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Denver School of the Arts
VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
HANDBOOK
DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
The DSA Visual Arts Program is designed to give students with a strong interest and/or ability in visual arts the opportunity for in-depth study of all aspects of art. Curriculum spirals out from solid foundation classes at the middle school level into a more open, individualized and project-based education in the high school. Strong technical skill in various media, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking and historical background all play integrated roles in this study. Students learn to read, write and talk about art as well as create it.
Individuality is important to the development of personal vision and voice in art. We seek to nurture the creative spirit as we provide a strong academic base from which to grow. However, visual art requires hard work, regular practice and a commitment to grow, change and evolve.
Not all Visual Arts students will pursue a career in the arts. The VA Department’s primary goal is to create lifelong advocates for the arts with a sophisticated sense of visual literacy. It is our hope that students leave DSA with a strong appreciation of art and skills to decipher, evaluate and comprehend meaning in our contemporary world. Our talented and skilled graduates leave DSA with a strong portfolio preparing them for a career in the visual arts should that be their choice of profession.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pamela Hawkins, pamela_hawkins@dpsk12.org
Deb Rosenbaum, deb_rosenbaum@dpsk12.org
VA Studio Phone: 720 424-1776
Please use the Visual Arts Webpage under “Majors”
at www.dsa.dpsk12.org for current information
FACULTY
Pamela Hawkins
Pamela obtained her B.A. in Painting from Metropolitan State College in Denver. She holds an MFA in Ceramic Sculpture from University of Denver, and a Masters in Studio Art--Ceramics from Northern Arizona University. An art teacher with 17 years experience, including college, Pamela taught Ceramics, Drawing, Painting and Design at East High School before coming to DSA. She has written curriculum for AP Art History and completed training for AP Studio Art. She is a practicing clay/installation artist with numerous exhibitions and has strong ties to the greater Denver arts community. This is her fourth year at DSA. She has lived in Japan, Libya and Okinawa. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of four.
Deb Rosenbaum
A native of Denver, Deb holds a B.A. in Art History from the University of California and has studied art education, botanical illustration, jewelry and metalwork at the graduate level. She chaired the art department at Hannan High School in New Orleans for nine years developing curriculum for studio art, art history and Louisiana History. As director of the Director of the Kauai Academy of Creative Arts she received state grants to write art and social studies curriculum for public elementary schools in Hawaii. Her works are in the state art collection of Hawaii. She currently works in clay, drawing and mixed media box assemblage. Deb has received study fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (1995) the National Endowment for the Humanities (2003), Chicago Art Institute and Kansas City Art Institute (2005), the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund, (2006), and the Public Education Business Coalition (2007). Deb currently serves on the Public Art Committee for the City of Denver.
AUDITION AND ACCEPTANCE TO THE VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
The majority of new students are accepted into the 6th and 9th grades. Other grades are accepted on a space available basis. Openings are influenced by available spaces school-wide in each grade level. Students interested in applying to the department are required to submit an application to the school office and attend a pre-audition meeting in December. Drawing auditions and interviews are scheduled at this meeting for late January/early February. Acceptance decisions are made in February for the following school year. Drawing auditions are one hour and students return a few days later for portfolio review and a short interview. See audition rubric for specific information.
RE-AUDITION INTERVIEWS
VA students are required to schedule an annual review with the art faculty in the spring. Students must present an updated resume and portfolio of all work from the current school year and be prepared to discuss their growth and objectives for the next year. Annual reacceptance into the program is dependent on grades, participation, attitude and work ethic.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum is designed to spiral out from a tight center of basic skills and knowledge in the middle school to new media in grade 9 – 10 and finally into more open-ended, project-based curriculum at the high school level. (See VA Scope and Sequence Chart) DSA curriculum is aligned with Denver Public School District and State Visual Arts Standards. Students at all levels will have the opportunity to learn skills and concepts while experiencing a variety of media. Department curriculum is integrated with two and three-dimensional forms and includes art history, art criticism, writing, speaking, art technique and principles. We aspire to integrate other disciplines and departments at DSA with visual art projects.
