2014-2015 syllabus Art 1: Foundations of Visual Art

Long Reach High School Art Ms. Bulkowski-Larsen

Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.
Leo Tolstoy
Welcome to Art 1!
In this class, you will be introduced to the materials and methods of making art. Learning the
visual arts can be compared to learning a language, like French or Japanesefirst you learn
words, then you write sentences, then you are able to have a conversation, and you might
eventually write a poem or novel in that language. A master of language thinks and dreams in
that language and speaks it fluently. Art is not merely talent: like French or Japanese, the
language of art can be learned; and, just as with French or Japanese, learning the language
of art takes study, concentration, and practice. Here, you will learn the basic methods,
materials, and visual vocabulary necessary to the making and understanding of visual art. By
the end of the term you will be amazed by how well you are able to speak and understand the
language of ART!
Throughout the year, I will guide you through a number of art problems for which your
solutions will be in the form of drawings, paintings, mixed media, and sculptures. To inspire
and direct you through the process of making these artworks, we will look at examples from
the fine and applied arts, from both the past and present. As well, you will discover and
experience the methods that artists use to create art: the initial research, the sketches, the
preliminary studies, the experimentation with media, the final, refined work, and the critique or
reflection on that work.
Fundamental Experiences
In this course you will discover how to: connect your life with your art, identify and apply the
elements of art and principles of design, use a four step process for making critical
judgments, use various idea-generating approaches, including: imagination, observation,
memory, verbal-to-visual, and experimental, develop creative problem solving skills as well
as design and technical skills in a variety of media.
Assessment
As you can see from the above description, this class is process (or performance) based.
You will earn points towards your grade for all of the parts of your process. You will be
graded only on your own performance and progresson your individual effort, growth and
improvementnot on how your finished work compares to that of the other members of the
class. Upon completion of each art problem, you will assess your own process before
submitting the work to me for a grade.
Some of you will grasp the concepts and techniques addressed in this class with relative
ease; others may need to work extra hard (including spending time working on art after
school) to earn a top grade. In this way, learning to make art is similar to learning Math,
English, or any other subjectfor some it is easily understood, for others, extra work is
necessary. If you work hard, listen well, and keep an open mind, you will amaze yourself with
what you are able to achieve artistically.
Each student will maintain a portfolio that will be stored in the classroom and that will contain
all of the work done in class and at home. Students may take work home only at the end of
the term, or with the instructors permission.
Grading Policy
1. Incomplete work will not be accepted; only finished work will receive a grade.
2. Deadlines will be set at the discretion of the instructor. For each day late, an assignment
will lose 10%.
3. Most often, the major assignments will be graded on a 100-point scale. This system allows
the teacher and the pupil to evaluate specific strengths and identify areas, which need
improvement. Your work will be assessed based on the given objectives of the
assignment. You will often complete a self-assessment rubric from which your grade
will be derived. The grading scale is as follows: A90 100, B80 89,C70
79, D60 69, and E0 59
4. The mid-term and final exam will be combined to account for 14 % of your final course
grade.
5. If you are legally absent, you may make up missed workyou are permitted a one-day
extension for every day you are absent. You are responsible for asking the instructor
for missed work. The nature of the work missed may require that you work at school,
rather than at home. It is up to the instructor to decide on what day and at what time
this will occur.
Homework
Throughout the semester, assignments will be given which will require you to spend time
working at home or in the art studio outside of your scheduled class time. Generally these
homework assignments will be completed in your visual journal; you should expect to spend
two hours of work outside of class on average. Homework must be turned in on the date due
in order to receive full credit.
Materials Needs
You are required to have a usable #2 pencil with eraser everyday!
A bound sketchbook is necessary to meet all course requirements including daily warm
ups. Having one on hand for idea generation and preliminary brainstorming / sketching is a
major component of building a strong college level portfolio. Choose the size that feels right
to you since there are a great deal of sizes and shapes. It is highly recommended that you
purchase a 5 x 7-inch or 9 x 12-inch hardbound (preferred) or spiral bound sketchbook of
good quality. Tablet bound sketchbooks (bound with tape only), are discouraged, as they
tend to fall apart quickly, which increases the probability of lost assignments.
Whether you purchase a sketchbook, adapt / find / appropriate a second-hand book, or
make one yourself, it is a necessary component of this art class and will serve as a
way to complete assignments, brainstorm, and gather information that pertains to your
experiences in class each day.
The art department will provide all other materials for artwork made in this class.
Class Routine
When the bell rings, you are expected to be in your seat and to cease all conversation. If you
arrive early and wish to begin working on your project right away, that is fineas long as you
are in your seat and quiet when the bell rings. I will begin class by taking attendance and
directing your attention to the front board where I will have written out for you the warm up,
objective, and activity. Any pertinent information will be delivered at this time, including
instructions and demonstrations, due dates and examples. The bulk of the class period will be
devoted to studio work. During studio time, gentle conversation is permitted. However,
whenever I am addressing the whole class, or when we are engaged in a class discussion, all
other conversation must cease. Occasionally, studio work will be suspended briefly so that I
can demonstrate a process to the entire class, lead a discussion, initiate a critique, or make an
important point. Every class will end with the final five minutes (more or less) set aside for
cleanup and for reflection of what we have accomplished and on what is in store for our next
class.
Studio Maintenance
It is expected that everyone will contribute to the maintenance of materials and tools in the art
studio. This room is heavily usedeach day nearly 180 students are sharing this relatively
small space and rather limited materials. As a result, we will need to take extra care to work
together harmoniously! In addition to the expectations outlined in your student handbook
(respecting others, abiding safety rules, etc.), I have detailed a few guidelines specific to this
art class, that all of us must keep in mind. If each of us abides by these directions, our studio
will be a place in which everyone has the opportunity to surpass his or her own expectations
of themselves as artists!
1. All studio tools and materials must be handled with care and respect so that they are in the
best possible condition for the next persons usewhich of course, may be you! Tools
and materials, therefore, must be used only for the purpose for which they are intended.
All studio tools and materials must be returned to their proper placeeven if they were
not properly stored when you arrived in class. Each of you will be held responsible for
equipment you have used.
2. You may leave your seat only to get supplies and to clean up, not to socialize.
3. The studio will be left in excellent condition at the end of every classtools and materials
will be properly stored, works-in-progress will be put away, the tables and stools will be
cleared of all debris. Materials that may have fallen on the floor during studio work periods
will be picked up and stored properly. Proper condition of your table is your responsibility.

