Middle School
Middle Art I (semester elective)
Middle Art (I) provides students with the basics of drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture and history. A “Basic Work Sheet” focusing on drawing, shading, color and clay principles is provided for students to fill out and keep for reference. Students learn about primary colors. They learn to make and use secondary, tertiary and complementary colors with acrylic paints and also to create line, value, still life and perspective drawings using a full range of pencils. Also, they learn about basic clay handling and procedure, glazing and firing. Each student is given a project list of six items and asked to complete at least five during the semester. The projects are: Your Favorite Room, Three-Dimensional Mixed Media Sculpture, Clay, Still Life Composition, Historical Replication and Value Study. Each student will participate in group critiques during the semester and all will exhibit some of their artwork during a school wide art exhibit held each semester.
Middle Art II (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Middle Art I
Middle Art II provides students with the basics of drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture and history. Each student is given a project list of six items, similar to but more involved than those in Art I and asked to complete at least five during the semester. The projects are: Draw an Historic Building (then build a model), Three-Dimensional Mixed Media Sculpture (must use at least four different materials), Clay (series of pots using coil, pinch and slab methods of construction), Natural Still Life Composition, Historical Replication (create a poster about a famous artist, including a replication of his/her artwork) and Value Study using a full range of pencils. Each student will participate in group critiques during the semester and all will exhibit some of their artwork during a school wide art exhibit held each semester.
Middle Art III (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Middle Art I, Middle Art II
Middle School Art 3 provides students with projects based on drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture and history which are similar to but more advanced than Art 1 and 2 projects. Each student is given a project list of six items, similar to but more involved than Art 1 or Art 2, and asked to complete at least five during the semester. The projects are: Draw and Build Your School Building, Three-Dimensional Mixed Media Sculpture (must us a variety of found objects plus a piece of fired clay made by student), Clay (series of three pots each using a combination of coil, pinch and slab methods of construction and must also include either carved or applied relief decoration), Natural Still Life Composition (must use a minimum of 5 natural Objects), Historical Replication (research an artist from the Abstract Expressionist Period and replicate one of his/her works on canvas) and Value Study (natural objects only) using a full range of pencils from 6B to 6H. Each student will participate in group critiques during the semester and all will exhibit some of their artwork during a school wide art exhibit held each semester.
PreUpper School
Note: Students are required to take one semester of either a Visual or Performance elective
Art I (semester elective)
In Art 1, students follow a specific project checklist. Each project description leaves room for creativity and exploration, yet still follows specific required curriculum needs. The students explore block printing, value, color and other elements and principles in two and three – dimensional works, as well as in art history and computer art. Students utilize sketchbooks throughout the semester for their research and preliminary sketch work. Students will exhibit work in the MSA Studio Arts Exhibit.
Art II (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I and recommendation of teacher
Art 2 is a semester elective course that enlarges the scope and complexity of the projects from Art 1. Each student is given a project list consisting of six project categories: Block printing, Self-Portrait, Art History, Assignment Color Study Painting, Perspective Drawing, and Clay Slab-Built Sculpture. Students are asked to complete at least 4 of the projects during a semester. They may choose to work on them in any order they wish. Group critiques are held periodically to view the projects and give students the opportunity to discuss the works using real art terms such as composition, structure, technique, style, color palette, etc. Once a project is completed, the student fills out an assessment sheet on which he/she explains and self-grades the piece using four criteria: Effort, Attitude, Creativity and Craftsmanship. Then, he/she writes an artist statement conveying their feelings about the piece, what it means and says to them and what they hope it says to others. Students are encouraged to do their best and to share their work and their statements with others during the school wide art exhibit each semester.
Art III (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II and recommendation of teacher
Art III students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork using a variety of media, tools and processes. Students will be expected to complete two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects from a set checklist of projects designed to cover a wide range of art concepts. Students will interpret content of objective, abstract, and nonobjective artworks and use this information to create art history series artwork. Students evaluate artists’ use of color relationships to create an intended descriptive and expressive effect within the color study. Students examine the relationship between visual arts and other disciplines, such as anatomy and figure drawing, dance and gesture drawing while working on the human figure drawing/sculpting project. Students learn to combine materials to help accentuate details of a painting in the texture painting project. Students are encouraged to view art as an avocation with its opportunities for lifelong learning and expression through making art, reading about artists, and being required to help in many aspects of the art exhibition process. Students critique artwork using processes of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment based on evidence observed in artwork. Students also evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students continue to utilize a sketchbook and portfolio, as well as information sheets and self-assessment sheets throughout the process of each project. Students will also exhibit their work in the Studio Art Exhibit and be present to help assemble and dismantle the exhibit.
