Studies expand artistic literacy as a means to create your individual expression and communication.

Curriculum Expectations

To embrace creative problem solving and visual communications while developing individual expressions within content, image and message.
To analyze interdisciplinary connections that influence social and cultural contexts of visual imagery.
To develop and support a personal philosophy of art based on aesthetic theories and understanding of visual culture.

State Standards Course Content

Business of Arts and Communications
A growing number of professionals make a living in industries related to arts and communications. From event management to tracking expenses, students learn the business side of visual arts.

Visual Creation
A keen eye for detail, art elements, design principles and styles of art are essential to the world of visual communications. Students learn proper composition with such principles as color theory, typography and drawing.

Visual Design Primer
Visual design takes the form of charts, drawings, prototypes and more. In this first course for the Visual Design and Imaging pathway, students gain a perspective of symbols, typography and product output.

Advertising and Communication
Creators and producers of graphic images must understand how to integrate and adapt creations for multiple marketing purposes. Students research and analyze the power of visuals in advertising campaigns and public relations events.

Art, in itself, allows the artist to visually communicate meaning and or message through images/ideas, concepts, emotions, reflection, social awareness, political awareness, personal conviction and self-expression.

Artists can use a variety of studio methods including drawing, painting, design, sculpture, mixed-media, photography and digital imaging.

Artists may choose to be realistic, stylized, conceptual and or abstract through their interpretation, observation and depiction of multiple images. These may include objects, people, nature, conscious & unconscious thought, social and world events.

Artists can use an assortment of materials including oils/watercolors/acrylics paints, mixed-mediums, pastels, pencils, pen / ink, photography, plaster, clay and computers programs.

Career Opportunities

Fine Art | Graphic Design | Illustration | Advertising | Product Design | Animation | Art Education | Art History | Architecture | Display Design | Painting | Digital Media | Interior Design | Photography | Art Direction | Freelance Artist | Urban Landscape Design | User Experience | User Interface Design

The concepts I learned help me with everyday tasks at my job today; being able to easily communicate with a sketch or quickly make decisions regarding anything visually related are just a few examples of how my art background has helped me in my career.
My classes taught me valuable skills I use every day in my career; drawing, concepting, color & composition, but more importantly an ability to take critique and use it to make the final product better.
The program provided unique opportunities for me to study oil painting techniques and observational drawing, and to understand my creative work within a larger art historical content.
The program I took taught me to approach each project with confidence, an open mind and attention to detail. This framework, paired with the technical skills I developed, have been invaluable.
I discovered learning for the first time in Mr. Whitely’s classroom. I try to create a similar environment in my own classroom; one which ideas are developed, things get messy, and risks are encouraged.