Visual Art Majors are divided into three tiers: beginner, intermediate and advanced. All VA students have art for a 90-minute block daily. Teachers reserve the right to place students based on their maturity, skill level, or class size rather than chronological age or grade. (Currently 8th and 11 grade classes are split because there are seven grades of VA but only five class sections.) Students alternate between the two art teachers each semester.
Beginning Level, Grades 6 – 8, Fundamentals
Emphasis is placed on the art elements, principles of design, foundation drawing, and painting. Western and Non-Western Art History through the Renaissance Period is presented through a variety of themes such as Sacred Spaces, Power and Authority and the Figure in Art. Students will develop art vocabulary as they learn to analyze works of art and participate in critiques. Classes usually participate in a group community service art project.
Intermediate Level, Grades 9 – 10, New Techniques
Students will continue to explore the art elements, drawing, painting and design through the medium of printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry. Students are exposed to a variety of art career choices. Impressionism through Modern Art periods are surveyed. Guest artists provide additional experiences and study. Students learn to accept and implement suggestions and critiques from their instructors and peers.
Advanced Level, Grades 11 – 12, Portfolio Development
As students acquire mastery in theory and technique, they are encouraged to develop a personal voice and to identify themes and techniques of particular interest to them. Emphasis is on the completion of a breadth portfolio demonstrating skills at the end of the junior year. Seniors complete a concentration portfolio exploring a specific theme and media of their choice. A required senior group show is held every spring. Contemporary Art and “new media” will be surveyed in art history. Growth and experimentation are expected.
Individual class SYLLABI are given for each class at the beginning of the term. The syllabus provides the standards and class objectives, requirements, grading information, format and content of the class. Class syllabi can be found on the department web page.
The Visual Arts Department also offers art electives. VA Majors are generally discouraged from taking these electives as they are geared toward non-majors, however, students new to our program may be advised to take a foundations art elective. Course offerings vary each semester but may include photography, printmaking, drawing and painting, ceramics and sculpture. Advanced Placement Studio is optional for VA majors in the 12th grade.
DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory gallery reviews are designed to encourage students to view art in person and formally present their ideas in written form. Students must view art exhibits at museums or galleries in person around the city, and type their reviews. A Gallery Form must be completely filled out for each visit and can be downloaded from the VA web page. Students follow the 4-step format learned in class. Two typed reviews are required of middle school students each semester. Three typed reviews are required per semester of high school majors. Students may get teacher approval to present their reviews and interviews in alternative forms such as orally, video or audiotape.
Artist Interviews are required each semester from all high school students. Forms can be found on the web page. This assignment gives students the opportunity to discuss career and higher education choices as well as get advice from real professional working artists.
All students are required to attend all quarter shows that feature their work. Openings are held in the evening at DSA at the end of each quarter and are preceded by an optional family potluck dinner. A 20% commission will be subtracted from all student work that is sold while on display at DSA. Funds will be placed in the VA scholarship fund.
Critiques are a fundamental part of art education. Review and constructive criticism is a learning process that promotes growth and critical thinking through open dialogue. VA students must develop verbal and writing skills to explain their thoughts and objectives in making art and be able to evaluate the work of others. The critique is also a forum for exploring a variety of political, social, emotional and philosophical issues. Students will be taught skills and etiquette for critiques and will become familiar and comfortable with the process.
VA students are required to enter art competitions and shows outside of DSA and are encouraged to enter as many as possible. Pirate Gallery's annual Day of the Dead Show, Scholastic Art, and Denver Public Schools annual show are examples of “outside” shows. Competitions and art contests are announced throughout the year and posted on the web and on the 2D studio bulletin board. Middle School students must participate in two contests or shows per year and High School Students must enter three contests or shows per year. Due to contest and preparation demands, selected student work (including that of graduating seniors) may not be returned until the following academic year.
