Art Gallery

Below are links to the most recent student artwork!

http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Schools/High/PleasureRidgePark/derbyfestivalwinners2012.jpg

http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Schools/High/PleasureRidgePark/mrswilhoitjanuary2012.swf

http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Schools/High/PleasureRidgePark/mrswilhoitdecember2011.html

Student Artwork Gallery

Below is a link to the most recent student artwork gallery!

http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Schools/High/PleasureRidgePark/mrswilhoitjanuary2011.html

Favorite Websites

http://www.robinurton.com/history/directory.htm

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/

http://www.artlex.com/

http://www.famousartistsgallery.com/gallery.html

http://www.artchive.com/ftp_site.htm

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2182.html#name1

www.kentuckygsa.org

School of Study and Drawing and Painting Program

The PRP Visual Art Program provides students who are interested in pursuing art in high school with a four year path to develop both technically and creatively.  Our goals are to provide students with a mix of creative and technical experiences, to develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and to introduce a wide array of media and working styles.  Art history and criticism are also important components to the program.

Students may choose a four year sequential, comprehensive School of Study or they may choose to participate in the elective Drawing and Painting Program.

Course Overviews

Visual Art School of Study

     Art 1

     Art 2

     Art 3

     Art 4

     Advanced Placement Studio Art

Drawing and Painting Program

     Introduction to Art

     Drawing and Painting 1, A and B

     Drawing and Painting 2, A and B

Art 1

Course Description

9^th grade – Application and/or Instructor Approval

Art 1 is a two trimester class that covers a variety of two and three dimensional art experiences, emphasizing technical and expressive skills as well as the language of art.  While the students may come with prior art experience, this class is important to building a strong high school level foundation.  It is the pathway class to second, third and fourth year classes in the Visual Art School of Study Major Program.

Our units primarily focus on art making, but also include discussions, reflections and critiques, written assignments, and introductions to important artists and works of historical significance.  Central to the curriculum is an in-depth exploration of the elements of art and the principles of design, the fundamental concepts used to understand the visual arts.

Art 2

Course Description

10^th grade – Prerequisite: Completion of Art 1 with a B

Art 2 is a two trimester class in which the art major is involved in challenging studio problems in design, drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles.  Also, art history and art criticism are components related to the full development of the talent and interest of the student.

Art 3

Course Description

11^th grade – Prerequisite: Completion of Art 2 with a B

Art 3 is a two trimester course in which the art major works on teacher-planned and individually selected projects to develop fine art and craft.  Experiences in art history, cultural heritage, analysis of form, and aesthetics - which complement the studio experience – are integral parts of the course.  The student is expected to keep a portfolio of artwork that reflects developing skills.

Art 4

Course Description

12^th grade – Prerequisite: Completion of Art 3 with a B

Art 4 is a two trimester advanced course in which the art major works on teacher-planned and individually selected projects to develop fine art and craft.  Experiences in art history, cultural heritage, analysis of form, and aesthetics – which complement the studio experience – are integral parts of the course.  The student is expected to complete a portfolio of artwork that reflects refined skills and post-high school direction.

Advanced Placement Studio Art Drawing

Course Description

Instructor Approval Required

AP Art is a three trimester class which emphasizes the quality of student work, the student’s concentration on a particular visual interest and the student’s need for breadth of experiences in the formal, technical and expressive means of the artist.  Student portfolios are required for completion and could be submitted to the College Board for college credit. (optional)

Introduction to Art

Course Description

9-12^th grade - No Prerequisite

Introduction to Art is the initial art class for the student taking art as an elective.  The course is a one trimester class.  The student will work with the elements of art and the principles of design.  The student will receive instruction in basic drawing, basic design, and basic painting.  Art history and art criticism will also be components of the class.  This is not an appropriate elective for the art major.

Drawing and Painting 1, A and B

Course Description

9-12^th grade – Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

This is a two trimester class.  The drawing curriculum provides experiences in line, value and space using a variety of medium, subject and technique.  The painting portion gives the student an opportunity to solve color and painting problems in tempera, watercolor, and mixed media techniques.  Part a is drawing and part b is painting.

Drawing and Painting 2, A and B                                                        

Course Description

10-12^th grade - Prerequisite: Completion of Drawing and Painting 1

This is a 2 trimester class offering one trimester of drawing and one trimester of painting.  This course continues study in drawing techniques, providing experiences in line, value and space using a variety of medium and subject.  The painting portion provides students opportunities to solve color and painting problems in tempera, watercolor, mixed media, acrylic and oil painting techniques.  Part a is drawing and part b is painting.  

Personal Philosophy of Art Education

•Art results when human intellect, skill and imagination are used to communicate an idea visually.

•Art consists of two parts - form and content. Form involves the art elements, principles of design, and materials used. Content involves the message or idea expressed.

•This expression, though limitless in possible styles, subjects, techniques and compositions, is not infinite.

•I don’t accept the notion that art can be “anything”.

•Art can be good or bad in the context of a purpose or goal that it facilitates.

•The fact that something impedes or promotes that purpose is a matter of objectivity, for the most part.

•Since the general purpose of art is to express ideas, these are some of the tools and awareness that are evidenced in good art:

1.Excellent control over medium

2.Cultural context (how the work relates to the audience)

3.Sensory accessibility (the ability of the audience to apprehend and experience the pure sensory factors of the work) 

4.Comprehensibility (allows the audience to comprehend the intended purpose of the work)

5.Design unity

6.Choice of subject

7.Effective use of elements

8.Use of illusion to create a sense of reality or unreality

•To evaluate the objective quality of a work of art, one needs to determine what the expressive goal is and judge how the tools are used to pursue that goal.

•Another criterion on which art ought to be judged is the nature of the message itself which, on the highest level, should express some ultimate content relating to truth, beauty, and goodness.

•The artist’s goal should not be autonomous self-expression where the manner in which the art was made is the essence of the work.

•The goal of the artist should be self-realization and expression of content with objective frames of reference.

•In order to render works of ultimate essence, artists must maintain an eternal perspective, without which the human spirit is stifled.

•Intention, cultivation, attentiveness and purpose are ingredients for making art and for fostering students.

•Every work of art expresses an essential idea and that idea for my students concerns the exploration of connections between who they are and how they perceive their world.

•The role I play as a teacher is to facilitate through instruction, cultivation, motivation, and attention, students’ self-realization and their ability to express ideas. 

PRP Art Department Statement of Purpose

The Art Department of Pleasure Ridge Park High School strives to provide positive arts experiences through quality instruction to students of all levels of ability.  By advocating lifelong learning in the arts, we hope to help expand our students' artistic experiences, skills, understanding and appreciation.  Students may major in Visual Art and participate in the Communication, Media, and Arts Career Theme, receiving instruction in studio arts as well as graphic arts; or students may choose Visual Art as an elective.  We advocate individual development of attitudes, skills, knowledge, and responsibility essential to self-realization and engagement in school and community.