Visual Arts

This is an introductory study of the Elements of Art. Students will broaden their understanding of how to create realistic and abstract art through the use of drawing, painting and scratch art. Students will create a Visual Journal throughout the semester, giving them the opportunity to design a project using visual and representational direction.

This art and design class is a further study of the elements of art and an introduction to the principles of design. Students will become more familiar with media and new methods to advance techniques and skills. Students will explore different variations of media and how they interact with one another. This is a high school credit course and is only open to 8th graders.

This is an entry level 3D class for middle school. The main focus of this class will be exploring various sculptural media while growing skills in traditional sculptural methods like additive, manipulation and construction. Students will both create individual and collaborative works using materials ranging from clay, paper, tape, magazine and foam board. Historical aspects of sculpture will be explored focusing on the works of George Segal and other famous works of art. Students will also explore works outside of the classroom, culminating with a field trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in the fall and a trip to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. This class is open to 7th and 8th graders.

Advanced Media & Art Design is the exploration of elements of art and design along with the Principles of Design. This class allows each student to explore media such as acrylic paint and water colors. Students are also given an introduction on taking digital photography. Visual journals are created in this class. This class is open to 7th and 8th graders.

Beginning: This is an entry-level art course that teaches students to develop creative solutions to two-dimensional design problems using a variety of media and techniques. An in-depth exploration of the elements of art will guide students through rendering spatial dimension through a still-life study. Instruction for using a variety of graphite drawing pencils and techniques will be introduced. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles and elements of design as they relate to a watercolor painting & printmaking project. Lastly, students will recognize different artists and artworks in history and creatively “alter” a Master’s work in a personally guided mixed media- art appropriation project. Critical analysis and evaluation of one’s own work and the work of others will be initiated. These foundations provide the framework for art students to visually and verbally communicate effectively in successive art courses.

AP: AP 2-D Art & Design is designed to be a college-paced class in a High School setting. Students are expected to present a portfolio of selected works they have done during this course for evaluation at the end of the year. Submission of a complete portfolio is required in order to earn credit for the course, both at GAC and at the College Board. The emphasis of this class is on building the portfolio. The portfolio is made up of two sections: quality and sustained investigation (15 final works in total). Three works are produced over the preceding summer and are due on the first day of class.

Beginning: This is an entry-level art course that teaches students to develop creative solutions to three-dimensional design problems using a variety of media and techniques. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles and elements of design as they relate to their three-dimensional works. Students will learn to present and display their work in an aesthetically appealing manner. Historical aspects of 3-D design and sculpture will be explored focusing on works by Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg, and many other artworks and artists.

Intermediate: The focus of this class will be on exploring various sculptural media while growing skills in traditional sculptural methods like subtraction, construction, and manipulation. Students will create artworks that develop their understanding of composition and the proper application of the elements of art and principles of design. Students will make independent decisions while working within the criteria of specific sculptural problems. Historical aspects of sculpture will be explored focusing on the works of artists such as Degas, Giacometti, and Brancusi. Students will also have opportunities to explore cultural differences in art from various parts of the world.

Advanced: The focus of this class will be on exploring form through various sculptural problems. Students will focus on exploring sculpture in the round by developing 3-D constructions and designs which demonstrate complicated ideas like abstraction and non-objective designs. Students will work with sculptural media such as wood, wax, plaster, and clay. Students will make independent decisions while working within the criteria of specific sculptural problems. Historical aspects of sculpture will be explored focusing on the works of Noguchi, Calder, Moore and Hepworth.

AP: This course is designed to be a college-paced class in a High School setting. Students are expected to present a portfolio of selected works they have done during this course for evaluation at the end of the year. Submission of a complete portfolio is required in order to earn credit for the course, both at GAC and at the College Board. The emphasis of this class is on building the portfolio. The portfolio is made up of two sections: selected works and sustained investigation.

Beginning: The focus of this course is for students to explore a variety of drawing, painting, and mixed media. Through the Pastel Portrait Project students will combine traditional portrait drawing techniques with pastel media to explore a hyper colorization approach to rendering. Students will begin to hone the quality of their rendering and design skills utilizing theories of composition and dynamic contrast to visually communicate their ideas. A architecture watercolor painting project will allow students to demonstrate their understanding and use of space and color. Students will gain confidence with color mixing and watercolor painting through a series of exercises focusing on mixing hues, values, intensities, temperatures, neutrals, and incorporating creative textural techniques. Lastly, students will strengthen their ideation skills through a “Street Art Pattern Project.” By combining design techniques, introduction of emphasis and symbolism, and a thorough acrylic paint demonstration, students will create their own logo and street art wall on canvas. Critical analysis and evaluation of one’s own work and the work of others will continue to be strengthened.