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Art IV (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Art III and recommendation of teacher
Art 4 students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, found objects) using a variety of media, tools and processes. Students will be expected to differentiate between various media and techniques used to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks from a set checklist of projects designed to cover a wide range of art concepts. Students will create a series of artworks that imitate nature in the drawing assignment. Students develop skills in using elements and principles to produce aesthetically pleasing compositions and to communicate expressive content in the self-portrait postage stamp. Students integrate a variety of materials and themes to create the mixed media assemblage. Students discuss art as an avocation with its opportunities for lifelong learning and expression, such as making art, reading about art and artists, and being required to help in many aspects of the art exhibition process. Students critique artwork using processes of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment based on evidence observed in artwork. Students evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students will exhibit work in the Studio Arts Exhibit. Students will also help assemble and dismantle the show.
Art V (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Art III, Art IV and recommendation of teacher
Art 5 is designed to raise the level of art skill that has used to complete previous art classes. Student will be completing projects and learning concepts that he did not focus on in depth in his previous classes. Concepts are taken to the next level and a higher expectation is set. The human figure is studied and replicated in pencil and clay. The studio program is explored and reflected through a logo design. Outdoor life is examined and drawn. Study of a public issue and expressing it in a textural painting is explored. Student will also complete ‘information sheets’ during the process of projects and complete ‘Self-Assessment Sheets’ at the completion of each project. Student will exhibit work in the MSA Studio Arts Exhibit, as well as help assemble and dismantle the exhibit.
Art VI (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art l, Art ll, Art lll, Art lV, Art V and recommendation of teacher
Students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork using clay, block printing, painting, and drawing. Students will consider and utilize concepts and techniques from previous art classes. Students will adapt these concepts and techniques to reach a higher level of expectation, in both skill and creativity. The multi-unit clay sculpture project explores form and the interaction between forms. The color block print project pushes the artist to consider multiple designs and the overlap and integration of these designs. The painting project allows the artist to rely on color theory and go beyond the obvious with composition. The environmental issue painting project takes the artist beyond the classroom to reflect on the world around him/her. The artist must consider design, color and composition to convey the personal message about the environment. Students will evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, their own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students will play an active role in the art exhibit process.
Art VII (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I – Art VI and recommendation of teacher
Students in Art VII take a look at their overall collective portfolio of work and see what subject matter or materials are missing from the body of work. The students may propose projects and/or take a retrospective look at past checklists to choose works that have not yet been created. They may also choose to revisit past works and strengthen them. This class is for artists who are willing to look closely and critique their work and their peers work with an experienced eye and voice.
Sculpture I (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of teacher
Sculpture class encompasses many aspects of the art world. Sculpture class follows a specific project checklist that each student follows. Sculpture students research sculptors from different eras throughout history. The students utilize this information to inspire and plan their own sculptures with an emphasis on expressive, social, and utilitarian design. Students use sketchbooks to organize their ideas. Students produce sculpture within constraints of selected problems, such as a chair, a self portrait, a balance sculpture. Students use a wide variety of materials (wood, wire, plaster, clay, styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, papers, etc). Students complete self-assessments to allow for reflection regarding performance and progress. Students will exhibit work in the Mill Springs Academy Fine Arts Exhibit.
Sculpture II (semester elective, Grades 8 -12)
Prerequisite: Sculpture I, recommendation of teacher
Sculpture 2 class encompasses many aspects of the art world. Sculpture class follows a specific project checklist that each student follows. Sculpture students research sculptors from different eras throughout history. The students utilize this information to inspire and plan their own sculptures with an emphasis on expressive, social, and utilitarian design. Students use sketchbooks to organize their ideas. Students produce sculpture within constraints of selected problems, such as creating a musical instrument, a public issue sculpture, and an expressive form reflecting the student artist and an artist from history meeting. Students use a wide variety of materials (wood, wire, plaster, clay, styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, papers, etc). Students complete self-assessments to allow for reflection regarding performance and progress. Students will exhibit work in Studio Art Exhibit.
