Visual Arts

Art is an essential part of Integral Formation. Art enhances the intellectual, spiritual, human, and apostolic formation of each child. Exploring art awakens an innate call from the Divine Creator and invites a creative response. “Through his ‘artistic creativity’ man appears more than ever ‘in the image of God.’” Saint John Paul II, Letter to Artists, 1999

Pinecrest Academy’s K-12 Visual Arts program provides opportunities for students to explore art production, art history, art appreciation, and art criticism, in light of Catholic theology and Christian tradition. At the heart of this creative exploration is the belief that God is love and that all of creation is a manifestation of God’s love, including the gifts and talents bestowed on his creatures.

Art is integrated into our lower school students’ learning objectives beginning with PreK. Art strengthens visual discrimination, visual acuity, fine motor skills, and eye-hand coordination, and is used to visually reinforce concepts in phonics, science, and social studies. All students have art class one to two times per week and are able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials, and techniques. They use memory, imagination, and observation skills when creating art forms. Creative problem solving is encouraged, as students envision, design, and create their own compositions. Skill development leading toward good craftsmanship is practiced and encouraged. An understanding of the role that art plays in the world and in history is touched on. Students experience a variety of media such as chalk pastels, oil pastels, painting with watercolor and tempera, ceramics, paper maché, and more.

In middle school, art is a nine week exploratory course for 6th, 7th and 8th graders that meets daily. In this class students learn about the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, experiment with a wide variety of mediums, and produce individual works of art. The Fine Arts department hosts two art shows per year to showcase students' paintings, drawings and sculptures.

Our high school visual arts curriculum offers a variety of opportunities for students to develop their God-given artistic gifts. Encouraging students to ponder and create manifestations of beauty offers them an opportunity to engage our world in an open dialogue. Understanding and appreciating past and present art allows students to develop their own visual language. Comprehending their voice in an historical context enables their own expression to flourish and empowers them to evangelize through their art.

Students explore a variety of 2D and 3D art mediums and processes, as they develop and evaluate their ideas through the use of the design process. Students learn and apply the elements of art and principles of design to personal works of art. These elements are like the ingredients for works of art; they are the basic visual symbols artists use to create beauty. The elements are line, shape, form, color, value, space, and texture. The principles are the recipes for art. They are the ways artists use the elements to create artworks. The principles are balance, movement, pattern, contrast, rhythm, variety, and unity. Students create works of art that demonstrate concepts relating to these elements and principles.

With a strong design foundation, students learn how to seek new and innovative design solutions and artistic forms of expression on their own. Approaching art education with a “design thinking” lens, helps to spark this inner motivation, self-initiated discovery, and experimentation. Encouraging divergent thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration opens them to contemporary dialogue.

The high school offers introductory and advanced classes in Drawing and Painting, Digital Imaging, and Sculpture/Ceramics. For self-motivated students who wish to develop their portfolios, Studio Art classes are offered, providing more advanced applications of media, concepts and expressions of ideas. Students are encouraged to develop a personal style of expression and choose media appropriate for communication of concepts. College-bound artists foster their skills in three AP Studio Art Classes: Drawing, 2D, and 3D Design Portfolios. All of Pinecrest’s high school students have passed the AP Studio Art Exam with a score of 4 or 5.

Inviting others to encounter the rich artistic heritage of the Catholic faith and reflection on one’s own faith journey ignites artistic exploration in the classroom. Sharing these imaginative manifestations with others through local, national, and international exhibitions serves to unite and expand the community in an authentically Catholic way. Two art shows are held each year, and our students have also exhibited nationally in the Scholastic Art competition and internationally in the UNESCO Bioethics Art Competition.

As John Paul II invites artists of the globe to create “new epiphanies of beauty,” students are inspired to engage in the New Evangelization with their life and work.

Courses

List of 15 items.

