Sixth and seventh graders take a semester of visual art, learning foundational skills and practices through a series of projects. Students may begin exploring a variety of media in two and three dimensions, art history, drawing from observation, developing compositions, studio practices, and more.

Semester.

Students learn basic artistic principles and experiment with and explore a variety of media and techniques. Students may sign up for either single semester or for both semesters for a full year of art. Media taught in one semester will not be repeated in the other. Students will also learn how to create an e-portfolio and a blog to record, photograph and critique their work through their artistic journey.

Full year or single semester. 8^th graders can receive ½ credit for taking the full year of art (both semesters).

No prerequisites. 

Art Foundations is a studio course focusing on building a foundation through art appreciation, design, drawing, painting and sculpture. Students explore the creative process by studying works of other artists and Art Movements while creating original art. Students learn how to photograph and blog about their work in order to create an e-portfolio in preparation for high school art courses.

Grades 8 and 9 may apply to take the class.

Full year. This class earns a Carnegie credit (grades 8 and 9)

No prerequisites for grade 9 students . Grade 8 students submit a portfolio.

Two-dimensional (2-D) design teaches students how to use color, line, shape, form, texture, value, pattern, and other elements to bring visual ideas to life. You see 2-D design in movie posters, video game covers, magazine pages, billboards, and advertising. In school you use 2-D design to make posters, reports, and powerpoint presentations. This course teaches creative problem-solving and critical thinking through a series of hands-on projects.

Grade 8.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

This is a class designed to show students how to tell a visual story by blending writing and artistic skills. Students will learn the basics of how to write and draw comics, from single panel jokes to multi-page stories. This course is aimed at bringing out the best in both writers and artists, giving them the chance to build their talents through a medium that paved the way for much of the entertainment that we enjoy today.

Grade 9.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

Assessments: Projects 

Fiber Arts introduces students to the art of embroidery, sewing, batik, felting, quilting and weaving. Basic design, structure and form will be emphasized along with creative expression. Students will also be encouraged to explore non-traditional textile applications as an art form.

Grades 8-9.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

Graphic Design I acquaints students with Adobe programs Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign through classroom exercises and design projects (book covers, logos, posters, and more).

Graphic Design II builds from Graphic Design I in an authentic way by working with a local business to recreate their business' identity. This year’s project included a logo redesign, business cards, trailer signage and other elements.

Grade 9.

Each course is one semester.

No prerequisites for Graphic Design I.
Graphic Design I is a prerequisite for Graphic Design II.

Exploring a broad range of drawing issues, media, techniques and processes, Drawing classes encompass media such as graphite, charcoal, ink, colored pencil, and pastel. Drawing II reinforces principles learned in Drawing I and emphasizes the opportunity for students to self-direct their work through a particular drawing method.

Grades 10-12.

Each course is one semester.

No prerequisites for Drawing I.
Drawing I is the prerequisite for Drawing II.

An introduction to painting, beginning with acrylic and watercolor. Students will explore color theory and paint mixing before beginning work on full paintings of increasing complexity. Students are given individual help and critique as they work to develop their own unique ways of handling paint.

Grades 10-12.

Each course is one semester.

No prerequisites for Painting I (though Drawing is helpful). Painting I is the prerequisite for Painting II. 

Graphic Design I acquaints students with Adobe programs Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign through classroom exercises and design projects (book covers, logos, posters, and more). Graphic Design II builds from Graphic Design I in an authentic way by working with a local business to recreate their business' identity. This year’s project includes a logo redesign, business cards, trailer signage and other elements.

Grades 10-12.

Each course is one semester.

No prerequisites for Graphic Design I.
Graphic Design I is a prerequisite for Graphic Design II.

Two-dimensional (2-D) design teaches students how to use color, line, shape, form, texture, value, pattern, and other elements to bring visual ideas to life. You see 2-D design in movie posters, video game covers, magazine pages, billboards, and advertising. In school you use 2-D design to make posters, reports, and powerpoint presentations. This course teaches creative problem-solving and critical thinking through a series of hands-on projects.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

This course is based on sculpture techniques using a variety of media such as clay, wire, paper-mache, assemblage art and 3D printing. Creative expression will be encouraged as students seek to make unique one of a kind sculptures. Previous drawing class experience is helpful.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites. Drawing class experience is helpful.

This semester course will emphasize compositional design through the medium of glass. The semester will include works of art in Stained Glass, Fused Glass, Slumped Glass and Glass Mosaics. A survey of the history of ancient mosaics and stained glass will be included.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites. Drawing class experience is helpful.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basics of woodworking, safety, and scenic design. By the end of this course, students should be comfortable using a number of hand tools, air tools, and the heavy equipment provided by the Jackson Prep Shop. They should also be familiar with basic set elements and design techniques.

Grades 10-12.

Full year.

No prerequisites.

A survey of Western Art from prehistory through c. 1950, this course emphasizes broad knowledge and understanding of art movements and styles. Some of the information is memorization, while other aspects encourage students to choose movements, artists, and styles to investigate deeply. Throughout the course students are developing their eye in order to recognize specific artists, styles, and works.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

This course focuses on knowledge and skills in 3- dimensional design with clay through hand-building techniques, sculptures, and throwing pots on the wheel. Students will mix their own glazes.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

Application process required.

Fiber Arts introduces students to the art of embroidery, sewing, batik, felting, quilting and weaving. Basic design, structure and form will be emphasized along with creative expression. Students will also be encouraged to explore non-traditional textile applications as an art form.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

Are you a poet, rapper, collector of quotes? This class will combine words, art, and design. You will be introduced to lettering (calligraphy, hand-lettering, computer fonts), handmade books, and book design. After learning some basics, you will choose your own projects: develop a line of paper goods with hand-lettered sayings, turn your manuscript into a ready-for-publication book design, create a computer font, or do something else entirely.

Grades 10-12.

One semester.

No prerequisites.

Photography is a merging of science and art. These classes examine that intersection, helping students understand the technical aspects of photography while developing their own artistic voice. Photography I centers on digital photography and leans more toward the technical side, while Photography II incorporates darkroom work and leans more toward voice development. Both courses use Photoshop editing.

Grades 10-12.

Each course is one semester.

No prerequisites for Photography I.
Photography I is a prerequisite for Photography II.

Students should have their own digital camera (no phones) and a computer that will run Adobe Photoshop.

Students who have taken at least two years of other art classes can enroll in Art Portfolio, a class dedicated to helping students develop a body of work. In this class students will synthesize learning from across their art experiences into work that exemplifies a personal artistic voice and vision.

Grades 11-12.

Year-long course.

Should have completed two years of art classes before enrolling in Portfolio.

Some students may choose to pursue the completion of an Advanced Placement Studio Art Portfolio (Drawing, 2-D, 3-D). AP Students will complete a portfolio according to the requirements set down by AP. Students are awarded AP grade weight after completion of the portfolio. Students will, as a rule, use the Junior year in Art Portfolio to begin work on the AP Portfolio, completing the requirements their Senior year.

Grade 12.

Year-long course.