Fine Art Department

Fine Art Clubs

Fine Art Faculty

 

TZHS “Tones” WINS 11 ESSPA AWARDS!
click on cover to view Tones 2011
TZHS advisors Donna Grasso (art) and Sarah McMane (literature) have announced the TZHS literary magazine, Tones, had another exceptional year at the Empire State Scholastic Press Awards (ESSPA) sponsored by Syracuse University. Awards are given in Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mentions (HM) categories.

TZHS was awarded as follows:

OVERALL PUBLICATION: Gold: Staff, Tones

NON-FICTION: Gold: Alex Natale, Class of 2012, “Darkness”, Silver: Maggie McEvoy, Class of 2012, “Ophelia and Hamlet: A Tragic Tale of Two Fish”, HM: Kira Carlee, Class of 2011, “Truth-telling Lies”

USE OF TYPE/IMAGE: Silver: Alex Natale, Class of 2012, “Darkness”, Bronze: Grace Gorenstein, Class of 2011, “Dear Mike”

ARTWORK: Gold: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, Pg. 58, Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Girls with Deer”, Bronze: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Tabby Eyes of Ember”, HM: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Ignored”

COVER DESIGN: Bronze: Sarah Song, Class of 2011

Fine Art Department 2012-2013 Course Offerings

ART PROGRAM – Mrs. Donna Grasso, Team Leader

NOTE: All students are eligible to take the three introductory art courses: Studio in Art, 3-D Design I, and Studio in Media Arts. Students may enroll in advanced art courses after completing the prerequisite introductory course and upon the approval of the faculty and the school administration. Consult the Art Department for guidance.

Studio in Art (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None.
This foundation course gives students a variety of art-making experiences in a traditional art studio setting that meets the State art requirement for graduation. Students will be able to explore a wide range of methods and materials involved in drawing and painting, graphic design, printmaking and 3-D design. The elements of art and principles of design are emphasized, as students learn to use these concepts and tools as a means towards greater self-expression.

3-D Design I (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None.
This foundation course meets the State art requirements for graduation and will place emphasis on developing skills needed for hands-on experiences in 3-D media. Projects will include experiences in ceramics, sculpture and crafts. In addition to elements of art and principles of design, the history and significance of 3-D design in today's society will be emphasized.

Graphic Arts and Media Design (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None.
This course is structured to meet the State art requirement for graduation and is a foundation course. Utilizing the new MAC lab, students will explore current use of media arts through a comprehensive introduction to popular software applications such as Photoshop and Apple i-Life Suite to produce digital photography and movies. Other digital multimedia productions include creative sound/music, cartooning, page layout and drawing/painting. The elements of art and principles of design germane to the study of art will be emphasized throughout.

3-D Design II (10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: 3-D Design I
The objective of this course is to provide the students with an opportunity to develop more advanced skills in 3-D media. Emphasis will be placed on advanced techniques in ceramics, sculpture, jewelry making, and crafts. In addition to elements of art and principles of design, the history and significance of 3-D design in today's society will be emphasized.

Style and Design Past & Present (10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting, 3-D Design II or permission of the Art Department.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the art and design skills required in the fashion field. Assignments include, figure drawing, history of fashion, identifying and assembling fabrics and accessories, garment details, sewing as well as developing advanced 2-D to 3-D creative ideas in the modern context. Selected works in this course may be applied to an AP portfolio.

Drawing and Painting (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Studio in Art, Media Arts or 3-D Design.
An in-coming 9th grader may take this course upon completion of the high school equivalent of Studio in Art at the middle school. This course is structured to enable the art student to develop his/her talents in two-dimensional representation. Emphasis will be placed on developing the student’s drawing skills through a series of simple perceptual exercises and direct observation drawing projects, as well as on expanding the student’s abilities to think creatively through a variety of methods and materials of drawing and painting. Each student will be encouraged to explore various methods, techniques and mixed media, and to develop their own unique style as an avenue for enhanced personal expression. Completed artwork will be featured on display and should be suitable for inclusion in a personal portfolio.

