Art is another language. Learning to speak it fluently improves your ability to be more creative, sharpening your problem solving skills and preparing you for whatever your calling may be. Start with Art Explorations to discover the vocabulary of this language and learn about the many pathways offered here at Xavier. Once you know how to speak Art, you will be asked what you want to say. Having learned to communicate with the visual tools you are given, higher level courses will give you advanced techniques and skills to help you more clearly articulate your vision, your passion your self. Follow your favorite media all the way to AP art, a college level course with college credit that opens the door to one of the fastest growing job markets.
Art Explorations (Level 5) | Elective 9, 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
This is a one semester introductory studio and art appreciation course. Art Explorations provides exposure to a variety of art concepts and materials, both contemporary and traditional preparing you for all of the other art classes offered at Xavier. Projects include 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art. It is a prerequisite course for any student planning to take advanced art courses. A $30 materials fee is required. Students must have a “C+” or better to move to other art classes. Limited to 20 students per section.
Calligraphy (Level 5) | Elective 9, 10, 11, 12 | Sem I 5 hrs
Calligraphy adds creative flair to correspondence, parties, decorations, art projects, and more. Learn more about this ancient art that is still popular today. You will learn to create backgrounds out of watercolors and other materials to highlight your lettering skills. A $30 materials fee is required. No prerequisites. This course is not a substitute for Art Explorations, and students would still need to take Art Explorations to take advanced art courses. Limited to 20 students.
Digital Photography I (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
Get the most out of your camera by learning to take pictures of a wide variety of subjects using advanced functions and techniques to create images that create and capture your world in a new way. You will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop to enhance your photos and create art work using the latest technology. It is recommended that students have their own digital camera and camera manual available to bring to class. We have a limited number of cameras that students can check out form the school. A memory card of at least 8 GB is required. Students will print digital images at their own expense for some assignments. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Pass Art Explorations with a “C+” or better. Limited to 16 students.
Digital Photography II (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem II 5 hrs
Continue to develop your creative eye while exploring options for a career in photography. You will gain experience with photojournalism, portrait, commercial/industrial, and fine art photography. It is recommended that students have their own digital camera and camera manual available to bring to class. We have a limited number of cameras that students can check out from the school. A memory card of at least 8 GB is required. Students will print digital images at their own expense for some assignments. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Pass Art Explorations with a “C+” or better. Limited to 16 students.
Painting I (Level 5) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
Gain a foundation in painting with a variety of media and techniques that will help you find your artistic style. Special attention will be given to watercolor and acrylic painting. A materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Drawing I with a “C+” or better. Limited to 15 students.
Painting II (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem II 5 hrs
In addition to building on previous work, this course will allow you to gain experience with oil painting and gaucho. A collaborative large-scale project will be created with the intent of permanent display within the school or community. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Painting I with a “B” or better and teacher recommendation. Limited to 15 students.
Graphic Design (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem I 5 hrs
Open the world of digital media design creating a variety of projects using the Adobe Creative Cloud and other more traditional media to push your designs to the max! Use the elements and principles of design to make your designs more vibrant and alive using both digital and traditional media with an emphasis on your personal expression. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Art Explorations and Drawing I with a “C+” or better. Limited to 15 students.
Sculpture (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem II 5 hrs
Further develop your artistic skills by creating 3-dimensional art and designs. A variety of mediums will be explored using various sculpting techniques. You will also be introduced to concepts of architecture and 3D printmaking. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Art Explorations with a “C+ or better. Limited to 15 students.
Drawing I (Level 5) | Elective 9, 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
Explore a variety of drawing media such as pencil, pen, charcoal, ink and other material. Projects include contour drawing, negative space drawing, and techniques to draw realistically. The course will also focus on drawing the measurements of the human face from the profile and the front view. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Art Explorations. Limited to 20 students.
Drawing II (Level 7) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem II 5 hrs
Continue to build on drawing techniques and media learned in Drawing I while adding the use of different media such as pastel and colored pencil. The course will concentrate on figure drawing, form, lighting in a drawing, mixed media work and still life arrangements. This course will focus on the development of a personal and unique style for each student. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Drawing I with a “C+” or better. Limited to 15 students.
Ceramics I - Intro To Wheel (Level 5) | Elective 9, 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
Experiment with wheel thrown, hand building and sculpture techniques. Ceramics I will prepare students to make bigger and more complex work as they progress through our other ceramics courses. A materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Art Explorations. Limited to 12 students per section.
Ceramics II - Advanced Wheel (Level 5) | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II 5 hrs
Add higher level techniques and challenges to your ceramic work. Students will create more complex pieces adding new techniques and skills to create larger and more detailed works in clay. A materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Ceramics I with a “B” or better. Limited to 12 students per section.
Ceramics III - Advanced Wheel (Level 7) | Elective 11, 12 | Sem I/II | 5 hrs
Ceramics III is about advanced techniques and individual choices. After developing a concentration and progression of work you will produce a portfolio of the semester. Students need to be self-directed because they will each be on a different path. A $30 materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Ceramics II with “B” or better and teacher recommendation. Limit to 12 students.
Independent Study (Level 7) | Elective 11, 12 | Sem I/II Cr. Arr.
Pursue a particular media in your own voice. Students must prepare a written contract stating their goals and a general course of study to be discussed with the teacher to be considered for this class. Students will meet individually with the instructor at least once a week to track progress. Prerequisites: Art Exploration with a “B+” or better and have taken all available classes in at least one media to be considered for an independent study. Students must have permission from the instructor to enroll in this course. Materials fee required.
Laboratory Assistant | Elective 10, 11, 12 | Sem I/II Cr. Arr.
Students who have had extensive experience in the Ceramics lab will have this opportunity to earn credit for helping with instructional and lab maintenance duties. The credit will be arranged according to the hours of assistance put in. Normally one credit per semester will be given. Teacher recommendation only.
AP Studio Art Drawing | Elective 11, 12 | 10 hrs
(Drawing, Painting, Photography or any 2D or 3D Media)
AP Art is a college level class that comes with college credit and requires focus and time management to produce high quality, finished pieces worthy of one of the three differern sections of your AP portfolio. Previous work may be considered for the Breadth section of the portfolio, but may not qualify. Students must attend a meeting before the summer to learn about what the requirements will be and what they need to do over the summer to be sure they are meeting the requirements for the class since it is such a large amount of work that must be done at the beginning of May. Prerequisite: Art Explorations, Drawing I, Painting I, (Painting II, and/or Drawing II are also highly recommended) and consent of the instructor.