Fine Arts

Quick Facts

Overview

The Fine Arts Department at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School offers students an opportunity to experience the Arts in a positive and nurturing environment. While providing the knowledge of basic skills, the essence of self-confidence and the value of historical content, each student is encouraged to share their talents with their school and community. It is through exposure to the Arts, that students will protect their heritage and relationship with past, present and future cultures and to insure the growth of well-rounded individuals within our society.

Philosophy

The Fine Arts Department at Our Lady Of Mercy Catholic High School offers students an opportunity to experience the Arts in a positive and nurturing environment. While providing the knowledge of basic skills, the essence of self-confidence, and the value of historical content, each student is encouraged to share their talent with their school and community. It is through exposure to the Arts that students will protect their heritage and relationship with the past, present, and future cultures and insure the growth of well-rounded individuals within our society.

We hold the Arts in the highest regard and delight in the discovery of each student’s individual talents.

Goals

Through participation in the Arts, students will gain a mastery of skills according to their individual talents, and an understanding of the place the Arts hold in history and today’s society. They will experience the Arts through classroom instruction, self-expression, individual achievement, and group performances. Fine Arts students will participate in a sequential program that stresses skills, training, knowledge of history, and terminology, and appreciation.

Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between the Arts and other subjects in the curriculum through interdisciplinary performances and exhibits.

Students will share their knowledge and experience in the Arts with the school and community and realize a personal enrichment through their growth and development of skills and abilities.

meet the faculty

Course Offerings

Survey of the Visual Arts

Art Appreciation

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This is an introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the greatest achievements of world painting, sculpture, and architecture, with works that have inspired people of all cultures throughout time. Art Appreciation will encourage students to question the nature of art and its relevance to daily life; it will introduce students to the elements and principles of design, focusing their attention through thematic projects and research.

Prerequisite: none

Drawing and Painting I

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This class has been structured to emphasize the technical and logistical aspects of drawing and painting, in order to give each student the tools to be able to explore their personal thematic approach. It will reinforce the foundation of visual art: the elements and principles of design and visual vocabulary.

The beginning of the semester emphasizes drawing techniques that investigate line, value, shape, texture, color and composition color theory and basic technical aspects of drawing and painting (use of medium, emphasis on palette work, mark making). The remainder of the semester emphasizes instruction in more sophisticated methods of development of the painting, preparatory drawings completed in a larger format that help expand how to use subject matter from various sources, and presentations on both historical and contemporary artists that inform and empower each students towards recognizing the myriad ways that painting can be used to communicate an idea or philosophy. Students describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate artwork during written and verbal critiques. The course synthesizes previous knowledge and challenges students to think creatively, and critically, and develops confidence in visual problem solving and communication.

Prerequisite: none

Fine Arts-50.0213711 Drawing and Painting II (Elective) (S)

Offered to 10th-12th grade students

Drawing and Painting II

Offered to 10th-12th grade students

This course further explores the elements and principles of design and visual vocabulary, composition, drawing, and painting as a unique form of communication. Students will develop a suite of images that communicate a connecting theme or concept. Each student needs to complete extensive research and preliminary drawings before beginning any of their studio paintings. Drawing is a major part of this class, and work done on drawings is a major part of the semester grade. Drawing is emphasized because this is where each student works through all the important foundational aspects of their work – more sophisticated conceptual development, technical and perceptual drawing problems, allowance for exploration, growth and communicating the concept over the entire suite of images. Regular group critiques and discussions are conducted in order to emphasize a more sophisticated understanding the media and how to use that media to communicate their ideas. Students describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate artwork during written and verbal critiques.
Prerequisite: Art I/ Drawing and Painting I

Introduction to Digital Photography and Printmaking

Offered to 10th-12th grade students

This course will introduce students to digital photography basics: lighting, settings, effects, and editing in Adobe Photoshop. Students will explore the visual media and identify the elements of art and principles of design as they apply to photography. Digital images are presented and compared during critiques in order better understand how to communicate their ideas. The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop a basic understanding of photographic imagery by demonstrating proficiency in photographic techniques and processes. The second part of the semester explores major printmaking methods: monotype, dry point, collagraph, linoleum and stencil prints. Activities include carving wood blocks, cutting, collage, and painting as part of the printmaking process. Use of technology and mixed-media work is encouraged during this course. Students will produce a book of images by the end of the semester. Prerequisite: none

Exploring 3-D Forms

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This course will introduce students to the basics of three-dimensional forms using wood, stone, clay, wire, and a variety of media. Students will explore design in three dimensions with emphasis on form, space and concept. The projects in this class focus on the use of modeling/manipulation, additive, subtractive, and substitution sculpting techniques. Study of culture and the historical and contemporary creation of three-dimensional art will be accomplished through projects, classroom discussion and lectures.

Prerequisite: none

AP Advanced Studio Art: Portfolio Development

Offered to 10th-12th grade students with Department Approval

This course is provided for students who show a high proficiency in visual art. It provides an intensive, interdisciplinary approach to contemporary art that is born out of ideas and employs the materials, practices, and processes required to express them. Emphasis is placed on artistic research, the development of ideas, and the exploration of materials and processes, and meanings as conveyed through them. The course includes a writing component and integrates the generation of a student’s body of work with an awareness of the context in which the work will be presented.

