Art Program Guide Faculty

The Art program offers two different prerequisite courses to all students. Art Foundations introduces students to the major elements and principles of design through a variety of artistic experiences with a focus on art production. Graphic Communications 1 also introduces students to the elements and principles of design, but uses the Adobe Creative suite and other digital media to explore both art and digital design. Once students successfully complete one of these courses with a C- or above, they are provided with many elective choices to further their education in art and design. Students can enroll in a variety of semester and full-year courses that explore and develop skills in a variety of media. Honors and advanced placement courses provide challenging options. All art students are expected to have a serious attitude and personal commitment to their artwork. Partnership students can choose a Graphic Communications Major. (For more information on the Partnership Program, see the Technology section of the WRHS Educational Guide.) 

WRHS students must earn five credits in the arts to graduate.

Art Program Overview

Art Foundations (5 credits)

Graphic Communications 1 (5 credits)

Ceramics 1 (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This is a concentrated course in the basic techniques of working with clay. This course will concentrate on pinch, slab, and coil-building techniques as well as glazing and firing clay artwork. This course will include an exploration of a range of historical and contemporary ceramics and ceramic artists through presentations and student research. Students are required to keep a sketchbook and to complete homework assignments. 

Ceramics 2 (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

A more advanced course for students who want to further develop their skills using clay to create artwork. Students will spend a portion of the class learning to use the pottery wheel to create vessels. Advanced hand-building, surface and glaze techniques will be explored throughout the course. Students will gain greater knowledge and experience in studio practices such as kiln firings, recycling clay and glaze testing. Students are required to keep a sketchbook and complete homework assignments. 

Digital Illustration  (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This is a great course for both students of the digital arts and students who would like to explore computer art for the first time. Students will try both Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop to explore creative capabilities of the software and become more familiar with the digital arts. Graphic and painterly styles will be introduced. Students can scan previously completed artwork and try a digital interpretation. Creativity, exploration, and open minds are encouraged. Drawing tablet techniques will also be a part of the course.

Digital Photography (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This course introduces students to digital photography. Students learn camera basics as well as creative aspects of photography. Multiple genres of photography are covered, and students spend most long blocks taking pictures on photography walks near to the Wachusett campus, as weather permits. Students try their hands at photojournalism by taking pictures for the school newspaper. Photoshop image correction and enhancement techniques are covered. Students are encouraged to bring their own camera, although a  limited number of “point & shoot” cameras are available.

Drawing 1  (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

Learning to draw means observing the visual properties of forms and the spaces they occupy. This course will focus on a variety of drawing techniques and materials that will reinforce skills needed to improve observational and imaginative design. Students who take this course will not be eligible for Honors Drawing and Painting 1.

Drawing 2  (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

A more advanced course for students particularly interested in art. A more in-depth level of drawing will be conducted through various drawing concepts, media, and styles. Class emphasis is life drawing.

Exploring Fine Arts: Visual Art  (2.5 credits) 

This is a collaborative class for beginning students and advanced art students. Students will explore the elements of art and principles of design through hands-on experiences with art creation and production. Students will work both two- and three-dimensionally. A small number of advanced art students will be accepted into the class as classroom learning assistants. The CLAs will assist students to create art and prepare materials, as well as develop lessons and study educational theory. Students with an interest in art education, special education, art therapy, and similar careers are encouraged to apply only through Naviance.

Painting 1 (2.5 credits)  

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

A course designed to explore the basic techniques of painting.  A variety of methods and materials such as acrylic, tempera, & watercolor will be utilized to explore color mixing, color/design, observational painting, art history and master artist styles.  Students who take this course will not be eligible to take Honors Drawing and Painting 1.

Painting 2 (2.5 credits)

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

A more advanced and intensive course for those interested in learning traditional painting methods and techniques. Additional emphasis will be placed on personal investment to explore thematic compositions, portraiture, still-life, and various surface approaches.

Printmaking  (2.5 credits)

Prerequisite Required(s) - See Above

This exploratory course uncovers the painterly printmaker in all of us. Students will learn a variety of printmaking processes such as monotype, intaglio, relief, and other experimental methods. This course is an opportunity to combine your interest in drawing and painting with both invented imagery and direct observation, while sustaining the search for a personal, visual direction. 

Sculpture (2.5 credits)

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This course is an exploration of art in three dimensions. The emphasis of this course is on the development of skills and creativity in the use of materials such as clay, stone, plaster, wood, found objects, and wire. Projects will focus on representational and abstract subject matter, and give students exposure to historical and contemporary artists. This course will broaden and reinforce the students’ understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. The important learning processes of creative problem solving and critical thinking will also be emphasized.

Graphic Communications 2 (5 credits) 

This is an advanced class in computer graphics for students who want to further develop their skills in graphic design and visual expression. In addition, students design and layout the school newspaper, and create posters for WRHS theatrical productions.  Beginning animation techniques will be introduced. Students are expected to be self-motivated and able to meet deadlines. Preference will be given to students in Grades 10-11. This is a required course for students in the Wachusett Partnership Program Graphics major, but students do not need to be in the WPP to take the course.

Graphic Communications 3 (2.5 credits)

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This course offers opportunity for the advanced graphics student who has completed two years of graphics communications and is looking to continue studying through semi-independent, individual projects. This course will meet every other day concurrently with Graphic Communications II.

Honors Drawing and Painting 1 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This course covers the curriculum of Drawing I and Painting I at an honors level. It is not open to students who have previously taken Drawing I or Painting 1. Honors Drawing and Painting I students are self-motivated, have keen observational drawing skills, and are driven to develop their visual abilities at an accelerated pace. Students will work with a variety of media and techniques and will explore a range of methods and approaches in two dimensions. Students are required to complete weekly homework assignments that include working from observation, visual problem solving and independent study. Sketchbooks will be used for class notes, preliminary drawings, and research.

Portfolio Prep (2.5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

This rigorous course challenges the serious art student with experiences in mixed media, drawing, and painting. This course will help students develop their portfolio or prepare them for the Advanced Placement Art and Design/ Drawing Portfolio. Students will explore thematic approaches and personal methods of working. Portfolio Prep (H) runs at an accelerated pace and requires a series of works to be completed outside of class, in addition to keeping a sketchbook throughout the semester.

AP Art and Design/Drawing Portfolio (5 credits) 

Prerequisite(s) Required - See Above

The AP exam contains two sections. The Sustained Investigation section requires you to conduct an inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation and revision. Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision guided by questions. (AP College Board, 2019)