High School & Middle School Art Director:
Crystal McWilliams
mcwilliamsc@bethel.k12.ok.us

Art Assistant:  Heather Washburn
washburnh@bethel.k12.ok.us

Welcome to the Bethel Art Department.  Whether this class is by choice or not, you will find it can be beneficial for you.  And, whether you continue to stay in future art classes or not, what you learn will add to your present skills.  Most of you will use some form of art in other career areas whether you realize it or not.  Many people think of art as drawing and painting and limit it to just that.  But, in reality, art is all around us.  Art is interior design, all forms of advertisements, clothing, cars, technology and computers, while the list goes on.

Art Education is a vital part of the creative and cultural development of the maturing individual and serves as a basis for aesthetic judgment throughout life.  Art Education encourages problem solving and creativity. This is done through a study of knowledge, art history and a series of lessons and projects in a planned progression.    

BETHEL ART DEPARTMENT COURSES

Presently, Bethel's Art Department is for seventh grade through twelfth grade students.  It is designed to introduce the new student to art while challenging those who continue in art.  As units are introduced at one level, the next level reviews and adds a new and more challenging concept or skill to be learned or acquired.  Growth in knowledge, skills and talents should occur.  

CRAFTS

Crafts can be taken as a seventh or eighth grade student.  Many units are explored, some in depth, while others are introduced.  Technical skills are acquired and knowledge is obtained through history, study sheets, planned assignments and projects.  When serious and done correctly, an art student should be able to see how the techniques will create art skills, these skills become their talents.  As students work on individual skill levels, quality art work is the goal.

Units of study include: Drawing, Design, Color, Printing, Art History, and Mixed Media. 

ART I     

Art I is the first course in high school in which a student earns credit for graduation.  A full credit is given for a full year of passing art.  A student generally takes Art I in 9th grade, but may take it in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades.  A year in Crafts is a good background for Art I although it is not a prerequisite.  Some units are reviewed with the addition of new concepts and skills.

Because students are earning credits, more emphasis is placed on fine arts as opposed to crafts.   Quality art work is strongly encouraged.

Units of study include: Drawing, Design, Color, Printing, Art History, and Painting.  Commercial Art and Careers are explored.

ART II

Art II is the second year in high school that a student earns credit in Art.  A student is usually in 10th grade, but may be in 11th or 12th.  Art I is a prerequisite to Art II.  It is a continuation of Art III with the addition of more units in art.  Art II is when students begin to work more independently and a stronger emphasis is placed on quality art work.

Units of study include: Drawing, Design, Color, Printing, Art History, and Painting.

Units added are: Pastels - Chalk / Oil, Oil Bars, 3-D design including Clay, Sculpture, and Mixed Medias. Students are introduced to Computer Graphics and Photography. Students learn how to matt and mount their own art work for presentation.

ART III

Art III is the third year in high school a student earns credit in Art. Art I and II are pre-requisites to Art III.  Art III is a continuation of Art I and II with the addition of more units.  Because students should have a background in art, there is an opportunity to work in their chosen media(s), do more projects and work more independently.

Units of study include: Drawing, Design, Color, Printing, Art History, Painting, Computers, Pastels, Oil Bars, Clay, Sculpture, and Mixed Medias.       

ART IV

Art IV is the fourth year a student may take art for credit. Art I, II, and III are pre-requisites to Art IV.  At this time the students have been exposed to all the Art media.  Students will work independently on projects in all media with direction from the teacher.  Much emphasis is placed on completing matted or framed art work in preparation for a senior section for the art exhibit.  Preparation for college is done through preparing letters and a "resume".   Students will be expected to curate the gallery and the office art work.   

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART

The AP Studio Art Program makes it possible for highly motivated students to do college level work while in high school.   This course may be taken in conjunction with Art III and/or IV.  Students entering the AP Art program are dedicated students who are willing to invest time and effort into completing a strong portfolio for assessment through the National College Board AP Program.   A student's time and dedication will determine his/her outcome.  Highly motivated students can be determined through the following criteria:   Previous completed work from Art I and Art II, dedication in previous art class, completed summer curriculum and completed placement application forms.

Students must successfully pass a comprehensive written test and submit their art work for portfolio reviews to meet requirements for placement into the program.  

The AP Portfolio consists of three sections:  Quality, Breadth and Concentration.  A student is required to complete 24 art pieces, the stated objectives and assignments within the required units and the comprehensive written test to pass the class.