Intermediate: This course continues the exploration of a variety of drawing and painting media and techniques to solve visual arts problems. Students will be introduced to the power of finding their own visual voice. They will demonstrate their knowledge of color theory and principles of art through a “Visual Voice Mixed Media Project.” Students will investigate Abstraction in art by creating an “Object Abstraction Acrylic Painting” on stretched canvas, using a limited color palette, symbolism, emphasis, and evident acrylic painting knowledge. A final project will allow students to experience the concept of skin tone color mixing and colored pencil techniques through a hyper realistic “Hand Gesture Rendering Project.” Critical analysis and evaluation of one’s own work and the work of others will be demonstrated through verbal and writing critiques.

Advanced Drawing & Painting: This course explores alternative drawing techniques by teaching students to use ball point pen to create an expressive self-portrait focusing on proportions of the artist’s face, and their expression or mood. The second project focuses on color mixing with molding paste and acrylic paint to create a textured palette knife painting of a landscape of their choosing. Lastly, students will refine their proportional drawing skill in a “I Am Thirsty” watercolor painting. Students will be introduced to mixing watercolor techniques with Prismacolor pencils, along with some other tricks to create an illusion of hyper realism. Composing space, as well as using values and proportion are emphasized in this work. Students will refine their art vocabulary with written self-critique forms, as well as thoughtful class presentation of their work and their artist statements.

AP Drawing Portfolio: AP Drawing Portfolio is designed to be a college-paced class in a High School setting. Students are expected to present a portfolio of selected works they have done during this course for evaluation at the end of the year. Submission of a complete portfolio is required in order to earn credit for the course, both at GAC and at the College Board. The emphasis of this class is on building the portfolio. The portfolio is made up of two sections: quality and sustained investigation (15 final works in total).

The student will explore various graphics applications as well as various tools for creating graphics. Students will create products and designs that integrate traditional materials with new design technologies like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will develop creative solutions to real world business and industry-specific graphics and advertising applications.

Students will learn the techniques, methods, and digital tools required for digital photography, including digital cameras and professional editing software. Students will use critical thinking skills and creative problem solving to create unique compositions that utilize formal elements and principles of design used in producing quality photographs. Historical developments, contemporary uses, and career opportunities related to photography will be explored. Students will create a culminating body of work at the end of the semester. All students are required to have a digital camera with manual settings for use during this course.

The focus of this class will be on exploring clay as an art form in various applications and using different building methods. Time will be spent hand building with some experience throwing on the potter’s wheel. Students will understand the science and chemistry behind the various firing processes. Students will explore various decorating techniques such as inlay, sgraffito, red-iron oxide, and glazing as well as slips. Students will use historical, social, and cultural contexts when creating their work. Students will explore career opportunities related to pottery.

Beginning: Students will learn the basics of planning projects from concept to completion, filming with video cameras, and editing with professional-level software. Students will not only learn the techniques of video production, but also gain an understanding of video theory.

Intermediate: Students will continue instruction in Video Production to include specific aspects of advanced editing functions, audio production, news stories, and narrative film production. The class will be project-based and prepare students to enter either Broadcast Journalism or Advanced Filmmaking courses.

This course is designed to enhance and build on skills learned in Video Production. Students will produce a regular broadcast video show for the student body to practice and develop skills in digital media, graphic design, and public speaking. Students will have the opportunity to create advanced video projects and develop advanced skills in video production.

This course is the most advanced offering in the video track. Over 2 semesters, students will learn how to write, produce, film, and edit short films. Emphasis on storytelling through screenwriting and translating it to visual narrative will challenge students to create thoughtful and powerful films by the end of the spring semester. This course will prepare students for careers in the film industry.

Pigskins & Picasso brings the GAC community together through the GAC Fine Arts and Athletic departments. The event features face painting, art classes, a delicious dinner from Tommy Ray’s Barbecue, and other fun activities. The event is followed by a varsity football game.

The annual Black and White Exhibition showcases the best visual artistry from GAC students of all ages, including paintings, drawings, ceramics, photography, videography and sculptures. This is a special tradition hosted in the Art & Design Center for the entire GAC community.