Frequently Asked Questions:
Welcome to the Maggie Walker Art Department - I am glad that you are here! Some of you are here to earn your fine arts credit, after which you'll move on to other electives. Others of you are here to start your four year art journey. Some of you think you're just getting one credir but don't know yet realize that you will be continuing on to Art 2 or 3... High school art class is very different than what you likely remember from middle or elementary school.
Do I need TALENT to do well in art class? NOPE. Talent is nice but it is definitely not required. Success at this level is more about learning and applying specific skills, knowledge, and behaviors. It's really all about practice, patience, effort, and attitude. In fact, sometimes it's better to start with a "blank slate," so to speak .... so coming to class with nothing more than an open mind and a readiness to learn is all you need.
curious, self-motivated, creative and eager to try new things
Is art class FUN? I guess this depends on your definition of "FUN." If you think learning is fun, then this class will be fun. Will I be "entertaining you" every day? NO (my joke telling is especially bad - although I do some impressive punning/rhyming here and there). Will every lesson be easy? NO (who ever said art was easy anyway?). Will you be learning something every day? YES (if not, you weren't paying attention). Will you have to stay focused and work hard - in and outside of class? YES (and some may have to work harder than others in order to keep up). Will you be proud of your accomplishments? I HOPE SO (this is up to you...). Will you will like some things more than others? PROBABLY (maybe you'll like the "easy" things better (?) but it's the challenges that will teach you the most).
Why is ART HISTORY part of the curriculum? Ummmmm...."art" history, hello?! How does one learn about art without learning about its history. Not possible. This class is so much more than learning how to draw. Who has drawn throughout history? What did they draw? Why did they draw? What did they draw with? What surfaces did they draw on? What was the purpose of their drawings? In order to make your own decisions about your own drawings (and everything else that we will do), you need to know what has been done (and what is being done) so that you can learn from it. So the answer is kinda obvious, I think.
Will we have HOMEWORK? This is a class, just like any other class, and - YES - you will have homework. Part of learning about art - and learning to make art - is learning to see/think/work like an artist; seek and find visual information everywhere - and to document drawings, information, ideas, research, - and to reflect on all that you are doing, thinking, and learning. Anything that is assigned to you is meant to be helpful - it's important - and in order to truly learn from it, you must put in the time it deserves. Working at the last minute results in thoughtless and careless work that may fulfill the minimum requirements of an assignment but won't help you to learn and grow (or to make an "A" if that's also what you want).
How are GRADES assigned? Oh, come on now....you know that you EARN grades - I do not GIVE them! Grades at this level (Art 1 and 2) are based on growth and showing evidence that you have learned/applied specific skills and knowledge. Do the work, meet the deadlines, follow the directions, pay attention at all times, ask questions, do extra work when you are struggling, study for tests, use test results for remediation and review, etc. etc., etc....you will then earn the grade you deserve. If you HAVE TO have an "A" on your report card, then you HAVE TO show evidence of "A" level work.
Yes, you DO need to show growth (just saying "I tried" won't cut it)
You choose whether you will succeed or not (what "success" means to you is another question entirely....but one you should think about carefully...scroll down to "How Grades are Given" to learn more)
Why is Art 1 a prerequisite for Topics in Digital Media? I know what you are thinking....awesome, I don't have to draw, the computer will do it for me....WRONG. Beyond drawing, graphic design and computer art are based on Elements of Art, Principles of Design, and............this is what you will learn in Art 1.
What other ART COURSES are offered?
Why is ART class important if I don't want to be an artist? Because its awesome....and everywhere....and it's been around forever....and it's related to everything... and so learning about art will help you in whatever you do.... Go to the "Why Art?" page if you want more of an answer than that!
How much artistic freedom will I have in this class?
Do I need TALENT to do well in art class? NOPE. Talent is nice but it is definitely not required. Success at this level is more about learning and applying specific skills, knowledge, and behaviors. It's really all about practice, patience, effort, and attitude. In fact, sometimes it's better to start with a "blank slate," so to speak .... so coming to class with nothing more than an open mind and a readiness to learn is all you need.
curious, self-motivated, creative and eager to try new things
Is art class FUN? I guess this depends on your definition of "FUN." If you think learning is fun, then this class will be fun. Will I be "entertaining you" every day? NO (my joke telling is especially bad - although I do some impressive punning/rhyming here and there). Will every lesson be easy? NO (who ever said art was easy anyway?). Will you be learning something every day? YES (if not, you weren't paying attention). Will you have to stay focused and work hard - in and outside of class? YES (and some may have to work harder than others in order to keep up). Will you be proud of your accomplishments? I HOPE SO (this is up to you...). Will you will like some things more than others? PROBABLY (maybe you'll like the "easy" things better (?) but it's the challenges that will teach you the most).
Why is ART HISTORY part of the curriculum? Ummmmm...."art" history, hello?! How does one learn about art without learning about its history. Not possible. This class is so much more than learning how to draw. Who has drawn throughout history? What did they draw? Why did they draw? What did they draw with? What surfaces did they draw on? What was the purpose of their drawings? In order to make your own decisions about your own drawings (and everything else that we will do), you need to know what has been done (and what is being done) so that you can learn from it. So the answer is kinda obvious, I think.
Will we have HOMEWORK? This is a class, just like any other class, and - YES - you will have homework. Part of learning about art - and learning to make art - is learning to see/think/work like an artist; seek and find visual information everywhere - and to document drawings, information, ideas, research, - and to reflect on all that you are doing, thinking, and learning. Anything that is assigned to you is meant to be helpful - it's important - and in order to truly learn from it, you must put in the time it deserves. Working at the last minute results in thoughtless and careless work that may fulfill the minimum requirements of an assignment but won't help you to learn and grow (or to make an "A" if that's also what you want).
How are GRADES assigned? Oh, come on now....you know that you EARN grades - I do not GIVE them! Grades at this level (Art 1 and 2) are based on growth and showing evidence that you have learned/applied specific skills and knowledge. Do the work, meet the deadlines, follow the directions, pay attention at all times, ask questions, do extra work when you are struggling, study for tests, use test results for remediation and review, etc. etc., etc....you will then earn the grade you deserve. If you HAVE TO have an "A" on your report card, then you HAVE TO show evidence of "A" level work.
Yes, you DO need to show growth (just saying "I tried" won't cut it)
You choose whether you will succeed or not (what "success" means to you is another question entirely....but one you should think about carefully...scroll down to "How Grades are Given" to learn more)
Why is Art 1 a prerequisite for Topics in Digital Media? I know what you are thinking....awesome, I don't have to draw, the computer will do it for me....WRONG. Beyond drawing, graphic design and computer art are based on Elements of Art, Principles of Design, and............this is what you will learn in Art 1.
What other ART COURSES are offered?
Why is ART class important if I don't want to be an artist? Because its awesome....and everywhere....and it's been around forever....and it's related to everything... and so learning about art will help you in whatever you do.... Go to the "Why Art?" page if you want more of an answer than that!
How much artistic freedom will I have in this class?
