Visual Arts

This course teaches the underlying principles, techniques, craft, and creative practices of using the computer for art and visual communication. Students will produce a range of computer-based creative projects, which may include digital painting and illustration, photographic manipulation and collage, graphic design for logos and posters, and multi-page publications. In addition, this course will introduce students to the histories, theories, and artists of computer-based art and design. This course covers a range of digital art software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Emphasis in this course will be placed on the development of personal artistic vision and excellence in craftsmanship. Advanced techniques will be explored in depth as will glazing and other finishing techniques. Mixed media also will be incorporated in the works. The course will include a survey of historically important practitioners of the medium as well as field trips to local galleries and ceramics and sculpture studios. Visiting artists to the class will introduce such techniques as body casting, screen-printing on clay, and glass forming. A body of work will be created over the course of the year, culminating in an exhibition in the Barnes and Wilde Galleries. Students will be allowed to create advanced works in the glass studio all year if they so choose.

This course introduces students to the art of relief printmaking through the in-depth study of black and white as well as color linoleum block printing. Students will design, carve, and print several original prints and be introduced to color mixing and press printing techniques. This course is designed for beginning- to advanced-level students.

Yes. We offer a variety of artistic media from the beginning to college level. Students can be placed at the level where they are the most comfortable.

Students who are ready to pursue their art at the highest levels can participate in the College-Level (CL) Art class. Working with a visual arts faculty mentor who guides their work, CL Art students are self-motivated and create their own pieces of art throughout the year that are exhibited at the CL Art show during the school year.

Student work produced independently by students and in each of our courses is exhibited in the galleries within the Richmond Art Center throughout the school year. Both new and returning students are invited to participate in and display work that they created over the summer in the Emerging Artists exhibition at the start of each school year.