Visual Arts

In Art Around the World, students in the sixth grade explore the art of various cultures as well as personal definitions of art. In the process, students practice basic technical skills, preparing them for further study.

In seventh grade, students examine the elements of art. They consider how these elements--Line, Color, Shape, Form, Texture, Value, and Space--are essential to create and understand a successful work of art. Students practice identifying these elements in the work of professional artists and consciously experiment with them in their own work. Students continue to build upon their technical skills, as they encounter various art mediums.

Students in the eighth grade focus on the principles of design. They learn to identify and reproduce these principles - Balance, Emphasis,  Proportion, Unity and Rhythm, Contrast, Harmony, Repetition,  Movement, Pattern, Variation - when creating works of their own or critiquing the work of other artists. Students practice manipulating the principles of design in order to express a specific idea in both 2D and 3D materials.

The ninth grade art course builds upon the Elements of Art and  Principles of Design that are covered in the 7th and 8th grades. With that  knowledge, students are able to begin to create artwork in a voice and  style of their own. Through the practice and application of foundational  skills in both 2D and 3D mediums, students build up a repertoire of multiple art disciplines that prepare them for working at the high school  level.

Students enter tenth grade with a sound understanding of various art  media. In previous courses they have practiced drawing, painting,  ceramics, and printmaking. In this course, students fine tune their artistic  skill set, explicitly referencing previous knowledge and experiences in  their coursework. They further explore advanced printmaking and  sculpture techniques, while incorporating concepts of creativity and self expression, and confront the challenge to add original thought to their  work.

In Studio Art the budding artist, yearning to express his or her distinctive ideas, finds the opportunity to develop from a practicing introductory artist to an intermediate or beginning/advanced artist. Studio art provides students with a variety of choice art materials and supportive instruction. The course also introduces students to important artists in the modern and contemporary art movements.

*Please note Boston Trinity’s ninth and tenth grade art courses or their equivalent are prerequisites for this class.

AP Studio Art courses are designed for students who are seriously  interested in the practical experience of art making at the college level. A  student’s AP score is based on a portfolio that is comprised of 15  finished artworks. The artworks in the portfolio are based on process and documentation of a sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. The drawing portfolio must demonstrate a synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using drawing skills.

Because of the volume of work created during the course and the level  of instruction, students experience a dramatic growth in their abilities. This class is designed for those students interested in creating a portfolio to use in the college application process or for those who are passionate about the visual arts.

AP Studio Art courses are designed for students who are seriously  interested in the practical experience of art making at the college level. A student’s AP score is based on a portfolio that is comprised of 15  finished artworks. The artworks in the portfolio are based on process  and documentation of a sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. The drawing portfolio must demonstrate a synthesis of materials, processes and ideas using 2D art and design skills. 

Because of the volume of work created during the course and the level  of instruction, students experience a dramatic growth in their abilities. This class is designed for those students interested in creating a portfolio to use in the college application process or for those who are passionate about the visual arts. 

AP Studio Art courses are designed for students who are seriously  interested in the practical experience of art making at the college level. A  student’s AP score is based on a portfolio that is comprised of 15  finished artworks. The artworks in the portfolio are based on process  and documentation of a sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. The 3D portfolio must demonstrate a synthesis of materials, processes and ideas using 3D art and design skills. 

Because of the volume of work created during the course and the level  of instruction, students experience a dramatic growth in their abilities.  This class is designed for those students interested in creating a portfolio to use in the college application process or for those who are passionate  about the visual arts.