Lower School Visual Arts

Visual Arts help develop the aesthetic dimension of the human mind. Our art program is designed to teach students to understand and appreciate artistic masterpieces, as well as to give them opportunities to express themselves through art production. The study of great works of art is incorporated into the history curriculum, while formal art classes will familiarize students with basic skills, concepts and an assortment of mediums. Kindergarten through 5th grade students enjoy visual arts class each week.
Middle School Visual Arts

The exploration of the visual arts that your child began in the lower grades will continue in middle school with an eye towards not only appreciating beauty in its myriad forms but also towards creating it and deepening their understanding of its expression in the various disciplines of art.

Middle School students explore the elements of art and principles of design through practical application completing a number of projects in a variety of mediums. Students begin focusing on studio habits and individual expression during 6th to 8th grade in order to learn how to be an artist. They are challenged to think critically and creatively, and to respond to each others works with constructive criticism through class critiques.
Studio Art Honors (9th - 12th Grades)

Studio Art is a year-long course designed for self-motivated students who are serious about developing their art portfolio and exploring art as a means of self-discovery and expression. Students will design and produce between 12 and 14 works of art. They will create works that show a variety of media techniques and processes. The prerequisite for this self-motivated class requires a portfolio interview and a letter of recommendation from the current art teacher for entrance. This is an AP studio Art track that will help students build their portfolio throughout several years.
Drawing/Painting I (10th - 12th Grades)

This course builds upon the foundational art concepts and skills developed in Introduction to Visual Art. Students will develop fundamental drawing skills which include contour, perception of space, value to model forms, gesture, perspective, and color. Students work with drawing media such as graphite, charcoal, conté, color pencil, oil pastel, watercolor, and acrylic. Art history, criticism, and aesthetics are incorporated into the studio process of drawing and painting.
Drawing/Painting Advanced (10th - 12th Grades)

In this elective, students develop their drawing and painting skills through a more advanced application of media, concepts, and expressions of ideas. Students are encouraged to begin to develop a personal style of expression and choose media appropriate for communication of concepts. The course includes studies in color sensitivity and a wide range of media and techniques. Art history, criticism, and aesthetics are incorporated. Projects call for a personal response from students, to deepen their awareness and ability to use art as a means of self-expression and communication.
Digital Imaging I (10th - 12th Grades)

This elective will equip students to utilize a digital camera and the computer for art production. Students will design and produce using a digital camera and Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Students are required to have their personal digital camera, card, and card reader. A digital SLR is recommended to get the most out of the class, but another digital camera that has a manual setting that allows for the selection of the aperture, shutter speed and ISO is required.
Digital Imaging- Advanced (11th - 12th)

In this elective, students will develop their digital imaging skills with the camera and computer. They will also be introducing them to additional digital imaging media, such as video for the creation of art. Students will continue to explore and master the digital craft with advanced applications including the camera, Adobe Photoshop and other digital media. Students are required to have their personal digital camera, card, and card reader. A digital SLR is recommended to get the most out of the class, but another digital camera that has a manual setting that allows for the selection of the aperture, shutter speed and ISO is required.
Sculpture/Ceramics I (10th - 12th Grades)

This class will develop knowledge and use of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design by exploring three-dimensional mediums and processes. These mediums include Ceramics (clay), paper sculpture, wire sculpture, plaster, and other sculptural materials. Students will be introduced to a variety of past and present artists, art movements and cultures that relate to these mediums.
Sculpture/Ceramics Advanced (10th - 12th Grades)

This course builds upon the foundational art concepts and skills developed in Sculpture/Ceramics I through more advanced applications of media, concepts, and expressions of ideas. Students are encouraged to begin to develop a personal style of expression and choose 3-D media appropriate for communication of concepts. Projects call for a personal response from the students, to deepen their awareness and ability to use art as a means of self-expression and communication.
AP Studio Art 2-D Design Portfolio (11th - 12th Grades)

Students enrolled in the Advanced Placement 2-D Design Portfolio course are expected to produce 24–30 works of art emphasizing the elements and principles of design. Emphasis is placed on broad interpretation of the design elements and principles and on applying the critique process in written and oral form. Those who take AP 2D Studio Art also need to take AP Studio Art Lab and/or Digital Imaging and/or Advanced Digital Imaging during the same year.
AP Studio Art 3-D Design Portfolio (11th - 12th Grades)