Advanced Drawing (10, 11, 12) One Semester, 1/2 credit
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting/or permission of the Art Department.
This course is designed to assist students in furthering their drawing abilities in both direct observation and conceptual and imaginational styles. Here, a variety of drawing media, methods and techniques will be explored. Topics are influenced by class interest and may include: still life, figure drawing, proportion, anatomy, perspective and space, mark making, rendering, design and composition. As a fundamental skill for all forms of artistic expression, Advanced Drawing is recommended for all art majors. Additionally, this course is recommended for preparing students for AP Drawing or AP 2D Design in a subsequent year.

Advanced Painting (10, 11, 12) One Semester, 1/2 credit
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting/ or permission of the Art Department.
In this course, students will have in-depth experience using a variety of paint media and techniques while exploring a more personal approach to expressing form, content, meaning and context. The formal study of composition and color theory will be integrated into the painting experience. This course is recommended in preparing students for AP Drawing or AP 2D Design in a subsequent year.

Sculpture (11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: 3D-Design II.
This course is designed to allow the students to explore sculptural design and expression through both additive and subtractive processes. The students will be able to experiment with many three-dimensional approaches including, but not limited to figurative or nonfigurative sculpture that involve modeling, casting, metal work, ceramics, fiber arts, assemblages and found objects. Students are encouraged to explore a personal, central interest and are free to work with variety of media that address sculptural design issues.

Advanced Placement Studio Art Full Year, 1 credit
Description: The AP program in Studio Art enables highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art to perform at the college level while still in high school. AP work involves more commitment, time and accomplishment than the typical high school course. Expectations and the work load are in accord with entry-level college courses. The AP Studio Art Portfolio is a performance-based exam rather than a written exam. The projects are challenging and the classroom critiques will enable you to learn how to analyze and assess your own work as well as that of your peers so artistic growth can be cultivated. The College Board offers three portfolios: 2-D Design, 3-D Design, and Drawing. The AP portfolio should be viewed as the culminating experience in a student’s high school visual arts training. You are required to complete one of the three portfolios offered. The portfolio will encompass a variety of themes, ideas, artistic issues mediums and materials, subject matter and approaches to making art. Independent thinking is highly valued. Permission of the art faculty is required.

The Three Portfolios:

  • Drawing Portfolio: In the Drawing Portfolio, your mastery of drawing can be demonstrated through a wide range of approaches and media. Light and shade, line quality, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, and the illusion of depth are drawing issues that can be addressed through a variety of means, which could include painting, printmaking, mixed media, etc. Abstract, observational, and inventive works may be submitted. The range of marks used to make drawings, the arrangement of the marks, and the materials used to make the marks are endless. Photography, digital imaging, videotapes, three-dimensional work, and photocopies of you work in other media may not be submitted. Prerequisite: Advanced Drawing and Painting
     
  • 2-D Design Portfolio: Design involves purposeful decision-making about using the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. In the 2-D Design Portfolio, you should demonstrate your understanding of design principles as applied to a two-dimensional surface. The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and figure/ground relationship) can be articulated through the visual elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space). Any 2-D process or medium may be submitted, including, but not limited to graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, printmaking, etc. Videotapes, three-dimensional works, and photocopies of your work in other media may not be submitted.
    Prerequisite: Advanced Drawing and Painting, Computer Graphics, Photography, TV Production/Broadcast Journalism II, Style and Design-Past and Present
     
  • 3-D Design Portfolio: Design involves purposeful decision-making about using the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. In the 3-D Design Portfolio, you should demonstrate your understanding of design principles as they relate to depth and space. The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and figure/ground relationship) can be articulated through the visual elements (mass, volume, color/light, form, plane, line, texture). The issues can be explored through additive, subtractive, and/or fabrication processes. Examples of approaches include figurative or nonfigurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, and three-dimensional fiber arts, among others.
    Prerequisite: Sculpture, Style and Design-Past and Present

Advanced Placement Art History (10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Permission of the faculty.
Emphasis will be placed on the history and development of art and architecture in the Western world from pre-historic times to the present. The art outside the European traditions will also be covered. The course is open to students who have a desire to understand the relationship of art to society while familiarizing themselves with the great masterpieces of art and architecture through the ages. This college level course is especially recommended for students who have taken, or are currently taking AP World History, AP English or Foreign Languages. At the conclusion of the course students are expected to take the AP exam for college advanced placement or credit. In addition, multimedia computing and presentation equipment will be utilized to view and create art history projects. At least two field trips to art museums are planned during the year.

