Pioneer High

In the Visual Arts Department students will be involved an art program of the highest caliber that fosters proficiency or above in meeting the California State Content Standards for Visual Art. Students will participate in an inquiry based and disciplined approach in making and understanding art through increasingly complex problems in materials, methods, art theories, art history, critical thinking, creativity and self-expression. Students will participate in art courses that meet the “f” requirement for California State and University admissions. In visual arts classes, due to the nature of the subject, students will not be restricted to “right/wrong” oriented answers to problems but will be encouraged to present many divergent but correct responses. In visual art, students are encouraged to make decisions and discover for themselves the results, as they will do in life after graduation.

9th – 12th Grade Courses

Color And Design

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Color and Design is a beginning art class in which students will gain an understanding of: vocabulary of art, color theory, right brain perception, perspective, drawing, painting and art history. This class provides students with a wide range of opportunities to experiment with materials such as pencil, oil pastel, watercolor, charcoal, prisma, clay etc. Material fees for the class are $10.00 per semester; financial aid is available. This class is the prerequisite for all other art classes offered and provides a sound foundation in the design principles and elements of art.

Art 1

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Student should have passed Color and Design.

Art 1 is a 2nd year art class where students will refine skills and concepts taught in the prerequisite and develop competencies in more complex and meaningful works in drawing, and painting. Students will experience opportunities to gain skills and knowledge in the following: art production, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and historical and cultural perspectives. Students will combine art theories, practice and critical thinking skills. Materials cost is $10.00 per semester and financial assistance is available. Students are encouraged to show their work publicly. This challenging curriculum will prepare students to take AP and/or more advanced levels of art.

10th – 12th Grade Courses

Art 2 SF321Y Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Students should have passed Art 1 with a grade of “C”, or approval of the instructor.

Art 2 is a 3rd year art class where students will use professional materials, such as acrylic painting, to express personal, social, historical and technical perspectives producing increasingly more complex and meaningful works in drawing, and painting. Students will solve artistic problems in creative and individual ways. Student artwork will be of a quality appropriate for AP portfolios and public displays. Many students may take this class concurrently with an AP class in order to create sufficient quality work or they may chose to take Art 2 as a stand-alone class. Materials cost is $10.00 per semester and financial assistance is available. This course will help students explore art as a fulfilling personal form of expression and a possible career.

3-D Design Graphics 1

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: : Student should have passed Color and Design. This is a 2nd year course focusing on the fundamentals of 3-Dimensional Design and Graphic Design. Students will work with a variety of materials such as clay, wood, metal, and plastics. Students will create projects using the basic techniques of sculpture, ceramics and printmaking. Projects are sequenced according to difficulty and require more skill as the course progresses. Materials cost is $10.00 per semester; financial assistance is available. Students will master the skills necessary to complete projects successfully and gain a sound understanding of 3-D and graphic design principles.

11th – 12th Grade Courses

Art 3

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Students should have passed Art 2 with a grade of “C”, or approval of the instructor.

Art 3 is a 4th year art class designed for individual specialization in subject matter, media selection, and historic contributions to the creative process. Many art problems are based on AP portfolio requirements (see College Boards). Students may choose to take this class as a stand-alone advanced level class or concurrently with an AP class. Students will work one to one with the instructor, focusing on quality, creativity and production using materials like oil painting, etching, or computer graphics. Materials cost is $10.00 per semester and financial assistance is available. Students will show their work publicly. Art 3 will prepare high performing art students for AP, college, and a lifelong enjoyment of making art.

3-D Design Graphics 2

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Student should have passed 3-D Design 1. This is a 3rd year intermediate course in 3- Dimensional Design and Graphic Design. Students will refine previously learned concepts and skills. The course will encourage students to explore their individual style and creativity. The course will explore in detail various sculpture, ceramic, and print making techniques to allow students a wide range of skills and experiences that will assist them in completing projects successfully. Students will be given more opportunity to create independent projects. Materials cost is $10.00 per semester; financial assistance is available. Students will gain a greater understanding of concepts and skills used in sculpture and graphic design and create original well-planned works of art.

Studio Art: Drawing AP

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Students must have a strong art background and have the approval of the AP instructor. Suggested as an 11th grade class. Note: Honors/AP application required. The Advanced Placement course in Studio Art: Drawing is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art. Students will build a portfolio reflecting three major concerns: 1) the evidence of quality in a student’s work; 2) the student’s concentration on a particular visual interest; and 3) the student’s demonstration of breadth of experience in formal, technical, and expressive means. Students will pay $83.00 for their AP Exam/portfolio; financial assistance is available. Students will submit their Drawing Portfolio to be evaluated by the College Board so it may be granted college or university credit in Drawing.

Studio Art: 2D Design AP

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Students must have a strong art background and have the approval of the AP instructor. Suggested as a 12th grade class. Note: Honors/AP application required. The Advanced Placement course in Studio Art: 2 D is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of Graphic Design. Students will build a portfolio reflecting three major concerns: 1) the evidence of quality in a student’s work; 2) the student’s concentration on a particular visual interest; and 3) the student’s demonstration of breadth of experience in formal, technical, and expressive means. Students will pay $83.00 for their AP Exam/portfolio; financial assistance is available. Students will submit their 2D Portfolio to be evaluated by the College Board so it may be granted college or university credit in 2D.

Studio Art: 3D Design AP

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Students must have a strong art background and have the approval of the AP instructor. Note: Honors/AP application required. The Advanced Placement course in Studio Art: 3D is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of sculpture. Students will build a portfolio reflecting three major concerns: 1) the evidence of quality in a student’s work; 2) the student’s concentration on a particular visual interest; and 3) the student’s demonstration of breadth of experience in formal, technical, and expressive means. Students will pay $83.00 for their AP Exam/portfolio; financial assistance is available. Students will submit their 3D Portfolio to be evaluated by the College Board so it may be granted college or university credit in 3D.