Open Studies Course Registration

Grades 3-5: In this course, students practice the art of telling stories through pictures. Formal aspects of the narrative are applied by combining the written word with visual sequences. Students learn how storylines are developed, formats are considered and characters created. Observation skill-building helps students develop a basis for their fantasy figures, heroes, and heroines. Each student explores animation techniques and produces a comic strip consisting of several frames as well as a multi-page comic book.

Grades K-2: Dive into the world of textures! In this hands-on class, students will explore rough, smooth, soft, and bumpy surfaces while experimenting with a variety of 2D and 3D materials. They’ll learn how to use texture as a design element to add depth, meaning, and emotion to their artwork. Theme based art activities will encourage sensory exploration and creativity, helping students become more aware of the tactile world around them.

Grades K-2: 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 with glaze. 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 K-2: This course introduces young artists to the basics of life drawing and painting. Students will explore how line, shape, proportion, and perspective can be used to successfully draw from life. Students will also experiment with light, shadow, and color. Using a variety of mediums, including pencil, charcoal, and paint, artists will deepen their observation skills and creativity.

Grades 3-5: This course is for young artists who enjoy observing the world around them. Students will learn about the elements of art and use pencil, and charcoal to experiment with different drawing techniques. The class will explore basic color theory including primary, secondary, and complementary colors as students will also learn exciting ways color can make their drawings look more realistic.

Grades 6-8: Take your drawing skills to the next level in this engaging course designed for young artists ready to refine their techniques. Students will explore shading, perspective, composition, and more while working with various materials to create dynamic, expressive artwork. Perfect for those with some prior experience, or a strong interest in drawing, this class will help budding artists build confidence and develop their unique style!

Grade 6-8: This course is designed to introduce students to the ideas, principals and methods used when designing a space. Students in this course will explore architectural concepts of space form and structure and learn the basics of 3D modeling.

Grades 9-12: This course is designed to help students refine their skills in observational drawing and making purposeful choices about lines, form, and value. Students will experiment with various drawing materials, such as charcoal and graphite, as they learn to make decisive lines in their work. Art exemplars will be used to emphasize the incredible diversity of styles and expressiveness that can be achieved with color, line, and texture.

Grade 9-12: This course is designed to introduce students to the ideas, principals and methods used when designing a space. Students in this course will explore architectural concepts of space form and structure and learn the basics of 3D modeling.

Grades 9-12: In this advanced continuation course, students refine their portrait drawing skills through complex lighting, expressive markmaking, and deeper anatomical study. Emphasis is placed on developing personal style, exploring abstraction and distortion, and creating concept-driven portraits that convey mood, identity, and narrative.