A general overview of courses currently offered:

Art History
This semester course is an introduction to the general concepts and developments in Western art. Architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms representative of various periods are analyzed, including works from ancient, classical, medieval, Renaissance and modern eras. Students are given the tools to look critically at art through the ages to better understand the historical and cultural context for each period. Opportunities will be given to write about and analyze works from various historical periods.

Ceramics I
Beginning ceramics students are introduced to fundamental methods of forming clay including pinching, coil building and slab. After hand building is learned, the basic techniques of throwing on the potter's wheel are developed. Emphasis is placed on work that demonstrates craftsmanship and creativity. In this semester course, students learn the chemistry and nature of clay, terminology and definitions, ceramic art history, physics of materials, glaze mixing, and various types of firing and surface decoration.

Intermediate/Advanced Ceramics: The Wheel and Beyond
This course builds upon throwing techniques learned in Ceramics I, further exploring the technical aspects of ceramics. In addition to a focus on tableware, students explore ways that they can use the wheel to make sculptural and non-functional works.

Ceramics: Handbuilding
This course is for the student interested in investigating ceramics as a sculptural medium. The student must be dedicated to spending a year creating work made without the potter’s wheel. Handbuilding techniques learned in Ceramics I are expanded and alternative methods and materials are explored. Prerequisite: Ceramics I and/or the consent of the instructor.

Digital Photography
This semester course combines the usage of Photoshop with photography. Students will focus on manipulating digital photographs using their computer skills. An emphasis is placed on understanding compositional elements along with the cultural/social ramifications of imagery used in photography. The course is designed for students who are interested in using photography in a “painterly” manner to produce a body of work that focuses on thematic/conceptual ideas. Prerequisite: A semester of computer graphics and/or the consent of the instructor

Computer Graphics
This semester course is designed for both the future computer graphic designer as well as the fine artist who wants to use the computer as another design medium. In this course students will learn to feel comfortable working in the MacIntosh OS environment. Through various design exercises, students become familiar with the fundamentals of graphic design. After the first quarter the class dives deeper into some technical projects such as packaging design and business brochures as well as free flowing art projects with less structure. Adobe Photoshop CS2 is the key software program taught and used throughout the year course.

Advanced Computer Graphics
This course furthers the development of the artist/graphic designer. Some projects become more technical like working as design teams to build a corporate identity package, while others push the artist to become less technical and more introspective in their work. The students have the opportunity to design two professionally printed projects. One talented designer's work will be chosen as the image for advertising on the upcoming Jazz in the Pines fund raiser. Another designer will win the Idyllwild Arts T-shirt design competition. This T-shirt will be handed out to all students and faculty at enrollment for the following year. Students will mainly work in Adobe Photoshop CS2 but some In-Design CS2 and Illustrator CS2 will be taught also.

Drawing I - IV
The entry level drawing course emphasizes the basic drawing techniques and skills needed for
further work in various media. Students work on a variety of assignments designed to enhance basic drawing skills such as line quality, volume, description of space, shading and texture. Students work from still life as well as from models under both natural and artificial light conditions. The drawing media include pencil, charcoal, brush, ink and pastel.

Intermediate and advanced students concentrate on developing skills to explore their own potential for creating a unique personal style and attitude. Students are placed in levels at the discretion of the instructor. During the first semester of Advanced Drawing, seniors work closely with the instructor to expand their portfolios and prepare for college interviews. During the second semester, students continue to explore drawings through advanced special projects. Students that do not choose this option must enroll in another available studio course.

Mixed Media
This semester course emphasizes both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms, combining genres including collage, assemblage, sculpture, painting and drawing. A variety of materials are used including found objects, photographs and books. Students are introduced to a way of art making that is commensurate with contemporary art practices and exposed to the possibilities of non-traditional methods and materials.

