Skip to main content
3546 Caverns Road, Marianna, FL 32446
Phone: 850-482-9605 Fax: 850-482-1247 District Safety Hotline: 850-482-1217
Main Menu Toggle
Dr. JERRI BENTON » Visual Arts Syllabus

Visual Arts Syllabus

 

NAME OF COURSE

Visual Arts– Drawing I, II, III; Painting I, II, III, 3-D Comp I, II, III, Portfolio I, II, III

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Jerri Benton

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 850.482.9605 ext. 246

Email: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In the visual arts courses students will develop basic perceptual, observational and compositional skills necessary to communicate a range of subject matter, symbols, ideas and concepts using knowledge of the appropriate art media, processes and techniques. The visual art courses are designed to engage students in higher level thinking skills through creative problem solving and personal expression.  

Students will also examine the basic elements and principles of art and will reflect an understanding of these elements and principles in their artwork.

*In order to purchase high quality art supplies for all students, each student's works of art created throughout the school year will be displayed and available for sale at our MHS Annual Exhibit and Silent Auction held at the end of the school year.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the visual art course(s) students, in respect to their particular course of study, will:

  • Explore creative solutions
  • Develop compositions/artwork based on the elements and principles of design
  • Exhibit an expanded use and understanding of the art vocabulary
  • Demonstrate an understanding of space relationships in their artwork
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of value and color theory
  • Use effective control of media, techniques, and tools in their artwork
  • Demonstrate willingness to critique and display original artwork
  • Reflect upon and assess the characteristics/merits of personal artwork and artwork of others

GRADING POLICIES

40% Daily Work & Participation

60% Final Compositions/Final Projects/Tests

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY

In the visual arts courses time missed from class means the student has lost time allotted for working on a particular art assignment/composition or has missed the introduction of a new concept or technique. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher for make-up work within 3 days upon the student’s return to school. It is also the student’s responsibility to spend enough time on their artwork at home, if necessary, in order to keep up in the class.

Due dates for artwork remain constant even if the student misses time from school.

TEXTS

ArtTalk; Rosalind Ragans: Glencoe; 1995

Experience Clay; Maureen Mackey; Davis Publications; 2003

Exploring Visual Design; Davis Publications; 2011

Lifelike Portraits from Photographs; Lee Hammond: North Light Books; 1995

Supplemental material as provided by the instructor

COURSE OF STUDY

The visual arts course of study will vary according to particular classes, but the following general course of study will apply to each studio class.

Time frames are tentative and subject to change according to skill development pace and special school/community projects.

 

1ST NINE WEEKS
  • Assessment artwork for students at beginning levels or reworking for advanced levels
  • Introduction to the elements of art (1styear students)
  • Introduction to the principles of design (2ndyear students)
  • Review of elements and principles of design (3rdyear and beyond)
  • Technique exercises (shading, brush strokes, found object sculpture)

2ND NINE WEEKS
  • Continue and expand technique exercises
  • Begin composition development – realism
  • Original observational compositions
  • Original abstract compositions
  • Artful truths – tobacco awareness project

3RD NINE WEEKS
  • Ink/Ink & color compositions (first year drawing)
  • Painting from photographs (first year painting)
  • Artist research and/or portrait in words (second & third year)
  • Compositions/artwork for artist research (second & third year) 

4TH NINE WEEKS
  • Plan art auction artwork appropriate for our community
  • Render/rework art auction artwork
  • Plan and execute Annual Art Exhibit/Silent Auction
 

SPECIAL PROJECTS/ASSIGNMENTS     

The MHS Annual Art Exhibit and Silent Auction will be held in the spring of 2020. This event allows art students the opportunity to receive recognition for their artistic accomplishments, thus every student will be a part of this annual event. Since the art auction is also our major fundraising event, every student is required to place his/her artwork in the auction to be sold at the teacher’s discretion. Parents, as well as the general public, are invited to attend the exhibit and bid on the artwork. The students in the art program and I take great pride in this event and we look forward to showcasing the student artwork.

 

From time to time it is necessary to stop our planned course of study to create artwork for the school and/or community. We must remain flexible and remember that these are real world demands on an artist and are practical experiences that enhance the quality of our students’ art education. Additionally, such opportunities help to create a heightened sense of aesthetic awareness and appreciation from our school and our community.