Students are encouraged to use whatever media works best for their concept. Regular group critiques and discussions are conducted in order to emphasize a more sophisticated understanding of the media and how to use that media to communicate their ideas. Prerequisite: Art II, Drawing and Painting II, or teacher recommendation

Dance I

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This course teaches the fundamental dance technique and vocabulary used in classical ballet and modern dance. The class develops strength, flexibility, coordination, and promotes dance as part of a healthy lifestyle. Students will perform for the public, create choreography, learn proper theatre etiquette, and develop an appreciation for the art of dance.

Dance II

Offered to 9th-12th grade students with Department approval

The second level of dance is designed for students with a basic knowledge of dance technique. This course continues study in ballet and modern dance with an emphasis on body placement, expanding dance vocabulary, and developing creative self-expression skills. Students participate in performances, create choreography, acquaint themselves with dance history, and develop artistic expression skills through a variety of dance styles.

Dance III

Offered to 10th-12th grade students with Department approval

This course is designed for the dancer with an intermediate level of dance training and an interest in further development of dance skills. Students will strive towards a professional level of dance technique to prepare for professional goals in dance, theatre, dance education, or related fields. Students will work to increase their creative and choreographic abilities, perform in solo and group forms, study injury prevention, and learn audition skills and techniques.

Drama I - Introduction to Acting

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

An Introduction to Acting facilitates a basic understanding of the principles of theatre as an art form, as well as its function within society and culture. The student will learn beginning level acting skills in movement, voice, and improv, and will perform scenes and monologues. In addition to onstage work, students will read an important American play together, discussing basic character development and script analysis. Prepared, memorized scenes will be performed in the evening for the student’s final project at the end of the semester. *prerequisite to all other theatre classes

Drama I - Theatre Styles and Genres

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

Theatre Styles and Genres focus on the student learning about the history, styles, and genres of theatre in different cultures throughout time, using active games, projects, and scene work. Theatre history, from Greek to modern, will be explored, as well as puppetry, ensemble collaborative theatre, oral interpretation/spoken word, reader’s theatre, storytelling, playwriting, clowning/circus, stand-up comedy, film, performance art, voice-over/commercials, stage combat, musical theatre. In addition to onstage work, students will read an important American play together, discussing basic script analysis in relation to the playwriting unit. A basic understanding of the technical side of theatre will also be discussed and used in a final project, to be presented for a final grade at the end of the semester.

*prerequisite to all other theatre classes

Drama II - Advanced Acting

Offered to 10th-12th grade students

Advanced Acting will focus on developing the student’s acting skills involving comedy, drama, monologues, and scene work. We will study various methods, techniques, and approaches to acting. There will be two performance afternoons required for the collaborative piece created by the students, as well as their fully-developed final scene performance at the end of the semester. In addition to onstage work, students will read an important play for character development, as well as watch a taped Broadway performance. The students in Drama Two level classes are encouraged to be a part of Drama Club, though it is not required. *Prerequisite: Drama I

Drama II - Theatre Production and Performance

Offered to 10th-12th grade students by permission of the instructor

Theatre Production and Performance will focus on the student’s acting skills and techniques within a final performance and show setting. This class is an advanced class for performers and technicians that will produce fully realized works of theatre together, under the direction and supervision of the teacher. Depending on the semester offered, students could have the chance to perform a mystery dinner theatre, a classical theatre piece, a children’s theatre piece, student directed scenes, and performing in the fall or spring fine arts festivals. The students in Drama Two level classes are encouraged to be a part of Drama Club, though it is not required. *Prerequisite: Drama I

Fine Arts-53.0361711 Band (Elective Rotation) (Y)

Band

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This course will focus on individual and ensemble instrumental instruction for wind, brass, and percussion. Students will have opportunities to perform in small and large group ensembles in concert settings. Individual and group performances will be enhanced by the study of music theory, music history and music appreciation. Student of all levels are welcome.

Orchestra

Chorus

Guitar

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This course is designed for students who wish to further develop their guitar skills in high school, as well as possibly progressing to the collegiate level. Students are required to be responsible learners and have all materials daily for class. In order to be proficient and both meet and exceed the required standards we will be studying fundamental guitar pedagogy which includes but is not limited to: scales, etudes, concert literature, music theory, and music history.

Prerequisite: None

Percussion

Offered to 9th -12th grade students

This course is for students who wish to learn to play percussion instruments. All traditional western and some non-western percussion instruments will be taught. Basic and advanced rudiments, scales, stick techniques, fundamental and advanced rhythms, musicality, cadences and various musical genres will be taught throughout the course. Students who wish to perform with the band or orchestra will also be provided an opportunity to join those ensembles. Students will be required to purchase their own materials for the course, including texts, drum sticks, mallets, stick bag, and practice pads.

Prerequisite: None

Music Appreciation

Offered to 9th-12th grade students

This one semester course will emphasize the development of listening skills and the history of music. Students will be exposed to music starting with the Middle Ages and continue throughout all the time periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and
Contemporary. Along with the examination of music history, students will perceive and understand fundamental music elements as heard through a variety of music styles. The goal of this course is for students to go beyond the one or two genres they currently appreciate, and learn to appreciate all music.

Prerequisite: None