studio tools and materials must be handled with care and respect so that they are in the best possible condition for the next persons usewhich of course, may be you! Tools and materials, therefore, must be used only for the purpose for which they are intended. All studio tools and materials must be returned to their proper placeeven if they were not properly stored when you arrived in class. Each of you will be held responsible for equipment you have used. 2.Any spills or accidents with materials must be promptly cleaned up. (All students who share space at a table are responsible for that table and are expected to help clean up any messes, even if they are not personally responsible.) 3.You may leave your seat only to get supplies and to clean up, not to socialize. 4.The studio will be left in excellent condition at the end of every classtools and materials will be properly stored, works-in-progress will be put away, the tables and stools will be cleared of all debris. Materials that may have fallen on the oor during studio work periods will be picked up and stored properly. Proper condition of your table is your responsibility. 5.You may drink bottled water in this class; however, it is not permissible to drink other beverages or to eat food of any kind, as those substances might spill, stain, or otherwise deface your artwork, or the work of those around you. 6.For some people, a little conversation helps them make art; for others, quiet, focused thought is best. In this class, talking quietly while you work is okayso long as your conversation is not adversely affecting your work, or the work of those around you. I will be the arbiter of how much (or how loud) is too much! 7.Finally, since there are so many students in this class, and since you are free to chat quietly, it is sometimes difcult for me, your instructor, to get everyones attention. Therefore, if you hear me ask for your attention, please suspend your activities until I have nished speaking. If someone at your table in unaware that I am trying to speak, please let them know so that they can listen as well.

National Art Honor Society

The National Art Honor Society encourages and supports outstanding artistic scholarship, service to the school and community, artistic endeavors, and good citizenship. Student members of this organization exemplify these standards, and work to promote an awareness of art and to support the education process at River Hill High School and in the community. Membership is open to all students who are currently maintaining a 3.0 average in an art class. Past NAHS activities have included: mural painting, gallery and painting trips, public sculpture projects, elementary art teaching days, coffeehouses, T-shirt printing, and postcard exchanges. NAHS members are eligible for scholarships at many art colleges and universities. The rst meeting open to members will be in mid-September; an announcement will be made in class.