Computer Graphics (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Faculty recommends some familiarity with the MAC computers.
An in-coming 9th grader may take this course upon completion of the high school
equivalent of Studio in Art at the middle school. Utilizing the new MAC lab, this course provides students with full opportunities to explore I-Life Suite ’10 and Adobe CS5 Suite to produce web-page content, animation, pod-casts, movies and skills involved in making multimedia digital portfolios. This course will place emphasis on independent studies connecting concepts and ideas in other disciplines.

Photography (10, 11, 12) One Semester, 1/2 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course offers an introduction to photography. The class will explore all aspects of photo, ranging from black and white 35mm film to advanced digital techniques. Students will use a large variety of photographic equipment such as 35mm cameras, digital cameras, traditional darkroom equipment, and digital printing techniques. The elements of art and principles of design explored in the traditional studio courses are also emphasized in this class. Class participation = 30% of the student's grade.

Television Production I/Broadcast Journalism (10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to various features of film and television production. Students will learn the basics of working with video, while exploring the entire production process to create original films and other video projects. The class will give students hands on experience in the fields of television production and broadcast journalism. Students will have the opportunity to actively engage in producing, directing, scriptwriting, camera work and editing. Working in production teams, the class will develop a variety of skills used to create an original television segment. Students will cover important events in the community, conduct interviews, manage a shooting studio, utilize technical equipment, and work with digital editing software.

Television Production II: Advanced Concepts in Television Production and Broadcast Journalism (11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Television Production I
Television Production II presents advanced techniques in the field of television production and broadcast journalism. Utilizing the concepts and skills from Television Production I, the students will work in teams to produce original video segments for distribution to the community. Topics from Television Production I such as: scriptwriting, storyboarding, proper use of video equipment and editing, will be reinforced and strengthened in this course, while also emphasizing directing and producing segments on a regular schedule.

Publishing (9, 10, 11, 12) Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the field of publishing. The class will focus on creating an original publication from idea to completion. Students will utilize publishing software, such as Adobe In Design CS#, and Adobe Photoshop CS# to experiment with layout, text (copy) and photography. The main goal of the class is to publish the TZHS yearbook.


Fine Art Department Clubs

Arts & Crafts Marketing Club
Advisor – Ms. Barbara LaBrake
The purpose of the Arts & Crafts Marketing Club is to provide an experience of craft making for all interested students, which promotes the satisfaction of crafting objects by hand and selling them in our school and community.  Monies raised from club sales are primarily donated to charities, as well as to fund an Art & Crafts Scholarship Award.

Art Service Club
Advisor – Ms. Donna Grasso
Students will make signs, posters, murals and flyers using their abilities to enhance our school environment and support school functions.  This club is run as an advertising agency, creating works and meeting deadlines.

Tones
Art Advisor – Ms. Donna Grasso
Tones, TZHS’s award winning art-literary magazine, is published each spring and allows students to express their creativity in poetry, short stories, essays and artwork.  The staff plays a diverse role.  It not only oversees the work submitted, but also takes on the responsibility for the magazine’s layout.  It is a magazine published entirely by students. 

Yearbook Club
Art Advisor - Ms. Allison Meyers
Students creating the TZHS yearbook can work on many aspects of the publication, from photography to graphic design and layout.  Yearbook gives the students a chance to express themselves creatively, while working towards a finished publication that includes photographs and memories from their years at TZ.

Make-up Crew (Fall/Spring Play & Musical)
Art Advisor – Ms Donna Grasso
Students are involved in hair design and application of stage make-up on cast members for the Fall Play and Spring Musical.
 

Fine Art Department Faculty

Ms. Donna Grasso
e-mail:   dgrasso@socsd.org
Phone:  845-680-1600 X7731
Office Hours:  By appointment

Mr. Yu Bong Ko
e-mail:   ybko@socsd.org
Phone:  680-1000 X7743
Office Hours: 
By appointment

Ms. Barbara LaBrake
Phone:  680-1600 X7766
e-mail:  blabrake@socsd.org
Office Hours
:  By appointment

Ms. Kathryn Rowedder
Phone:  680-1600 X7764
e-mail: 
krowedder@socsd.org
Office Hours
:  By appointment

Ms. Allison Meyers
Phone:  680-1600 X7298
e-mail: 
ameyers@socsd.org
Office Hours:  By appointment
 

Return to top of page