VISUAL ARTS

NESA’s leadership believes that the visual arts have a special role in supporting its STEAM-based curriculum. Choosing to enroll in an arts-focused institution is an important, potentially life-changing decision – one that can lead to learning how to use visual tools to be become a strong communicator and leader. At NESA, we believe that introducing the serious study of visual arts to the innovative learner will help develop a specialized skill set that is important in solving the problems of today’s world.

Students in NESA’s visual arts courses will explore complex problems and respond by thinking strategically, communicating clearly, and building on basic skills to create, understand and critique unique visual solutions. Our instructors concentrate on helping students acquire a hands-on understanding of the components of visual literacy including two-dimensional composition, color, line, shape, value and typography - skills necessary to gain fluency in the visual world.

Sample Graduation Track for Visual Arts Students

  • First Semester

    • Survey of English

    • Algebra 1

    • World Geography

    • Physical Science

    • Physical Education: Swimming

    • Studio Art 1

    • Studio Art 2

    • Spanish 1

    Second Semester

    • Survey of English

    • Algebra 1

    • Physical Science

    • Physical Education: Swimming

    • Studio Art 1

    • Studio Art 2

    • Spanish 1

  • First Semester

    • World Literature

    • Geometry

    • World History

    • Biology

    • Spanish 2

    • Sculpture 1

    • Painting 1 and 2

    Second Semester

    • World Literature

    • Geometry

    • Biology

    • Spanish 2

    • Health

    • Information and Communication Technologies

    • Sculpture 1

    • Painting 1 and 2

  • First Semester

    • American Literature

    • Trigonometry

    • U.S. History

    • Physics 1 and 2

    • Advanced Sculpture 2

    • Advanced Painting 3 and 4

    • New Forms 1 and Advanced Forms 2

    Second Semester

    • American Literature

    • Trigonometry

    • U.S. History

    • French 2

    • Physics  1 and 2

    • Advanced Sculpture 2

    • Advanced Painting 3 and 4

    • New Forms 1 and Advanced Forms 2

  • First Semester

    • British Literature

    • Personal Finance & American Government/Civics

    • Art History 1 and 2

    • Fashion Art 1 and 2

    • Advanced Sculpture

    • Senior Portfolio

    Second Semester

    • British Literature

    • Personal Finance & American Government/Civics

    • Art History 1 and 2

    • Fashion Art 1 and 2

    • Advanced Sculpture

    • Senior Portfolio

Course Offerings

Studio Art 1

The Art I curriculum will introduce students to studio experiences, art history & cultural connections, art vocabulary, aesthetics, and the process of art criticism. It is a foundation course and is mandatory to advance to other art courses.

Studio Art 2

The Art II curriculum will strengthen basic art skills by providing additional studio experiences, in-depth cultural information, and increased vocabulary. Art II students will be expected to exhibit greater proficiency in all skills and technical ability.

Digital Photography 1

The Photography curriculum builds upon previous art learning and provides students with in-depth photography experiences. Photography will introduce students to camera skills, studio experiences, art history & cultural connections, art vocabulary, aesthetics, and the process of art criticism.

Painting 1 and 2

Over the course of the year students will be introduced to the terms color and design. They will explore their creative thoughts using a sketchbook and study representational and non-representational  skills as well as abstract ideas. They will utilize acrylics in their study to paint landscapes, portraits and still life. They will employ elements of texture, pattern, light and color to create inspired, expressive paintings.

Advanced Painting 3 and 4

This is an advanced painting course where students will learn through class projects, group discussion, guided exercises and critiques. The class will explore color, composition, and expression in the medium of paint. Composition, observation, and rendering skills will be emphasized as students explore a range of painting media and are introduced to oil paints. 

Sculpture 1

In this course students will be exposed to an overview of 3d design, sculpting & finishing techniques. They will explore new materials with an appreciation of sculptural three-dimensional forms. Materials included may involve  clay, wood, metal, cloth, paper, and plaster.

Advanced Sculpture 2

Sculpt your ideas! In Sculpture 2 students will expand on concepts taught in Sculpture I. This will involve advanced work, with longer and specialized projects. Focus may be placed on a topic of sculptural relevance not previously covered (installation, public art, new media, etc.). Readings, presentations, and class trips relating to contemporary art complement studio work. 

New Forms 1 and Advanced Forms 2

Semester I: Students will analyze types of forms and materials used in a wide variety of sculptures. Students will then experiment with line in both two and three dimensions to see how shapes become forms. 

Semester II: Students will apply concepts taught in Semester I. This course challenges students to take risks, experiment with new art media, and explore personal concepts to develop a portfolio of artworks. Students will research the work of present day artists employing studio processes such as collaboration, digital technology, installation, inter-arts, mixed-media, performance, and site specific works. Each student will concentrate on a particular interest or problem as evidenced in a theme related, cumulative portfolio and sketchbook/journal.

Art History 1 and 2

This class takes art students through the history of the ancient world to the 21st century. Students will explore the historical advancements in arts and culture through the Renaissance in the first semester and begin the second semester in the Baroque period taking them by the end of the year to the present day.

Fashion Art 1 and 2

In semester I students will learn the elements of a basic fashion design sketch and start to develop their own. This course teaches students how to understand, analyze, and draw the front view of fashion figures. They will learn how to develop their own design ideas as fashion sketches and explore the basic silhouettes used in the fashion design industry.

In semester II students will  continue to develop and refine their understanding of fashion figures, garment details, and construction. They will also learn tips and tricks for rendering popular fabrics in the sportswear market and develop a "flat sketch" from a garment and fashion figure, required for portfolio submissions.

Senior Portfolio

In this course students will build on the skills learned throughout their high school years and work toward their senior visual art portfolio. The portfolio will include their completed projects of major works, personal reflection on the process and skills learned as well as 

independent research into contemporary and historical art. They will work closely with their teacher to ensure their portfolio is complete for college application and work toward a capstone project that gives back to the City of Lebanon in some way (tunnel mural, painted fountain, etc.)