Toolboxes containing personal supplies must be brought to class every day. “VA Toolbox” requirements can be found on the web site. All levels keep the same toolbox for their entire stay at DSA but must periodically replace pencils, blades, erasers or lost items. Teachers give preparation points for having all materials on hand.
Sketchbooks are an artist’s most valuable tool. It is a place to make sketches for all projects, a sourcebook filled with class notes and observations, a journal for thoughts and feelings, and a place to collect visuals found in various media. Students are expected to bring their sketchbooks to every class and to get in the habit of keeping it with them at all times. Sketchbooks may be graded in some classes.
SUPPLY FEES
Student studio fees are $45 per year for middle school and $55 per year for high school and are paid at registration. They are designed to pay for consumable supplies used by the student such as paint, paper, and clay. Denver Public Schools provides a small budget that is used for tools, machinery, paper towels, soap and the rest of consumable supplies. Students may wish to purchase things for their own specific projects, which extend beyond the scope of the class assignment. Students may be assigned specific objects to gather or bring in from home, which will not need to be purchased. Specific supplies for each class will be listed in the class syllabus.
PLAGIARISM
All work done for presentation (i.e. audition, critiques, portfolio, assignments, contests, shows etc.) must be original. Work that makes use of photographs, published images or other artists’ work must show substantial and significant development beyond duplication. It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and often violates copyright law to simply copy an image (even in another medium) that was made by someone else.
Students should consult with their teacher if they have any question about the appropriate use of a model. It is traditional and acceptable in the study of art to copy the work of others as a learning exercise; however, all copied work should be clearly labeled "after the work of" (supply name of artist).
HARD WORK, FLEXIBILITY AND KEEPING AN OPEN MIND
Teen students often complain that their teachers try to "make them" work in a style or technique they don't like. Some believe they have a “personal style”, not subject to review or critique. Students often state that rules or discipline don’t apply to art.
DSA students are expected to commit to hard work and discipline in all art forms. Drawing, sketching and other art exercises are considered practice drills in the same way musicians practice scales or dancers stretch. Serious study of art includes research, writing, and continued practice of skills previously learned. Students are expected to put in time outside of class on assignments and projects. It is assumed that students come to DSA to learn about all facets of art. Students must be open to comprehensive study and experimentation.
Some assignments encourage students to inject their own subject matter, personality and style more than others, however all school assignments are designed to reinforce or teach specific concepts and skills. Assignments often require students to solve particular technical or creative problems. Part of the art school challenge is for the student to make each assignment interesting for her/himself. Many exercises are designed to push students in new directions, beyond their current comfort zones.
DEPARTMENT RULES
Punctuality
Students are required to arrive on time to class and be prepared to work as soon as class begins. College art classes are typically three hours long; at DSA we have only 90 minutes, so studio time is considered valuable. Tardy students miss important instruction and warm-up exercises and usually disrupt the class when they enter late. Consult individual class syllabi for specific teacher policies regarding tardies.
Absences and Late Work
Students are responsible for all work regardless of absences, suspensions or other school commitments. In the event of an excused absence, students will be given two days for each day missed to make up work. Family trips are not considered an excused absence and make up work is at the discretion of the instructor. Consult individual class syllabi for teacher policies regarding late work. Penalties for truancy are outlined in the DSA Student Handbook and apply in all VA classes.
Graffiti
DSA policy prohibits graffiti in any parts of the school. We are proud of our facility and want to keep our art displays "temporary" and removable so everyone has an opportunity to show their work. We provide opportunities for VA students to show their work in a manner that does not deface the building or its grounds. Students are not allowed to draw or paint on any equipment, furniture or building spaces in any of the art studios. Defacing the work of others in the studio or while on display is not permitted. If you have any questions about appropriate placement or permanence of artwork, please ask. The principal must approve mural and installation proposals.
Studio Behavior
Art studios by nature are noisy places due to concrete floors, high ceilings and machinery. Horseplay, yelling and other disruptive behaviors are magnified in this setting and are not permitted in the art studios. While some students may be able to work with music and loud talking, others may find these distractions disruptive. Since the studios are communal workspaces, instructors will determine the appropriate sound level according to activity. A quiet studio helps all students benefit from comments and suggestions made to individuals.