Sculpture III (semester elective, Grades 8-12)
Prerequisite: Sculpture I, Sculpture II and recommendation of teacher
Sculpture III encourages artists to create at a higher level of both skill and creativity than was utilized in Sculpture II. Artists will explore and reflect on the world around them in a multitude of ways, including through very creative lenses. Artists will create sculptures that look like they are from nature but will use all man-made materials to build. Artists will explore and create using only recyclable materials, while conveying a message about recycling at the same time. Artists will think about their MSA world around them and will create a sculpture that reflects the energy and personality of that world. The sculpture will be given to the school to which the artist belongs (PreUpper, Upper School, or Communication Arts). Artists will explore the proportion and detail of a human body part and then create a sculpture of multiples of that part. Artists will also create a sculpture that replicates the characteristics of an article of clothing lying or hanging. Sculpture II students are expected to mentor and give feedback to Sculpture I and Sculpture II students, sharing their experiences and problem-solving issues.
Communication Arts/Upper School
Art Aide (semester elective)
Prerequisite: recommendation of teacher
Student will help in the art studio. Responsibilities include being strong role model and helper during Lower School art classes, typing, paperwork, photographing, and other small art studio tasks.
Art I (semester elective)
In Art 1, students follow a specific project checklist. Each project description leaves room for creativity and exploration, yet still follows specific required curriculum needs. The students explore block printing, value, color and other elements and principles in two and three – dimensional works, as well as in art history and computer art. Students utilize sketchbooks throughout the semester for their research and preliminary sketch work. Students will exhibit work in the MSA Studio Arts Exhibit.
Art II (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I and recommendation of teacher
Art 2 is a semester elective course that enlarges the scope and complexity of the projects from Art 1. Each student is given a project list consisting of six project categories: Block printing, Self-Portrait, Art History, Assignment Color Study Painting, Perspective Drawing, and Clay Slab-Built Sculpture. Students are asked to complete at least 4 of the projects during a semester. They may choose to work on them in any order they wish. Group critiques are held periodically to view the projects and give students the opportunity to discuss the works using real art terms such as composition, structure, technique, style, color palette, etc. Once a project is completed, the student fills out an assessment sheet on which he/she explains and self-grades the piece using four criteria: Effort, Attitude, Creativity and Craftsmanship. Then, he/she writes an artist statement conveying their feelings about the piece, what it means and says to them and what they hope it says to others. Students are encouraged to do their best and to share their work and their statements with others during the school wide art exhibit each semester.
Art III (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II and recommendation of teacher
Art III students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork using a variety of media, tools and processes. Students will be expected to complete two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects from a set checklist of projects designed to cover a wide range of art concepts. Students will interpret content of objective, abstract, and nonobjective artworks and use this information to create art history series artwork. Students evaluate artists’ use of color relationships to create an intended descriptive and expressive effect within the color study. Students examine the relationship between visual arts and other disciplines, such as anatomy and figure drawing, dance and gesture drawing while working on the human figure drawing/sculpting project. Students learn to combine materials to help accentuate details of a painting in the texture painting project. Students are encouraged to view art as an avocation with its opportunities for lifelong learning and expression through making art, reading about artists, and being required to help in many aspects of the art exhibition process. Students critique artwork using processes of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment based on evidence observed in artwork. Students also evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students continue to utilize a sketchbook and portfolio, as well as information sheets and self-assessment sheets throughout the process of each project. Students will also exhibit their work in the Studio Art Exhibit and be present to help assemble and dismantle the exhibit.
