The goal of computer graphics is to harness the eye of the artist with the power of the computer. Students move from 2-dimensional design work to 3-D mechanical and natural pieces to animation and then video. Programs used include Adobe Photoshop, Bryce 3D, iMovie, and iDVD. Students learn skill sets and then create “real world” projects to integrate these skills.

In addition to the above yearlong course, students also can choose from a trimester workshop where they learn introductory skills in Adobe Photoshop and 3-D software before attempting to create realistic projects to integrate these skills.

Pottery

Senior Denise Sprague's ('07) 19" ceramic vase (on right) was juried into the Friends of the Arts show at Plymouth State University. Shannon Doherty '08 and Susan Ngai '08 both received Honorable Mention in the ceramics category for their 19" vases.

In beginning pottery, students learn to throw on the potter's wheel and practice basic techniques of hand building functional pottery. The emphasis in beginning pottery is learning how to work with clay to produce technically sound pottery. A series of projects is assigned, each product evolving in complexity.

Mastery comes with practice and much of advanced pottery is spent practicing. Learning to throw on the wheel is a complex skill requiring manual skills and the ability to concentrate. Students continue with hand building, and some sculpture techniques are introduced.

Photography

Paul Algate's '07 black and white photo "Norway Streets" (on left) was juried into the Friends of the Arts show at Plymouth State University.

Beginning photography introduces students to the fundamental processes of black and white photography, including proper negative exposure, processing techniques for those negatives and creating increasingly refined prints. Students learn about darkroom chemistry and the use of equipment. Assignments focus on developing technical skills and personal vision. The beginning photographer also learns about alternative processes and digital printing.

Advanced photography students continue building on the skills and experiences introduced in beginning photography. Assignments focus on the development of students' sense, awareness, and proficiency with equipment and processes as well as their expressive properties and applications. Emphasis is on the effective use of tools and materials as well as students' use of visual art elements and concepts in the communication of ideas, intentions, and/or emotions, on themselves as artists and others as viewers. In-class critique and discussion is used to continually encourage and develop constructive dialogue between students as artists and viewers.

Studio Art

Studio art encompasses basic drawing skills, beginning with the use of fundamental drawing tools (pencil and charcoal) and working on contour drawing, rendering basic forms, and reproducing accurate proportion, perspective, light, and shadow. An introduction to watercolor and/or acrylic painting, learning the nuances of each medium, follows. Later, students concentrate on sculptural work. Students will apply their developing sense of form, line, color, and composition to a new three-dimensional approach.

Advanced studio art continues with the development of students' two- and three-dimensional related skills with a greater emphasis on those medium(s) of particular interest to each student. The bulk of student work is aimed at developing a sense, awareness, and proficiency with the tools at their disposal as well as their expressive properties and applications. In-class critique and discussion is used to continually encourage and develop constructive dialogue between students as artists and viewers.

College Portfolio Art

This is offered to advanced students interested specifically in applying to an art college or university as an art major or minor. The course focuses on further developing and assembling a body of each student's work that most thoroughly showcases their abilities and experiences as young artists. Students will be assisted in preparing a portfolio for submission with their college applications.