4. For some people, a little conversation helps them make art; for others, quiet, focused
thought is best. In this class, talking quietly while you work is okayso long as your
conversation is not adversely affecting your work, or the work of those around you. I will
be the arbiter of how much (or how loud) is too much!
5. ALL SCHOOL RULES ARE IN EFFECT IN MY CLASSROOM. I expect you to be
respectful in your choice of language, behavior (including being in the room before
the tardy bell AND having your cell phone off and put away), treatment of others,
and treatment of art materials. I will extend the utmost respect to you and will ask
for it in return. I will communicate with your parents/guardians, coaches, and
administrators if you are showing disrespect.
CELL PHONE POLICY- keep your cell phone off and away during class. If you have
it out- 1
st
offense- verbal warning 2
nd
offense- contact with parent 3
rd
offense-
referral to administrator.
I am looking forward to a great year of meaningful work and creative expression.
I can be reached at Wanda_BulkowskiLarsen@hcpss.org or
410 313-7117 AND check out the class website
www.lrhslarsen.weebly.com for course information and assignments.

Please return the next page completed and signed by the end of the
week, Friday 8/29/14.






















LONG REACH HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
SYLLABUS CONTRACT
The syllabus is a contract. It can be found on my classroom website at:
http://www.lrhslarsen.weebly.com and clicking on your class section. By signing below, you and
your parents/guardians are acknowledging that you have read the entire course syllabus, and will
abide by and support all of its stated policies.

_____________________________ x_____________________________
student name (please print) student signature


I have reviewed the expectations for this course with the student in my care.

_____________________________ x_____________________________
parent/guardian name (please print) parent/guardian signature

_____________________________ ___________________________________
phone number (home) email address (please print clearly, this is my best way of contacting you)

_____________________________
phone number (work or cell, please indicate)

-PUBLICATION NOTICE-
Some of the work we will be undertaking this year will be used for building a school-based
visual arts website and documented in an art educational research. For this purpose, I, the
teacher will photograph some of your artwork, students working in class, and take some
quotes from reflective statements. Advanced students, Art II and above, will also use their
documented work for a digital portfolio.

Please ask your parents / guardian to sign below giving permission for your artwork to be reproduced
for/in the school based website and art education publication. (I can publish and post only student
work for which parental permission has been granted.) Permission is not required, and the website
and research will in no way affect the assessment and grading of student work throughout the year.

I grant permission for the Long Reach Fine Arts Department to document my child, their artwork, and
reflective statements for publication in school-based websites and art education journals.

x_____________________________________ _________________
parent/guardian signature date