Visual Arts at Avon Old Farms School

Drawing offers a wide variety of drawing experiences with emphasis placed on art structure and technique. Assignments divided between the two semesters will include: contour, gesture, value, enlargement, perspective, design and figure. Materials introduced include pencil and colored pencil, charcoal, oil and chalk pastel, pen. Students will develop their observational and accuracy skills as they progress through the semester with a variety of assignments including still life, fantasy, self-portrait, perspective and landscape. Drawing II includes more complex applications of the above where students need to demonstrate understanding of line, value, basic color theory, pattern, proportion to succeed as they begin designing and composing more personal images.

This course is structured for the student to explore visual communication through 3-dimensional design and fabrication.  Fundamental elements and principles of sculpture are introduced, while also emphasizing the student’s individual artistic vision.  This is a ‘hands on’ studio course, using such materials as plaster, cement, air-dry clay, polymer clay, paper, and wood. Craftsmanship and creativity are stressed.  Major projects include both abstract  and figurative sculpture.

Darkroom Photography explores technical and artistic elements of film photography. Students learn black and white photographic film processes through the manual capture, manipulation, and creation of images. Students experiment with photograms, pinhole cameras, Holgas, and SLR cameras. They learn traditional dark room techniques in film and print processing before moving on to collage, multiple exposure, and other more advanced processes in Darkroom Photography II. In Darkroom Photography I and II students engage in an ongoing discussion of the history of photography and its role in society from inception through the modern day, knowledge of which allows them to effectively explore their own creative interests.

This course prepares students to examine and understand the world around them through a photographic lens.The course will focus on core photographic concepts as well as some more advanced techniques. The course will include hands-on demonstrations with the camera as well as basic and advanced digital image editing techniques. We will discuss the work of iconic photographers alongside your own photographs in order to better understand the fundamentals of composition to create compelling imagery.

This is the first level of woodworking at Avon. It is a shop centered class learning how to operate safely in a shop environment. You will learn how to use hand tools as well as power tools to shape rough sawn lumber into flat dimensional stock specific to each project. You will learn the basics of woodworking joinery completing  pre selected tasks in order to develop skill. The student will also learn the basics of google sketchup, a computer aided design program to draft projects.

Graphic design is the art of creating exciting visual content for problem solving and communication purposes. Combining art and technology, students in this course  will gain a foundation of basic graphic design elements and principles, become familiar with Adobe Photoshop, and will work on an array of creative projects requiring visual solutions. Project choices  to include magazine covers,  posters, advertisements and logos, typography, packaging, photoshopped images, and more.

(Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking)

This course builds on the basic skills learned in Intro to woodworking. It will focus on the study of design and construction of fine furniture. The student will design a small shaker table and build it  from hardwood sourced in the Avon Old Farms Schools forest. He will also complete a few small projects of his own design such as a small box or a turned bowl.

(Prerequisite: Woodworking 1)

Woodworking 2 will give students the opportunity to work more independently, further developing their design and woodworking skills. They will build upon their computer aided design skills to plan and shape each project from concept to completion. They will be expected to make more difficult projects and be more self motivated in this class.

(Prerequisite: Woodworking 2)

Advanced woodworking is a 3rd year class building on previous years in the shop. Each student should come prepared to accomplish projects of increasing difficulty with a longer time commitment.  The design process is much the same but expected to be more detailed. The student will operate in smaller class size with the opportunity to express their creativity while developing more skill in woodcraft. 

(advised prerequisite: Drawing)

Painting 1 is a hands-on studio course, where students will learn the fundamentals of painting approaches and techniques. Projects will include still lifes, (self) portraiture, landscapes, and more - working primarily with water mixable oil  paints and acrylics. Students are expected to understand relevant terminology, and learn various approaches to painting. Effective brush control, good compositional design and craftsmanship are all stressed. Original imagery is also emphasized, so photos taken with student’s cell phones could play a role.

This course is geared to help students explore the dynamic range studio photography offers. Students will learn how to generate a strong and diverse portfolio of images, ranging anywhere from fashion to sports photography. Students will learn various lighting techniques and apply them to their weekly projects.Students will also learn post processing techniques in photoshop and high-end retouching methods to help bring their images to life. Each week will build off the previous week as students will master various studio techniques. By the end of the year, each student will be a master in studio photography and in directing their own photoshoot, but most importantly, each student will be able to communicate what’s important to them through imagery.

Students take a minimum two years in the arts before signing up for AP and need permission from the teacher upon review of artwork for registration in the course. AP art students submit a portfolio of artwork of 15-20 images in May of their 2nd year in the course, demonstrating a fundamental competence of various visual strategies and methods, completing a process-driven, personal investigation on a theme. 2D Design portfolios include a mix of digital art, photography, graphic design, mixed media, drawing, illustration, etc. Conceptual images investigation the animal world, fantastical drawing, self-portraiture, narratives, objects and symbolism, and more. 

Drawing and Painting portfolios are more formal and focused on the demonstration of skill and concept in form, value, composition. Projects may include but not limited to themes around identity, social media, fantasy and illustration, portraiture, narrative, etc. 

Students in these courses are expected to work outside the classroom and beyond scheduled periods.

Students take a minimum of 2 years in the photographic arts (including digital photo and darkroom, as well as graphic design) before signing up for AP and need permission from the teacher upon review of artwork for registration in the course. These art students submit a portfolio of artwork of 15-20 images in May, demonstrating a fundamental competence of various visual strategies and methods, completing a process-driven, personal investigation on a theme. Class projects will include but not limited to straight photography using studio and on-site lighting methods, experimental and non-traditional printing methods such as cyanotype, photoshop manipulation for digital art, sculptural and more abstract variations on the purpose and concept of the photograph and meaning beyond the printed image.

Students in these courses are expected to work outside the classroom and beyond scheduled periods.