New Genres
This is a semester course that incorporates a multi-media approach. Students combine computer skills with the genres of video, sound, installation and performance. Students will use formats such as Garage Band and i-Movie to produce short digital works that emphasize both form and concept. Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors only with a preference for basic computer skills and/or the consent of the instructor

Painting I
In this introductory course students learn technical skills required for representational and abstract painting. Watercolor and acrylic mediums are introduced and elements of color theory and composition are emphasized. Various methods and approaches are used to explore the objective and expressive potential of painting. Students work from the model and still life to develop skills in painting light, shadow and three-dimensional forms. Students work on paper and canvas and learn to build canvas supports. Class critiques are used as one method of evaluating performance and progress.

Painting II - IV
Upper-level painting courses focus on continued development of painting skills, the acquisition of historical knowledge and understanding of painting styles. Oil painting may be introduced depending upon the instructor. Traditional and non-traditional methods are explored and emphasis is placed on the role of painting and its relationship to other contemporary visual art practices. Students develop a body of work that focuses on themes and ideas to be presented in senior shows and for application to colleges and art schools. Class critiques are scheduled to evaluate performance and progress. Placement in all painting classes is at the discretion of the instructor.

Photography I - IV
All photography courses focus on the use of the photographic medium as a means of personal expression and communication. A combination of lecture, discussion, critique, slide presentation and extensive studio work enables students to thoroughly explore the potential of the medium and to develop a coherent portfolio of images.

Beginning level classes provide students with a thorough understanding of the camera and allow extensive opportunity to work with basic darkroom processes and techniques. Intermediate level classes deal with advanced exposure and printing techniques, archival processing, alternative processes and hand coloring. All classes emphasize an intense exploration of the conceptual ideas, visual elements and technical skills needed to produce a fine photographic image. Students are placed in levels at the discretion of the instructor.

Portfolio/Senior Exhibitions
This semester course assimilates students' work from all mediums into a coherent portfolio suitable for application to college or art school. College and career counseling, assistance with the application process and presentations from art schools and colleges are offered. Students learn to document work in slide form, and to edit and sequence work into the strongest possible presentation. Students both read and write art criticism in order to expand their critical analytical skills. They also begin work on their artist statements. The second semester is devoted specifically towards developing thematic ideas and work for the senior exhibitions, including completion of artist statements. Students are responsible for the installation of their own work in the exhibition space.

Beginning Sculpture
Beginning sculpture is structured to give the students an overview of sculpture and to cover specific aspects of 3d work including simple and complex forms, subtractive work, contest, found objects; and work in a variety of mediums and methods including plaster, clay, stone, metal, wood, basic casting techniques wire forms, stone carving and welding. The students are also introduced to hand and power tools, and general shop practice. They are assessed periodically so that by the end of the year they have a good theoretical and practical understanding of these materials and methods required in the making of sculptural forms.

Advanced Sculpture
Advanced sculpture is an extension of the beginning class with a stronger emphasis on the development of ideas. To encourage this students are required to work on semester long projects which have a strong conceptual framework. This framework is re-enforced by a series of proposals and timelines, which are refined in critiques. During these critiques each student gets input from the rest of the class as to the feasibility of the project and its conceptual range, and once this process is completed they can begin their projects. Most of these projects are studio based and can include installation and mixed media, but they are also encouraged to work outside and understand the history, topography, and ecosystems of their locale.

At the end of each semester they are assessed in six basic areas: the quality of the work, shop practice, participation in critiques, a presentation on a contemporary artist, how they have fulfilled deadlines mapped out in the proposal, and the contents of a binder that documents the whole process in words and images.

Screen Printing
Also called silk-screen printing or serigraphy, this course introduces students to a form of printmaking that uses the stencil process to reproduce images. Using film stencils and photosensitive emulsions, students make multiple reproductions of their work using both monochromatic and multiple color combinations. Printing is done on various surfaces including paper, canvas and fabric. Bookmaking is introduced as a potential means to present multiple images.

Supplies
The department provides many of the basic materials such as clay, photo chemicals, paper, canvas, gesso, wood, steel, etc. Students are responsible for other essential materials such as brushes, camera, paint, pencils, photo paper, pottery tools, etc.