Visual Arts
The visual arts journey begins in elementary school where all students gain hands-on experience exploring the elements of art while doing projects tied to the school curriculum and Heritage months. Regularly students are exposed to world artists, and they learn how to assess their own work and others using art terminology. As they move to Middle school and High school, they have the opportunity to further develop their passion for the arts with a rigorous program of art classes and in addition an IB Art track.
Port Chester - Rye UFSD recognizes that visual arts are vital to a child's well-rounded education. In the visual arts students learn how to problem-solve, develop ideas and opinions. Students also learn how to collaborate, develop empathy, develop their motor skills, and the study of visual arts builds self-confidence.
I believe that creativity will be the currency of the 21st century.
-Gerald Gordon, Ph.D.
PCHS Art Program
Program Updates
Our Mission
The goal of the Art Department is to:
- Ensure students can COMMUNICATE VISUALLY
- Train students in the PHYSICALITY of artistic techniques
- Develop students’ ACTIVE THINKING through open-ended PROBLEM SOLVING
- Prepare students for the CREATIVE and VISUAL DEMANDS of the 21st century
2022-2023 Art Courses
Foundation Level
Introduction to Studio
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Studio in Art is a semester course. Students build a foundation for advanced art courses. It explores meaning through line, shape, color, texture, form, and perspective. These elements of art are experienced through projects employing the use of various media.
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Introduction to Design
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Introduction to Design is a semester course. Students are introduced to the concepts and processes associated with two- and three-dimensional design from our everyday world. Students study, analyze, and respond to the function and fundamental processes of design and demonstrate versatility with technique, problem solving, and ideation.
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Introduction to Media
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Introduction to Media is a semester course. described course introduces students to the creative and conceptual aspects of media arts production, including a range of techniques, genres and styles, mediums, and forms; such as moving image, sound, spatial, and interactive design. Topics may include development of ideas, synthesis of visual and sound components, production and presentation.
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Advanced Level
Drawing & Painting 1
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Drawing and Painting 1 is a semester course. This course focuses on the interrelationships that occur between drawing and painting using a variety of media and techniques, emphasizing observation and interpretation of the visual environment. This course will use various traditional media, that may include: pencil, charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, and watercolor.
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Drawing & Painting 2
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Drawing and Painting 2 is a semester course. This course builds on the skills learned in Drawing and Painting 1. This course will use various traditional media, that may include: acrylics, and oil painting.
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Advanced Studio
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Advanced Studio is a year-long course. This course focuses on the further development of artistic skills through the use of studio methods and artistic critique. Students will develop a cohesive portfolio of work that reflects their artistic voice. Students will have the opportunity to focus on digital and/or fine art mediums.
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Crafts
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Crafts is a semester course. This course explores the world of crafts. Students will have the opportunity to investigate sculpture and crafts on a smaller scale. Topics of study include various paper arts and sculpture, altered book creating, functional art, and metal arts.
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Sculpture
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Sculpture is a semester course. Students will learn about basic sculpture techniques and processes as well as explore the elements and principles of art. Students will have an opportunity to work with clay and other sculpture media. Topics of study include relief sculpture, recycled art, plaster arts, paper mâché, paper arts, and wire armature making.
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Digital Photography 1
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Photo 1 is a semester course. It is designed to give a foundation to photography as an art form. Students will learn the basics of composition and lighting in photography as well as the use of photography in the history of art.
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Digital Photography 2
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Photo 2 is a semester course. It is designed to advance student skills by investigating more challenging concepts and techniques. Students will learn about more advanced studio lighting equipment, post-processing skills, and creating a webfolio to showcase their works. Students will be introduced to contemporary photographers, digital artists, and more sophisticated techniques in order to create work that reflects the student’s concentration.
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International Baccalaureate Visual Art
IB Art 1
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IB Visual Arts-Year 1 is the first year of a two year course. This course allows students to develop aesthetic and creative investigations in various visual art forms. Students will develop an awareness and criticism of art through an in-depth comparative artwork analysis and studio work. The studio component uses a wide variety of materials and individual art projects that culminate in an art show the second year.
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IB Art 2
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IB Visual Arts-Year 2 is the second year of a two year course. This course focuses on the IB assessments including an investigation into the artistic process and student exhibition. The studio work will continue to use a variety of digital and/or fine art media and will include more independent work that culminates in an art show. During IB Visual Arts-Year 2, both Standard Level and Higher-Level options will be available to students.
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