The Upper School Fine Arts Department at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School strives to provide all students with numerous opportunities for meaningful self-expression and creative exploration. In addition to involving the students intellectually, personally, and emotionally, the knowledge of the content learned assists students in developing skills that will transfer to other disciplines and life situations.
Art 1
(open to all ninth graders and to sophomores and juniors who have not previously taken art)
This is a foundation course in which students explore the elements and principles of art and design through art production, art appreciation, art history, and art criticism. Students express individual creativity in two and three-dimensional media (drawing, design, and sculpture), maintain a sketchbook for assignments and project planning, and are responsible for improving art vocabulary and informed critical thinking in the visual arts.
Art 2
(open to sophomores and juniors who have successfully completed Art 1)
Students explore the materials and methods of art and design through art production, art appreciation, art history, and art criticism. Students express individual creativity in two and three-dimensional media (drawing, design, and sculpture), maintain a sketchbook for assignments and project planning, and further develop art vocabulary and informed critical thinking in the visual arts. Emphasis is placed on improving drawing skills and rendering from life.
Art Studio - Painting
(semester course open to students who have successfully completed Art 1 Art 2 or by teacher approval)
Students are introduced to multiple painting media and techniques with an emphasis on the complex design element of color. All of the design elements that accompany any work of art (line, shape, space, value, texture, unity, balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, movement, and rhythm) are emphasized and studied at different times within the context of painting projects. Media explored include tempera, transparent watercolor, pastel, acrylic, gouache, and encaustic. Because visual art is a universal language, the study of paintings from around the world is incorporated into the course through books, videos, the Internet, and trips to galleries.
Art Studio – Drawing and 2-D Design
(Fall semester course open to juniors who have completed Art 1 and Art 2 or by teacher recommendation)
This course is recommended for students who intend to enroll in AP Studio Art 2D Design Portfolio the following year. Students explore a variety of media, techniques, and styles of drawing and design, including mixed media, graphic design, photography, collage, printmaking, and computer imagery.
Art Studio – 3D Design
(Spring semester course open to juniors who have completed Art 1 and Art 2 or by teacher approval)
This course is recommended for students who are considering submitting the AP Studio Art 3D Design portfolio the following year. Students explore a variety of sculptural media and techniques, including ceramics, carving, modeling, assemblage, and constructions.
Senior Art Studio – Drawing and 2-D
(fall semester course open to seniors)
This course is designed for seniors who wish to engage in personal creative art making in a variety of materials and styles. Emphasis is on production of drawing, design, and collage.
Senior Art Studio – 3D Design
(spring semester course open to seniors)
This course is designed for seniors who wish to explore a variety of materials and techniques of sculpture and crafts, including clay, carving, jewelry, stained glass and mosaic, and mixed media.
Senior Art – Independent Study
(semester course open to seniors who have completed Art 1 or beyond or by teacher approval)
This course is designed for exceptional students who wish to explore a variety of activities in both art production and arts curatorial work. Emphasis is placed on cataloging and exhibiting the St. Andrew’s art collections.
AP Studio Art – Drawing, 2-D Design or 3-D Design Portfolio
(Prerequisites: Art 1, Art 2, Studio Art, and teacher approval; seniors who have not taken art may apply for AP Studio through submission of a portfolio for teacher review)
This course is designed for highly motivated juniors and seniors who are interested in continuing the study of art at the college level. Students are expected to develop a portfolio of artwork which exhibits a range of accomplishment in mediums, techniques, and styles, as well as a portfolio of artwork which exhibits successful exploration of a visual idea. Students may develop these portfolios to be submitted for the AP Exam in the areas of drawing, 2-dimensional design (including photography), or 3-dimensional design, with teacher consultation. Students are expected to create portfolio artworks in a qualitative and independent manner.
AP Art History
(open to juniors and seniors with teacher approval)
This course is a general chronological overview of the Western and non-Western visual arts (painting, sculpture, and architecture), from prehistoric to contemporary times. Through slide lectures, films, reading, and discussion, students gain fundamental art historical knowledge and expand their insight into the nature and vocabulary of aesthetics and art appreciation. The course is the equivalent in content to a two-semester, college level survey of art history and prepares students for the AP exam, successful completion of which will normally fulfill six hours of college credit. Students may take this course as their fine arts elective, an academic elective, or as a history credit if also enrolled in another advanced fine art.
Journalism
This course trains students in the fundamental skills of journalism, including ad sales, interviewing, organizing information, drafting, revising, and meeting strict deadlines. The objective of the course is to allow each staff member to play a significant role in the publication of the student newspaper, The Revelation, which is published several times during the school year, and the yearbook, Sanctus, which provides a comprehensive look at the school year. The newspaper staff is headed by the student editor-in-chief, who supervises production, establishes deadlines, makes final editorial judgments, and writes editorials. He or she is aided by the news editor, features editor, and sports editor, who manage their respective staffs and write articles. Other staff positions include business manager, layout editor, photographer, and staff reporter. Students who demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, and capable writing skills are given priority in the staff selection process, which occurs in the spring of each year. Applications are required and previous staff must reapply each year.