THE ARTS - VISUAL ARTS
"During my time at Long Trail, I have learned about calculus and biology and a myriad of other things I need to survive or just want to know. But behind all this, there is something of greater importance, something that is not a mere life skill or piece of knowledge, but something that makes life livable. Long Trail has taught me the value of originality and of creating something of your own." Matt Britton '04, Pawlet
Long Trail's strong visual and performing arts offer it all. From silk-screen printing to building a set or singing in a musical, there is an artistic opportunity for everyone. The arts are central to our curriculum, teaching students to think outside the box, to empathize with others and to express themselves in new ways. Most of all, students have fun being creative. We offer 27 courses in art, drama, and music as well as other art-based activities in which students can participate. Options range from studio art, ceramics, and photography to classes in acting, music, and technical theatre. Students exhibit in local art galleries and perform in local, regional, and state music and drama festivals as well as in the community. The flexibility of electives allows them to explore new interests, gain new skills, and experiment.
Visual arts courses for students in grades six to eight combine work in variety of media with art history. These full-year courses are a great way to explore talents and interests. Art offerings for students in grades nine through 12 include four full-year studio art courses and the opportunity to prepare an advanced portfolio of work in AP Studio Art. Semester electives include architecture, ceramics, graphic arts, and photography.
THE ARTS FACULTY
THE ARTS - VISUAL ARTS OFFERINGS
1 st Semester ½ -1 credit
DRAWING is a basic communication and art skill. Like writing, it is a means of conveying what and how we see to others. Everyone has the ability, but everyone needs to learn what to observe and how to go about it. And everyone needs practice. In this class, we will learn the basics of drawing and experiment with different techniques and media. This is a critical course for anyone interested in more advanced art classes.
2 nd Semester ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Drawing
DESIGN 1 is a hands-on introduction to two-dimensional art and design techniques. Students explore elements of art and principles of design in drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, and computer animation. They examine the many ways that 2-D art shapes their everyday lives to broaden their understanding.
1 st Semester ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Design 1
DESIGN 2 is a hands-on introduction to three-dimensional art. Students explore elements of art and principles of design in fine art sculpture, architecture, ceramics, industrial design, and packaging. They examine the many ways that 3-D art shapes their everyday lives to broaden their understanding.
2 nd Semester ½ -1 credit, prerequisite Design 2
ART ENRICHMENT: OPEN STUDIO ART lets student and teacher work together to create a structured course of study geared to student interest. Students hone their art skills and explore mediums and imagery for personal enrichment.
Full year ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Design 1
COMPUTER GRAPHICS introduces students to the development of artwork on the computer through the use of various animation programs and techniques. Students learn the same progression that professionals use to illustrate animated stories. They create stories, break them down into small scenes, learn art techniques that enable them to convey the spatial and emotional qualities of each scene, and hand draw visual storyboards. Finally, they create the animation on the computer producing an animated story that viewers understand.
Full year ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Design 1
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY introduces students to the medium and to photo enhancement and manipulation with computer software. Students develop a portfolio of images.
Full year ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Design 1
PAINTING focuses on skill building in watercolors and acrylics and, if a student wishes, oils.
Full year ½ -1 credit, prerequisite: Design 2
ARCHITECTURE students investigate the art of architecture at an advanced level. They survey historical style development and construction techniques and materials. Students plan, design, and build models of their own structures.
Full year 1 credit or Semester 1/2 credit, 10th-12th grades or with teacher approval
ART & TECHNOLOGY students use modern technologies in making art, incorporating computer-generated or manipulated imagery, focusing on fine arts as created with mixed and/or multimedia.
Full year 1 credit or Semester 1/2 credit, 10th-12th grades
CERAMICS students learn to create art with clay.
Full year 1 credit or Semester 1/2 credit, 10th-12th grades or with teacher approval
PAINTING focuses on skill building in watercolors and acrylics and, if a student wishes, oils.
Full year 1 credit, 11-12th grade with instructor approval
AP ART focuses on building an AP Studio Art portfolio. Students learn processes of selecting, making final, and presenting the portfolio and exploring future careers.
Full year 1 credit or Semester 1/2 credit, 10th-12th grades or with teacher approval
SCULPTURE students use a variety of mediums and techniques, both additive and subtractive, in this advanced class in the art of sculpture.
Full year 1 credit, 10th-12th grades
PRACTICAL ART HISTORY 1 is an interdisciplinary examination of the visual arts from the early Renaissance to Impressionism and Expressionism. Students explore with hands-on projects for a greater understanding of historical techniques and art concepts.
Full year 1 credit, 10th-12th grades, prerequisite Practical Art History 1
PRACTICAL ART HISTORY 2 is an interdisciplinary examination of the visual arts of Surrealism, Modern Art, Contemporary Realism, and Social Art. Students explore with hands-on projects for a greater understanding of historical techniques and art concepts.
Full year 1 credit, 12th grade, prerequisite Practical Art History 1 & 2
PRACTICAL ART HISTORY 3 is an interdisciplinary examination of the visual arts of different cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, African, Indonesian, and Australian. Students explore with hands-on projects for a greater understanding of historical techniques and art concepts.
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