Naperville North High School requires all students to have at least half a fine arts credit in order to graduate. With over 30 semester-long courses to choose from, students can be overwhelmed by selecting only one. From the most popular courses to ones that can advance your art skills, here is a guide to fine arts courses at Naperville North.
Drawing 1
This course is meant for novice artists who want to learn fundamental drawing skills. In Drawing 1, students learn a variety of drawing techniques utilizing oil pastels and angular shapes.
Students will also complete a self portrait project.
This course is considered a stepping stone for students who want to develop their artistic skills. Janell Matas, North’s drawing and painting instructor explains how Drawing 1 lays a foundation of artistic skills to be built upon in the future.
"Students practice the proper techniques to create value, texture, and detail, then apply that to artworks such as still life, landscape, fantasy and portraiture. In more advanced classes, I teach them how to use subject matter, composition, and media to create their own meaning for their artwork," Matas said
There are four levels of Drawing if students wish to further their artistic skills.
NNHS senior and Drawing 1 student Eva Arriola says the class has improved her artistic skills.
“I like taking drawing to learn about the artistic process because it helps me grow as an artist," Arriola said
Ceramics 1
Ceramics 1 is a course for students who enjoy hands-on learning. Techniques learned in this course include pinching, coiling and working with soft slab and hard slab clay. Students will also learn about ceramic art in different cultures throughout history. NNHS ceramics teacher Shay Rehs says it’s a must-take course for students.
"It's the best class at North! Word on the street is that you don't have to be able to draw or be creative and do amazing things in here," said Rehs
Students who complete Ceramics 1 are encouraged to continue into Ceramics 2, 3 and 4 where students are introduced to glazing techniques, create larger pieces and learn the pottery wheel.
Photography
Students have the opportunity to take one of a variety of photography courses offered at NNHS.
In Photography 1 Traditional, students learn how to use a film camera and develop the film using a darkroom. Students are required to have access to a 35mm SLR camera. Film and photographic paper are also required to take the course, both of which can be purchased from the school store.
Students who complete Photography 1 Traditional can take Photography 2 Traditional to advance and challenge the skills developed in the prerequisite.
"My favorite part of the class is the dark room. It's just a fun environment overall," Frendreiss said
After Photography 1 Traditional, students can also opt to take Photography 2 Digital. This course expands on the skills learned in Photography 1 as students work with digital cameras, learn digital photo manipulation, photo repair and more. Megan Kelly, a photography instructor at Naperville North, says that despite the new medium, they should not be deterred from creating art in the class.
"Most students are intimidated to learn a new technique in art for fear that they aren’t “creative”, but in reality, anyone can make art! It really just takes practice to perfect your skills," Kelly said.
Jewelry & Metals
Jewelry & Metals 1 is a course for students interested in creating metal works using copper, brass, and silver. Topics covered include learning how to saw, pierce, and solder in order to create pendants, bracelets, and silver rings.
Digital Art
This course allows students to explore and learn digital art through Adobe Photoshop in an environment similar to professional graphic design industries. Students can become proficient in the software, as well as creating meaningful pieces of digital art that have impact on the viewer.
Film & Video Arts
This class is a hands-on introduction to the process of filmmaking. Anyone interested in learning the process of filmmaking is encouraged to take this course where they will learn how to use digital cameras and software, understand visual elements and principles and create short films that focus on storytelling.
As the deadline approaches for next year's course selection, it is important to remember that fine arts courses at NNHS make an impact beyond students’ technical art skills. . For many, their fine arts courses are opportunities to grow artistically and personally. Kelly says no matter the course, an arts class is beneficial to students.
"art classes can be a wonderful way to allow yourself to relax and unwind during a hectic school day," Kelly said.