VISUAL ARTS

Our Visual Arts program has a tradition of encouraging students to produce high quality student work in drawing and painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture which raises awareness and builds community.

VISUAL ARTS 8
MVA--08
Students will work with a variety of art making approaches in order to discover where their personal strengths and interests lie. They will learn basic hand-building pottery techniques to create a facetted ceramic pot, practice their still life-drawing skills to document their creative process, and design and carve abstract compositions into stamps to make pendants, ornaments, and plates. It is expected that students will grow more conscious of the elements and principles of design present in their own decision-making. Students will also learn about the historical and contemporary developments in Art when they collaborate on an Indigenous Northwest Coast design inquiry unit. Success in the course requires students to take creative risks and access the ceramics studio at lunch if they fall behind. This course will be offered to all grade 8’s during the fine arts rotation.

Visual Arts 9: Studio Arts 2D MVA—09CR
Visual Arts 10: Studio Arts 2D MVAD-10
Studio Arts 11: Studio Arts 2D MVAD-11
Studio Arts 12: Studio Arts 2D MVAD-12
These courses focus primarily on 2D Art. Students will be introduced to a variety of drawing and painting techniques such as life-drawing, block-printing, photomontage, portrait drawing, constructing dioramas, paper cutting, and graphic design projects. Some other techniques may include weaving, sewing, Indigenous beadwork, needle point, assemblage, and felting. Some of the materials include graphite, spray paint, oil pastels, charcoal, ink, acrylic paint, and wool. They will become acquainted with the historical and contemporary developments in the art world as well as what careers are available in the arts. Depending on availability, an art gallery tour will be provided. Success in the course requires students to be well organized, self-disciplined, motivated, and creative.

Visual Arts 9: Studio Arts 3D MVA—09DA
Visual Arts 10: Studio Arts 3D MVAC-10
Studio Arts 11: Studio Arts 3D MVAC-11
Studio Arts 12: Studio Arts 3D MVAC-12
These courses focus primarily on hand-building with clay but may also include felting, leather-work, and Indigenous beadwork. They will become familiar with the historical, cultural, and contemporary developments in ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry-making while fostering their own unique style and interests. A growing awareness of the elements and principles of design will influence their creative process. Projects may include vases, planters, mugs, wind-chimes, teapots, rice bowls, tea light lanterns, chopstick holders, plates, platters, soya sauce dishes and dispensers, sculpted figurines, pendants, earrings, key chains, brooches, and ornaments. Depending on availability, an art gallery tour will be provided during the course. Students are encouraged to produce expressive and well-crafted pieces.

PHOTOGRAPHY 11: MVAPH11
PHOTOGRAPHY 12: MVAPH12
No previous experience in photography is necessary—all levels are welcome in this class. Students will learn how to set an exposure so their camera can capture what their eyes see; how to read a photo and identify what makes it “good”; and how to use Photoshop and Lightroom to add creative flair to their own work. They will go on photo walks, field trips, and participate in contests where they may win cash prizes or have their work exhibited in a gallery. We will study photographers past and present to help students discover their own style and inspire them to take creative risks. This is a very hands-on class: there are daily activities with props and equipment that will allow students to apply their new skills and insights, building their creative confidence. Students who do not have a camera can easily borrow one from the school.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION 10 YCCT-0C
ANNUAL PRODUCTION 11 YCCT-1C
ANNUAL PRODUCTION 12 YCCT-2C
This is a rewarding, hands-on class for grade 10-12 students interested in graphic design; photography; publishing; advertising and marketing; and/or journalism. Over the course of the year, students will work collaboratively to create a quality yearbook that reflects the school year in photos. They will come up with unique page ideas; they’ll learn to use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom; they’ll have access to digital cameras to document school life and events; and they’ll study graphic design to create attractive pages. Students should be mature, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as in a team.