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Art IV (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Art III and recommendation of teacher
Art 4 students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, found objects) using a variety of media, tools and processes. Students will be expected to differentiate between various media and techniques used to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks from a set checklist of projects designed to cover a wide range of art concepts. Students will create a series of artworks that imitate nature in the drawing assignment. Students develop skills in using elements and principles to produce aesthetically pleasing compositions and to communicate expressive content in the self-portrait postage stamp. Students integrate a variety of materials and themes to create the mixed media assemblage. Students discuss art as an avocation with its opportunities for lifelong learning and expression, such as making art, reading about art and artists, and being required to help in many aspects of the art exhibition process. Students critique artwork using processes of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment based on evidence observed in artwork. Students evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students will exhibit work in the Studio Arts Exhibit. Students will also help assemble and dismantle the show.
Art V (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I, Art II, Art III, Art IV and recommendation of teacher
Art 5 is designed to raise the level of art skill that has used to complete previous art classes. Student will be completing projects and learning concepts that he did not focus on in depth in his previous classes. Concepts are taken to the next level and a higher expectation is set. The human figure is studied and replicated in pencil and clay. The studio program is explored and reflected through a logo design. Outdoor life is examined and drawn. Study of a public issue and expressing it in a textural painting is explored. Student will also complete ‘information sheets’ during the process of projects and complete ‘Self-Assessment Sheets’ at the completion of each project. Student will exhibit work in the MSA Studio Arts Exhibit, as well as help assemble and dismantle the exhibit.
Art VI (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art l, Art ll, Art lll, Art lV, Art V and recommendation of teacher
Students develop ideas, plan and produce artwork using clay, block printing, painting, and drawing. Students will consider and utilize concepts and techniques from previous art classes. Students will adapt these concepts and techniques to reach a higher level of expectation, in both skill and creativity. The multi-unit clay sculpture project explores form and the interaction between forms. The color block print project pushes the artist to consider multiple designs and the overlap and integration of these designs. The painting project allows the artist to rely on color theory and go beyond the obvious with composition. The environmental issue painting project takes the artist beyond the classroom to reflect on the world around him/her. The artist must consider design, color and composition to convey the personal message about the environment. Students will evaluate, based on predetermined criteria, their own performance and progress on skills and visual products. Students will play an active role in the art exhibit process.
Art VII (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Art I – Art VI and recommendation of teacher
Students in Art VII take a look at their overall collective portfolio of work and see what subject matter or materials are missing from the body of work. The students may propose projects and/or take a retrospective look at past checklists to choose works that have not yet been created. They may also choose to revisit past works and strengthen them. This class is for artists who are willing to look closely and critique their work and their peers work with an experienced eye and voice.
Art Design I (semester elective, Grades 8 - 12)
Art Design provides students with the basics of graphic design and how it affects our everyday lives. Because of the mechanical nature of Art Design, students learn the use of basic drafting tools such as drawing tables, T-squares, triangles, rulers, technical pens and templates, along with the use of computers for type-setting and visual effects. Students learn about logos and will create both personal and company logos by hand, applying them to stationery and company identity pieces (ads and signage) respectively. Students will learn the basics of creating a display ad and sign for a product or company of their choice, using a computer for research, but producing the artwork by hand. Students will also learn to create “situational art”, visual representations of everyday words and/or phrases, without the use of words. This is a fun and creative way to express true visual communication. Next, students design or re-design a product package or label, including logo. They must create the package in which the product is displayed in a retail situation. The final project is an ad campaign to better our environment. Students research problems and solutions and create ads, signage, bumper stickers, magnets, etc.; items designed to get the important message to the public. Students participate in brainstorming sessions and group critiques and exhibit their work each semester in a school wide art exhibit.
Art Design II (semester elective, Grades 8 - 12)
Prerequisite: student must have already taken a number of art courses
Art Design is an art class based primarily on discovering art that surrounds us every day, art that fits into the category of functional graphic design. Students will be instructed on how to create practical application art; i.e., art that has a special purpose and set criteria. Project examples include logo design and application, package design, advertising design and institutional art or, art that conveys a specific theme. This is not a computer or photography class, although both may be used as necessary to complete assignments. Students utilize sketchbooks and tracing paper throughout the semester for research and preliminary sketch work.
