The Visual Arts Department teaches skills and promotes understanding and exploration of creativity and talents. Students are exposed to a diversity of art forms, building understanding and appreciation for visual human artistic expression. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for further academic studies in the arts, as well as having gained a life-long appreciation for the visual arts.
This course is designed for novice art students. Coursework emphasizes improvement of drawing ability, application of the elements and principles of art, introduction to composition, and use of various materials and techniques. This course satisfies the prerequisite for all Visual Art 2 courses.
UC/CSU approved course
This course is designed for novice art students. Coursework emphasizes improvement of drawing ability, introduction to composition, and implementation of the Macintosh computer to create and manipulate images. Specific projects focus on application of the elements and principles of art. Students learn the basic procedures needed to use computers as a creative tool for the artist. This course and Visual Art 1 are very similar, and it is not recommended that students take both courses. This course satisfies the prerequisite for all Visual Art 2 courses.
UC/CSU approved course
Priority enrollment is given to seniors, then juniors and finally to sophomores.
Visual Art 2/Animation is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 with emphasis on motion graphics and character design. Drawing exercises are followed by digital design and animation. Students in this course create 2D animation using Adobe software such as Photoshop and After Effects.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Cinema Arts is a continuation of Visual Art 1 and provides an introduction to film/video production using DSLR camera equipment. Students will learn the technical aspects of cinematic production through writing and story creation, directing, producing, cinematography, lighting design, audio engineering, and editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. While most work is done inside class, there are several projects that will also require extensive work outside of class. Critical thinking skills will be acquired by analyzing film and electronic media for creativity and content.
UC/CSU approved
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/The Book as Art is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 with emphasis on creating handmade books as works of art. Students will create books using a variety of methods, and after mastering basic techniques, they will progress to individualized study, allowing for personal expression. Students will be exposed to related studies in order to enhance opportunities for specialization and self-expression, such as paper sculpture, paper marbling, paper making, and creation of paste papers.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Digital Photography is a continuation of Visual Art 1 with further emphasis on visual concept development. No previous photography experience is necessary. Students learn and apply the visual and technical characteristics of Masters of Photography through composition, exposure and artistic technique. SmartPhones, iPads and popular photography apps are used for image capture
and editing.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Drawing is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1, with emphasis placed on advanced drawing skills. Students will use a variety of media, which may include graphite, charcoal, colored pencil and ink.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Graphic Design is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1 with emphasis on personal and innovative thought in visual problem solving. Using Adobe software, students will apply the elements and principles of design to create a variety of industry related projects.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Painting is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1, with emphasis placed on advanced painting skills and understanding of color theory. Students will use a variety of media, which may include watercolor, acrylic, and pastel.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/2D-3D Design is a continuation of the techniques introduced in Visual Art 1, with emphasis on a variety of projects, using techniques such as assemblage, papier-mâché, collage, and sculpture.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Modern Art is a continuation of Visual Art 1, with emphasis on examination of the trends and movements of the last 100 years. The course examines art, sculpture, photography and architecture. The first half of the course looks at the basic movements of the first fifty years (surrealism, Dadaism, cubism, etc.). The second half of the course examines the emerging styles of the last fifty years (pop, earth art, performance, video, new illusionism, etc.). A specific focus is on the Bay Area art scene.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Visual Art 2/Western Art is a continuation of Visual Art 1 with emphasis on studying how artistic styles, movements, schools, techniques, and personality influence the development of the humanities. Ranging from prehistory to the present, this course will offer students a solid foundation in the evolution of the humanities, allowing students to make clear connections to the world of art around them today.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Visual Art 1
Department Chair
Peggy Lemak