Welcome to Towson Visual Arts!
At Towson High School we offer courses ranging from foundations in art
making to AP studio, photography, and Sculpture.
Meet our Teachers:
Lindsay Miller, Instructional Coach
[email protected]
Julie Lauver
[email protected]
Dylan Clark
[email protected]
Programs:
Support visual arts at Towson High with the Towson Art Parents Association
National Art Honor Society is an organization for all THS art students interested in engaging in an art community outside of the classroom. Learn more about NAHS from your art teacher.
Visual Arts Courses at Towson High School:
FUNDAMENTALS OF ART (ART I)
This prerequisite course provides an opportunity for the student to develop a special understanding and greater abilities in drawing, creative problem-solving and developing an awareness of art in past and present cultures. Emphasis is placed on drawing which is the language of visual art. This course meets the graduation requirement for Fine Arts. This course is a prerequisite for all of the art courses offered here at Towson High School.
Fine Arts Pathway
INTERMEDIATE ART (ART II)
This course further extends the ideas and problem-solving of Art I. Drawing skills and techniques are developed and refined. Students work on more in-depth assignments and learn about artistic choices as a way of forming a visual voice. Emphasis is placed on drawing and painting.
AP STUDIO ART (Advanced Placement)
The focus of this course is immersion in the Naturalistic tradition as students identify and develop their personal visual voice. This course is for the highly motivated art student who can work independently. Portfolio development and guidance for college, scholarship and Advanced Placement Portfolio Exam is provided. Fine Arts is a prerequisite. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 1 (Art Studio Practice ) course focusing on Fine Arts.
AP STUDIO ART ADVANCED (Advanced Placement)
This course is for the advanced and highly motivated art student. It provides intense portfolio development and the focus is on the student’s personal directions in art. In-depth critique and analysis of work is encouraged comparable to a college level studio class. Students are encouraged to participate in scholarship competitions, as well as school, county and state-wide exhibitions. College and career counseling is provided along with an opportunity for a one-person senior exhibit. Each senior develops their artist statement, along with an individual body of work. Studio Practice is a prerequisite. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 2 (Art Studio Practice Advanced) course focusing on Fine Arts.
Photography Pathway
PHOTOGRAPHY I/II
These courses include elements of the camera, composition in photography, film processing, and darkroom techniques. Students are required to use their personal cameras and to supply some of the materials needed for photography projects. Introduction to Digital Photography in Photo II.
PHOTO STUDIO (GT)
This Course is for the advanced student who has special interest in photography. Increased emphasis on composition, experimentation, and advanced techniques in film processing will be explored. Portfolio development, scholarship, and exhibition opportunities are provided. Photo I/II are prerequisites. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 1 (Art Studio Practice ) course focusing on Photography.
PHOTO STUDIO ADVANCED (Advanced Placement)
This course is for the advanced, highly motivated photography student. It provides intense portfolio development and focus on the student’s personal direction in photography. In-depth critique and analysis of work is encouraged. College and career counseling is provided. Each senior develops their artist statement with an opportunity for a one-person senior exhibit. Photo Studio is a prerequisite. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 2 (Art Studio Practice Advanced) course focusing on Photography.
Sculpture Pathway
DESIGN IN CLAY I/II
In this GT course, students will explore a variety of hand-building clay techniques using design criteria. Students will have opportunities to explore functional and non-functional clay works through an analysis of past and contemporary collections and apply this knowledge to creating their own body of work. This is the first step in creating an AP 3D portfolio.
DESIGN IN CLAY MIXED MEDIA
This is a continuation of Design in Clay I/II. Students will solve a variety of design problems in clay to reflect their own personal expression, and begin to develop a body of work suitable for submission for the AP 3D portfolio. Students will continue to study functional and non-functional 3D work and apply their knowledge to the creation of a personal body of work. Design in Clay I/II are prerequisites. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 1 (Art Studio Practice ) course focusing on Sculpture.
AP STUDIO ART 3D DESIGN
This course is for the advanced, highly motivated sculpture student. It provides students with the development of culminating portfolio assessments including the Scholastic Arts Competition and the AP 3D Exam. Students work to complete a personal body of work in this course that expresses their personal voice. In-depth critique and analysis of work is encouraged. College and career counseling is provided. Each senior develops their artist statement with an opportunity for a one-person senior exhibit. Design in Clay Mixed Media is a prerequisite. Based on registration numbers, this class could be combined into an AP 2 (Art Studio Practice Advanced) course focusing on Sculpture.
Other Elective Courses
AP ART HISTORY
Students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and present as well as a variety of global cultures. In this course students engage in both visual and historical study about art and its contexts in order to prepare for the AP Art History Exam.
ART AND TECHNOLOGY (1 semester course)
Students will be provided opportunities to understand ways that art and design concepts can be used for visual communication and presentation. They will study advances in technology and use technological applications with traditional art tools for developing purposeful visual products like presentations, posters, logos, and webpages using professional design software.
