Open Studies Course Registration

Grades K-2: For the young artist who loves to draw, this course teaches students to create drawings from represetation, memory, observation, and imagination. Artists will discover different approaches to drawing, use various tools, and drawing materials. From pen and pencil to color explorations in pastel and paint, students will create studies and sketches as preparation for several larger, refined pieces that explore smudging, scratching, blending and mark making.

Grades K-2: In this creative course, students will explore the four elements: earth, water, fire, and air. Through art, they will use materials that represent each element. They’ll experiment with watercolor for water, clay for earth, and bold colors to evoke fire and air. Students will develop skills in symbolism, texture, and abstract expression while discovering how to bring the natural world to life through art.

Grades: 3-5: Nowhere is there a medium more malleable and versatile than clay. Intended for our youngest artists and framed within an energetic context of play, tactile experiences, exploration and discovery, this course is intended to get students immersed in working creatively to create forms, apply textures, and consider the varieties of surface effects. Students extrude, roll, press, mold, shape, squeeze, pinch, and drape clay in unusual ways to create beautiful, artful clay objects. Once familiar with the basic characteristics, possibilities and limitations of clay, students will find that the options are virtually endless!

Grades 3-5: In this course, students will explore a brief history of clothing and fashion. They will learn basic hand-sewing techniques, including how to attach buttons, mend, embroider, weave, and stitch. Young designers will brainstorm, design, and create unique garment illustrations that express their identity and even explore character building! From tote bags and wearable art to fashion illustrations, this course is the perfect introduction for aspiring fashion designers.

Grades 3-5: In this course, students will discover how to see the world in a fresh, new way! Different drawing techniques will be explored, using a diverse range of media and tools. From pen and pencil to pastel and paint, this course will teach students how to use line, shape, and form to draw realistically.

Grades 6-8: This is an introductory level course for artists and designers and getting started with Photoshop, and Illustrator. In this course, students will learn the basics of color correction, retouching, and image manipulation. Young designers will also learn best practices for digital file formats. Using the principles of design, students will design their own logos, magazine layouts and text animations in order to build transferable skills when using Adobe. Access to the Adobe Creative Suite is included for the duration of this course.

Grade 6-8: In this course, students will draw from a live model as they learn about the human form. Students will use various 2D drawing media as they work through a progression of drawing techniques that investigate how different approaches to drawing the figure can address mood, and emotion. From fast paced gesture drawings to intermediate poses, students will produce a portfolio of figure drawings that range in style from traditional to more contemporary and conceptual approaches that embody a student's personal artistic vision.

Grades 9-12: Unleash your creativity and dive into the exciting world of video game creation! In this course, you'll learn the essential skills and design processes behind bringing games to life, with a special focus on crafting compelling characters and worlds. Master the Unity game engine, learn basic C# programming, and integrate stunning art assets into your games. From coding to designing heroes, villains, and fantastical environments, this course equips you with the tools to build immersive game design experience.

Grades 9-12: Using a variety of paint media such as inks, watercolor, tempera paint, and acrylic paint, students in this course explore a variety of paint materials, brushes, and techniques, both traditional and non-traditional, to create a body of work that spans realism to expressive abstraction. Emphasis is on breaking "out of the box" in expressive use of color media, with a variety of prompts guiding students to make meaning and incorporate narratives into their work. This is a fast-paced class, with students generating a large body of studies and exercises as they build a strong foundation and comfort with each color medium. The confident painter will then be asked to synthesize this knowledge to create larger, cohesive paintings based on a selected theme.

Grades 9-12: In this course students will explore essential skills in digital drawing using Adobe Illustrator. They’ll learn to navigate the interface, use basic brush tools, work with layers, and explore color palettes. Through fun, hands-on projects—like creating layered landscapes, digital self-portraits, and original cartoon characters—students will gain confidence in using digital tools to express their creativity. This foundational course sets up students with the basics they’ll need to advance in digital art.

Grades 9-12: In this all-encompassing course, students will delve into the world of Portfolio Development, Critique Skills, and Photo Documentation. Aspiring artists will learn to compile and critically analyze their work, honing their ability to convey cohesive messages. With a focus on constructive criticism, students will grasp the art of giving and receiving valuable feedback. Additionally, students will gain hands-on experience in taking professional photos of their artwork. This course is your key to refining your artistic abilities and showcasing your creations with confidence.