Students enrolled in the Advanced Placement 3-D Design Portfolio course are expected to produce 20–30 works of art emphasizing the elements and principles of design. Emphasis is placed on broad interpretation of the design elements and principles through the use of a variety of 3-D media. The course also emphasizes development of a body of work that is of the student's own choosing. Those who take AP 3D Studio Art also need to take AP Studio Art Lab and/or Sculpture/Ceramics Advanced during the same year.
AP Studio Art Drawing Portfolio (11th - 12th Grades)

Students enrolled in the Advanced Placement Drawing Portfolio Course are expected to produce 24–30 works of art in a variety of drawing media, techniques, and subject matter. Emphasis is placed on drawing from observation; applying color and design principles; developing a body of work that is the student's choice; recognizing the history of art and its role in the development of visual ideas; and critiquing art in written and oral form. Those who take AP Drawing also need to take AP Studio Art Lab (Course #777) or Advanced Drawing and Painting (Course #763) during the same year.
AP Studio Art Lab

This is a year-long independent study lab where students can develop their AP portfolios in a self-guided way. Students who are taking AP Studio Art must have a lab time during the day in order to complete the AP portfolio.
Studio Art- (11th - 12th Grades)

Studio Art is a year-long course designed for self-motivated students who are serious about developing their art portfolio and exploring art as a means of self-discovery and expression. Students will design and produce between 12 and 14 works of art. They will create works that show a variety of media techniques and processes. The prerequisite for this self-motivated class requires a portfolio interview for entrance.
Studio Art- Independent (11th - 12th Grades)

Studio Art is a semester long course designed for self-motivated students who are serious about developing their art portfolio and exploring art as a means of self-discovery and expression. Students will design and produce between 6 and 12 works of art. They will create works that show a variety of media techniques and processes. The prerequisite for this self-motivated class requires a portfolio interview for entrance. This is recommended for 2nd semester seniors who want to develop their portfolios.

Awards & Accolades

NESCO International Bioethics Art Competition (2013) 2 Winners & Student work exhibited in Hong Kong, Mexico City, and the United States; Congressional Art Competition, Atlanta, GA Honorable Mention; Inspire Life Competition Best of Show and People's Choice Award Winners; 20 works selected to be showcased at the Archdiocese Art Show
Inspire Life Competition (2014) Best of Show and People's Choice Winners; 2014 MIFILM Video Competition(Showcased at local AMC Theaters 2nd Place Winner, 1 Honorable Mention; Scholastic Art Awards Golden Key; National Scholastic Art Awards (New York) Silver Key; 35 works selected to be showcased at the Archdiocese Art Show
Inspire Life Competition (2015) Best of Show; Scholastic Art Awards Golden Key; National Scholastic Art Awards (New York) Golden Key; Atlanta Printmaker Studio Print Big Steamroller Exhibition Participation; 35 works selected to be showcased at the Archdiocese Art Show
Scholastic Art Awards (2016) Golden Key; Vans Custom Culture High School Art Competition 7 Students Selected to Participate; 40 works selected to be showcased at the Archdiocese Art Show
Scholastic Art Awards (2017) Golden Key; All-State Art Competition, 4 Winners, 6 Regional Winners; All-State Symposium 6 Participants; National Winner of The James Alan Cox Foundation $500 Scholarship; 40 works selected to be showcased at the Archdiocese Art Show
Scholastic Art Competition (2018) 1 Gold Key, 2 Silver Key, 1 Honorable Mention, 1 All-State Regional Winner, 2 All-State Winners; The Atlanta High School Art Show at the Dogwood Festival 2 Students Selected; SCAD Challenge Photography $1000 Scholarship 1 Honorable Mention; Atlanta GAEA/High Museum Metro Atlanta High School Art Exhibit Celebration 2 Students Selected; Golden Key winner Scholastic Art Competition