Earphones cut students off from their teachers and peers and prevent students from hearing useful information and comments made during class. See class syllabi for specific rules regarding head phones. Cell phones are not permitted at any time in the classroom. Teachers reserve the right to confiscate cells phones from students if seen during class.
Students are required to follow all safety procedures posted in each studio. This includes use of equipment, fire and emergency procedures. Failure to comply with rules will result in suspension of studio privileges and/or assigned maintenance and clean up duties as deemed necessary by the instructors.
Food is prohibited in all DSA classrooms. It is especially dangerous to mix food and art materials. No food or drink of any kind is allowed in the art studios with the exception of water bottles with a screw-on lid or cap. Students should remember to wash their hands after working in the studio before handling food.
Respect and honesty is mandatory for a successful learning environment and communal workspace. All students should be aware of and respectful of the work of others to avoid damage. Constructive comments are a part of the educational process in art, but should be reserved for formal critique sessions or when they are directly asked for. Respect for teachers and all students is expected at all times.
GRADING
The grading plan for each class is outlined in its individual syllabi.
Class Participation is evaluated on attendance, attitude, behavior, work ethic and class critiques.
Tests and quizzes are an important tool for assessing comprehension and progress. Students are expected to learn art vocabulary and concepts, as well as techniques, so they can fully participate in dialogue and discussions. A successful artist must be able to spell and communicate.
Projects consist of longer assignments that often require additional time outside of class to complete. They may include gathering specific materials, research, and presentation of a finished piece.
VISITING ARTISTS
Visiting artists are an important component of the DSA visual arts education. The DSA Friends and other contributors provide funds for this purpose. Guest artists may present a talk, slide show or demonstration of their work, or, they may be invited to do specialized workshops for our students. Guests may also be used to provide expertise in setting up a particular area or program. Many art school representatives visit our classes to show student work and to talk about advanced art study.
Visual Arts Majors are highly encouraged to take advantage of special presentations within the department even if the presenter is not specifically for their class or in their particular area of interest. Students are required to attend presentations held during their scheduled class and to treat all guests with respect.
Parents and students are invited to suggest artists to the Visual Arts Faculty for possible inclusion. The faculty will review and interview all prospective presenters to be sure their presentation is appropriate and relevant to current study. Visiting artists who have specific skills and talents not offered by our faculty are preferred.
VIEWING ART IN PERSON
The Denver area offers a wealth of diverse visual art experiences in the form of museums, galleries and performances. Viewing a variety of visual art forms in person, rather than on the Internet, is crucial to understanding and appreciation of art. Class field trips will be scheduled throughout the year in addition to gallery trip assignments that students will need to do on their own time. Students may be asked to pay for bus transportation when used since DPS does not provide funds for buses.
Students should become familiar with the Denver Art Museum and may plan to visit different, specific floors or shows (on different occasions) at the museum to fulfill their review requirements. The museum is free on the first Saturdays of every month. have Maps of Denver showing areas with concentrations of galleries can be found in the VA studio./
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The VA Department has an open studio day on Mondays after school from 3:00 – 4:30. Students using the clay room must have completed a studio course in ceramics. Special sessions may be scheduled including figure drawing after school throughout the year. Some classes, such as painting or photography with outside instructors, require a fee. Check the VA web page and DSA newsletter for offerings.
VA FAMILY GROUP ORGANIZATION
Parents are a vital part of our program. Active families support and assist Visual Art Department activities in many ways. Please be sure the VA teachers have your current and correct e-mail address for news. Parents without e-mail can keep in touch through parent phone trees. Please see the instructors for information on how to get in the loop.
Parents help chaperone field trips, assist in the classroom, help with fundraisers, and assist us in hanging shows and preparing work for contests. Please plan to attend our Family Group meetings posted on the web site. Our quarter shows are usually preceded by a family potluck supper that parents are urged to attend.
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