Visual Arts
Break the mold! Have the biggest vision you can! If you can’t dream it, it cannot occur! ~Judy Baca, artist, activist, professor
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Fine Art Course OfferingsTop of Page
Art One
Art One at Mount Pleasant High School is a fun, exciting, hands-on course where we investigate the world of art by making art. As we move through the schedule the projects we make assist in learning about great artists and art movements and the elements of art and principles of design. You can expect to make 2 dimensional and 3-dimensional artwork. You will work in media such as pencil and paper, various types of paint, printmaking, sculpture, and digital. We will create many types of artwork and because this is an entry-level course, you don’t need prior experience to join. Also, it is a great way to meet your art requirement and you will develop a good foundation for advancing in the discipline of art should that be your interest. Come join us in the Mount Pleasant art department there is lots to do and learn and there is a place for you.
Crafts
Are you creative? Do you enjoy doing hands-on work? Have you already taken Art 1 or Animation and long for more? Then Crafts is for you. This is an advanced art class that focuses on 3-D, functional art forms, and experimentation of art media. Create your own journal, crochet a new scarf for your friend, design a handbag, or get your hands messy with clay building or plaster casting. This class fulfills both the high school Fine Arts graduation requirement and the UC Fine Art entrance requirement.
Animation 1 – Introduction to Animation & Digital Illustration
This course introduces students to the artistic and technological foundations to create animated presentations for industry and entertainment. Students will develop basic drawing and design skills. Students will learn the fundamentals and history of art and animation as well as the concept of visual communication to a given audience, and techniques for self-expression through a variety of animated formats. They will explore the careers and skills required by animators in both the entertainment and the business world.
Drawing and Painting
This course is designed for students expressing a desire and displaying the ability to continue their art education in creative drawing and painting. The elements of art and principles of design will be discussed and implemented more in-depth. Media covered are oil, acrylics, watercolors, collage, pencil, pen and ink, pastels, scratchboard, and mixed media. The student will learn about and experiment with different painting styles such as realism, naturalism, stylization, impressionism, and abstraction. Art history as it relates to drawing and painting will be covered. This course satisfies the East Side Union High School District's Fine Arts/Foreign Language requirement. This course satisfies the Fine Arts requirement at California State University. This course satisfies 1 unit of the "F" requirement at the University of California and 1 unit of the "G" requirement at California State University.
Animation 1
Introduction to Animation & Digital Illustration
This course introduces students to the artistic and technological foundations to create animated presentations for industry and entertainment. Students will develop basic drawing and design skills. Students will learn the fundamentals and history of art and animation as well as the concept of visual communication to a given audience, and techniques for self-expression through a variety of animated formats. They will explore the careers and skills required by animators in both the entertainment and the business world.
Animation 2
Animation Principles & Design Principles
This course builds on the foundations that students learned in an introduction to animation. Students will continue to learn the artistic and technological foundations to create and design animated presentations for industry and entertainment. Students will develop drawing and design skills. Students will be introduced to the 12 Principles of Animation developed by the Walt Disney Studios. Students will learn the fundamentals and physics of movement, the concept of communication to a given audience, and techniques for self-expression through a variety of animated formats. They will continue to explore the careers and requisite skills required by animators in both the entertainment and the business world.
Animation 3
Traditional & Digital Animation Techniques
This course builds on the foundations that students learned in Animation and Design Principles. Students will create and design art and animated media that closely resemble industry professional problems and works. Students will continue to develop and refine their drawing and design skills. Students will build on their knowledge of basic drawing fundamentals and physics of movement, the concept of communication to a given audience, and techniques for self-expression through a variety of animated formats. They will continue to explore the careers and requisite skills required by animators in both the entertainment and the business world.
Animation 4
Senior Project
This course is the final course in the Animation Program which is a culmination of the foundations that students learned for the last three school years. Students will create and design art and animated media that resemble industry-related problems. Students will continue to develop and refine their drawing and design skills. Students will showcase their knowledge of drawing fundamentals, animated physics, storytelling, and techniques for self-expression through the creation of a senior film, or reel, and portfolio. They will continue to explore the careers and requisite skills required by animators in both the entertainment and the business world
Multimedia Academy
Multimedia One, Multimedia Two, Multimedia Three, Multimedia Four
Our academy is dedicated to supporting youth media, we have been able to offer a variety of professional opportunities to our students. The Multimedia Academy helps students transform their ideas into media work and become active participants in society, owners of their creative work, and provides a meaningful path to college and careers in the media arts. The work is reflective, innovative, and representative of the diversity of young people who are eager to tell their own stories. Students’ films have screened at the local, state, national, International and twice at The United Nations in New York City. Students from this program have been recipients of the Adobe Scholarship and finalists and winners of the film awards for the past eight years. The Multimedia Academy continues to inspire and support students in developing and nurturing their creative spirit, and connecting youth both to their local community and to a global community of young creators.
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Visual Arts FacultyTop of Page
Lawrence Caces
William Cavada
Colleen Henry
Thomas Johnson
Elizabeth Unpingco