Visual Arts

Elementary Art

The elementary art program introduces the student to a broad range of artists inspiring appreciation through total experience. Elementary art teacher, Donna Richardson, promotes understanding and enjoyment through observation, history, biography, music and hands on experience. Art activities in the studio include sketching, sculpture, portraiture, collage, Asian brushwork and more. These contain exploration in resist, wash, texture, shadow and light, symmetry, value, patterns, movement, abstract composition, realism, impressionism and others. Each art activity is geared toward individuality, creativity and success!

Elementary artists have attended the ballet, sketched animals at the Fort Worth Zoo and flowers at the Arboretum, observed the Mondrian exhibit at the Dallas Museum and built individual projects with the Home Depot to further enhance the curriculum. PCA will host the District ACSI 2012 Art Festival.

Middle School Art

The main focus of the our program is to develop a firm understanding of the elements and principles of design, explore different types of media, developing skills to produce a various works of art, and encourage students to exercise their creativity. We provide sequential studies in drawing, painting, design, printmaking, and 3D art. Along with creating art, students will learn about Art History.

High School Art

Courses offered below:

Art I

Students will learn drawing, painting, design, and printmaking on an introductory level. Curriculum will be based on a basic understanding of the elements and principles of design. In addition to learning to create art, students will learn about Art History and how to evaluate art from a Christian worldview. There will be at least one field trip and attendance is required.

Advanced Art

• Prerequisite Art 1

Students are encouraged to use knowledge of materials, imagery and technique to develop a personal voice in their work. Ideas and digital records are utilized in class to record the process of art-making. Art History and Art Appreciation are a vital aspect of advanced study. There will be at least one field trip and attendance is required. A portfolio of prep work and exploration of ideas is developed during the course. The portfolio work is formally documented in digital format and prints of all work are maintained in a working notebook. Students may take 2-D design or drawing courses for AP credit during their senior year.

3-D Ceramics and Sculpture

3-D design is an art course designed to instruct students in the fundamental components of sculptural and ceramic art. This course will include the study of building vessels and sculpture from clay and other materials. The second semester includes the study of sculpture-in-the-round and relief sculpture, focusing on mass, weight, and balance. Students will research and discover various styles and problems in three-dimensional art. Media included will be wood, clay, cardboard, paper, paper maché, etc. Styles highlighted will be Realism, Abstraction, and Geometric form. There will be at least one field trip and attendance is required.

Advanced Ceramics and Sculpture

• Prerequisite 3-D

Students are instructed in advanced techniques, concepts and design theories in the creative process. Typical themes include form, function, composition, content, and presentation. Students study the history of art and use a variety of media and technologies. A portfolio of prep work and exploration of ideas is developed during the course. The portfolio work is documented in a digital format and prints of all work are maintained in a notebook. Students who wish to further refine their three-dimensional art skills may take 3-D Design III. Students may take 3-D design courses for AP credit during their senior year.

Advanced Placement Portfolio
AP courses offered—Drawing, Design and 3-D

• Prerequisites: Art 1 and Advanced Art

Advanced Portfolio will be open to students who have shown a true proficiency in art and would consider pursuing further study on the college level. The course would follow the requirements handed down by the Educational Testing Service in order to take the portfolio exam: The AP Studio Art-3D, Drawing or Design. Advanced Placement in any of the three areas provide students the opportunity to investigate three main components of their work– Quality, Concentration and Breadth. These components represent an on-going process that, by the very nature of creative exploration, combines a continual pursuit of technical excellence, a problem solving approach to visual interpretations and a disciplined endeavor toward personal expression of ideas and interests. The AP Studio Breadth portion of class provides students with structure and atmosphere for exploration and development of personal interests, ideas and an individual voice. The final Quality and Concentration sections must culminate in a visually cohesive exploration of a theme or idea. A portfolio of prep work and exploration of ideas is developed during the course. A visual portfolio is formally documented in digital format and prints of all work are maintained in a working notebook.

Photography I

This course will introduce students to the basic elements of photography which include basic camera operations, composition, lighting, and digital imaging. Along with learning how to take pictures; students will become familiar with Photoshop as a tool to help enhance and manipulate photographs.

Advanced Photography

Prerequisite Photography I.  This course will reinforce and further concepts taught in Photography I. There will be at least one field trip for advanced photography students.