Art History (semester elective)
Art History is designed to give students a basic look at art through the ages, from its beginnings in the caves of Europe, through the various developments and civilizations that shape our lives and our art today. Using photos and text, students will learn about early man, how and why his art began. Students will then study early civilizations and the “New Stone Age”, where man began to plant and build, the kingdoms of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Persia, Greece and, finally, Rome. To help them better visualize and understand what they are studying, students will create their own artwork. Based on information and images introduced in class, students will create their own versions of cave paintings, primitive masks and ancient coins. They will each create a detailed drawing or painting of an important artifact or structure (from a list of choices) such as the Great Sphinx, the bust of Queen Nefertiti, the Lion Gate (from Mycenae), or the Parthenon. As a team-building project, students will pool their talents to re-create an ancient structure such as a Greek temple or Roman aqueduct. The project grade (team grade) depends upon each team member’s effort and participation. Group critiques are held periodically to discuss various projects and finished art is displayed during the school wide art exhibit held each semester.
Open Studio (semester elective, Grades 9 - 12)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Director of Fine Arts
Open Studio is an opportunity for dedicated, engaged art students to utilize time in the art studio in a way that allows for freedom of choice within their work. Students develop plans for projects and once the plans are approved, create work that does not follow a specific curriculum checklist. Opportunities to create work and offer assistance for specific events, fundraisers, and mentors are available within this class.
Pottery (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of teacher
Pottery provides students with a wide range of information regarding pottery techniques and applications. Students learn about the history and function of ceramics throughout history. Instruction includes specific techniques and students create work using these techniques: pinch, mold, coil, slab, combination and wheel. Their work is based on researching other potters and published works. Students learn and apply information about glaze application, such as brushing, sponging, dipping, pouring and wax resist and decorative techniques such as stamping. They are asked to research firing chemistry processes including bisque, glaze, raku, wood, pit, gas, electricity, oxidation, and reduction. Potters learn about proper care and safe use of tools, equipment and materials, as well as learn about career opportunities related to ceramics. Students participate in peer critiques and student work is exhibited each semester in school wide art show.
Sculpture I (semester elective)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of teacher
Sculpture class encompasses many aspects of the art world. Sculpture class follows a specific project checklist that each student follows. Sculpture students research sculptors from different eras throughout history. The students utilize this information to inspire and plan their own sculptures with an emphasis on expressive, social, and utilitarian design. Students use sketchbooks to organize their ideas. Students produce sculpture within constraints of selected problems, such as a chair, a self portrait, a balance sculpture. Students use a wide variety of materials (wood, wire, plaster, clay, styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, papers, etc). Students complete self-assessments to allow for reflection regarding performance and progress. Students will exhibit work in the Mill Springs Academy Fine Arts Exhibit.
Sculpture II (semester elective, Grades 8 -12)
Prerequisite: Sculpture I, recommendation of teacher
Sculpture II class encompasses many aspects of the art world. Sculpture class follows a specific project checklist that each student follows. Sculpture students research sculptors from different eras throughout history. The students utilize this information to inspire and plan their own sculptures with an emphasis on expressive, social, and utilitarian design. Students use sketchbooks to organize their ideas. Students produce sculpture within constraints of selected problems, such as creating a musical instrument, a public issue sculpture, and an expressive form reflecting the student artist and an artist from history meeting. Students use a wide variety of materials (wood, wire, plaster, clay, styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, papers, etc). Students complete self-assessments to allow for reflection regarding performance and progress. Students will exhibit work in Studio Art Exhibit.
Sculpture III (semester elective, Grades 8-12)
Prerequisite: Sculpture I, Sculpture II and recommendation of teacher
Sculpture III encourages artists to create at a higher level of both skill and creativity than was utilized in Sculpture II. Artists will explore and reflect on the world around them in a multitude of ways, including through very creative lenses. Artists will create sculptures that look like they are from nature but will use all man-made materials to build. Artists will explore and create using only recyclable materials, while conveying a message about recycling at the same time. Artists will think about their MSA world around them and will create a sculpture that reflects the energy and personality of that world. The sculpture will be given to the school to which the artist belongs (PreUpper, Upper School, or Communication Arts). Artists will explore the proportion and detail of a human body part and then create a sculpture of multiples of that part. Artists will also create a sculpture that replicates the characteristics of an article of clothing lying or hanging. Sculpture II students are expected to mentor and give feedback to Sculpture I and Sculpture II students, sharing their experiences and problem-solving issues.