VISUAL ARTS

BALLARD
HIGH
SCHOOL
 ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART
AP Studio 2-D Design AP Studio Drawing
This class follows the curriculum established by the College Board AP Studio Drawing follows requirements set by the College Board.
in preparing a portfolio of artwork that reflects sustained investi- A senior-level course, students develop a portfolio consisting of
gation in 2-D design problems. This continues the development of 18 to 24 pieces. Half of the pieces represent the student’s selected
the body of work begun in Visual Art 1 through Visual Art 3. Art- focus, the other half the student’s breadth of abilities. Student
work is informed by research of contemporary and master artists, portfolios are required for completion and will be submitted to the
cultural exemplars, peer dialogue, and artist statements. Student College Board for scoring. Prerequisite: Successful completion of
portfolios are required for completion and will be submitted to the both sections of Visual Art 2 and Visual Art 3 and approval of the
College Board for scoring. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Art Department
both sections of Visual Art 2 and Visual Art 3 or Photo 2 and Photo
3 and approval of the Art Department AP Art History
AP Art History follows the College Board curriculum. This course
AP Studio 3-D Design builds an extensive understanding and knowledge of architecture,
This class follows the curriculum established by the College Board sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical
in preparing a portfolio of artwork that may include works in a and cultural contexts. Students will examine and critically analyze
variety of art forms that emphasize sustained investigation in 3-D major forms of artistic expression from the past and present.
design problems. Artwork is informed by research of contempo- Requires AP Exam in May
rary and master artists, cultural exemplars, peer dialogue, and art-
ist statements. Student portfolios are required for completion and
will be submitted to the College Board for scoring. Prerequisite:
Successful completion of both sections of Visual Art 2 and Visual
Art 3 and approval of the Art Department

CERAMICS
Ceramics/Sculpture 1 Ceramics/Sculpture 2
Ceramics/Sculpture 1 is a course in ceramics with a focus on con- Ceramics/Sculpture 2 is a course continuing in-depth instruction
struction, hand-built, and wheel-turned pieces that are glazed and in clay and sculpture techniques Students produce traditional and
fired. Sculpture students explore additive subtractive modeled and nontraditional forms individually and in a group setting. Experi-
cast construction techniques. Study in both 3-D processes includes mental techniques are encouraged. Curriculum includes the history
skill development in the use of art elements, principles of design, of ceramics and sculpture (including major artists movements and
and composition. Traditional and experimental use of various styles from the past to the present), aesthetics, art criticism, and
media techniques and styles are encouraged. Broad historical and career development. Works produced in this course will lead to
cultural perspectives on art and artists who work in ceramics and the creation of portfolio-quality works and presentation experienc-
sculpture, as well as instruction and practice in the critique pro- es.
cess, are addressed. Works produced in this course will lead to the Prerequisite: Successful completion of Ceramics/Sculpture 1 or
creation of portfolio-quality works and presentation experiences. teacher recommendation
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Art 1

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 PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography 1 Photography 3
In this introductory survey course, students learn to use their In this course, students refine and master technical skills as well as
camera as an expressive art tool and to appreciate the visual world experiment with alternative approaches and materials to com-
around them. Students learn the Elements of Art and Principles of pose unique photographs. Additionally, students will develop a
Design through hands-on projects and activities as well as digital photographic portfolio that demonstrates quality; shows a breadth
photo editing, photographic composition, and photographic of formal, technical, and expressive experiences; and concentrates
manipulation using editing apps and Photoshop. The history of on a specific theme or problem. Through collaboration with peers
photography is surveyed, with attention to its impact on society. and instructors, students will develop a personal aesthetic view-
Students are encouraged to supply their own digital camera point. In-class and independent problems further the development
(point and shoot or DSLR). of skills and techniques. Contemporary photography is surveyed,
with attention to personal or conceptual vision. Prerequisite: Suc-
Photography 2 cessful completion of Photography 2. Students are encouraged
In this course, students apply the language of art in producing to supply their own digital camera (point and shoot or DSLR).
photographs in a traditional “wet” darkroom. Students explore
the optics, physics, and chemistry involved in producing dark-
room-based photography. Primary experiences will center on the
use of a 35mm SLR camera, film processing, darkroom techniques,
print manipulation, sketchbook reflection, and the presentation
of work. The history of photography is surveyed, with attention to
notable individuals and their impact on the craft. Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Photo 1. Students are encouraged to
supply their own 35mm film camera with manual control.

VISUAL ART
Visual Art 1 Visual Art 4
This is an introductory class focused on developing a solid under- This is an advanced-level class for the serious art student only. All
standing of the elements of art, the principles of design, and vari- art concepts and principles mastered in Visual Art 3 will be em-
ous art making techniques. Students explore a variety of art media ployed by the art student to begin the development of a personal
and materials with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Likewise, style and body of artwork. Students will be challenged to become
students will be developing knowledge of art history and its place more disciplined, self-driven, and independent in their critical
in the context of society. Students will continue to develop a criti- thought processes. The initial stages of portfolio development for
cal eye in examining works of art from history and other students. college admissions will be accomplished during the conclusion
This introductory art course will lay a foundation for students to of this course. This course continues skill development beyond
pursue more advanced art classes at Ballard. Visual Art 3. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Art 3 or
teacher recommendation
Visual Art 2
This is an intermediate-level class focused on extending the Textiles/Printmaking 1
knowledge acquired during Visual Art 1. Students will examine Textiles/Printmaking 1 is a course offering one semester of Tex-
historical art figures and associated movements with more depth tiles (part A) and one semester of Printmaking (part B). Textiles
and breadth. Open-ended projects promote the expanded use of introduces the student to a variety of processes and techniques in
critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing the interest- textile design, surface embellishment, and fiber arts construction.
ed art student for future individual and conceptual art production Specific textile/fiber arts processes may include weaving (on- or
in the advanced courses. Prerequisite: Successful completion of off-loom), felting, stitchery, dyeing, quilting, fashion/garment de-
Visual Art 1 or teacher recommendation sign, etc. Students in Printmaking explore relief, intaglio, planog-
raphy, and serigraphy using a variety of media. Students engage
Visual Art 3 in critiques of their artwork, the works of other students, and
An advanced-level class for the serious art student only. All art those by professional textile/fiber artists and printmakers. Works
concepts and principles from Visual Art 1 and 2 will be employed produced in this course will lead to the creation of portfolio-qual-
by the art student to begin the development of a personal style ity works and presentation experiences. Prerequisite: Successful
and body of artwork. Students will be challenged to become more completion of Visual Arts 1 or teacher recommendation
disciplined, self-driven, and independent in their critical thought
processes. The initial stages of portfolio development for college Architectural Design
admissions will be accomplished during the conclusion of this Combines the elements and fundamentals of architectural design
course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Visual Art 2 or with the theory and application of presentation techniques. Deals
teacher recommendation with site selection, use of materials in design, spatial relationships,
and aesthetics. Traditional and contemporary design, designers,
processes, and historical milestones are explored. Board and
computer techniques are used in illustrating interiors of student
designs.
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