Visual Arts Department
The Visual Arts program at Cypress Falls High School nurtures aspiring artists by providing a rigorous studio-based curriculum that encompasses traditional and contemporary art forms. Students will develop technical proficiency across various media while deepening their understanding of art history and critical analysis, preparing them for further artistic pursuits in higher education or professional art careers. Through regular critiques, exhibitions, and community engagement opportunities, students will refine their creative voice and gain valuable experience in the art world.
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Digital Media
Course Descriptions
Digital Media I - is a foundation course that focuses on digital art making with an emphasis on drawing and photography. Students will explore the Elements of Art and apply the Principles of Design in planning, developing and creating original works of art. While tackling creative challenges, students will familiarize themselves with the Adobe suite, study techniques, contemporary artists and art history as they make cultural connections and explore realities, relationships, and ideas. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of a variety of digital techniques and problem-solving skills. One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course.
o Course Fee: $40
Digital Media II - This second-year art course provides students who have successfully completed an Art I course an opportunity to further develop digital art making skills through the use of advanced concepts and processes. Development of a portfolio is required to move on to Art III, IV, & AP.
o Course Fee: $60
o Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM.
o Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.
Digital Media III – IV – This course is an opportunity to further develop their digital art making skills through the use of advanced concepts and processes. Development of a portfolio is required.
o Course Fee: $60
AP Art - The digital media portfolio course is designed to address a very broad interpretation of digital art making issues. Digital Illustrations, Photography, and Design-work are included in a digital media portfolio. This portfolio allows for a more specific course of study that readily parallels specialized drawing curriculum and programs in college and university art departments as well as in art schools. Works presented in the portfolio may have been produced in art classes and may cover a period longer than a single school year. Work presented in an Advanced Placement Digital Media portfolio may not be included in other Advanced Placement portfolios at another time. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student's best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration.
o Course Fee: $60
o Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course.
o Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.
Drawing/Painting
- Artist: Emely B.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art I
- Media: Magazine Collage & Graphite
- Project: Surrealism Landscape
- Teacher: Heather Mix
- Name: Cecilia Adasme Almoguera
- Grade: 10th
- Level: Art 1, Drawing and Painting
- Medium: Mixed Media
- Project: Elements Review
- Teacher: Paige Maddox
- Name: Caleb Guerra Savon
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art 1, Drawing and Painting
- Medium: Graphite
- Project: Graphite Landscape
- Teacher: Paige Maddox
- Artist: Vanessa N.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art II
- Media: Colored Pencils
- Project: Cultural Identity - Lion Dance of Color
- Teacher: Heather Mix
- Artist: Jayci C.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art II
- Media: Mixed Media
- Project: Elements of Emotion - Anxiety - Tick Tock
- Teacher: Heather Mix
- Artist: Sofia G.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art I
- Media: Mixed Media
- Project: Emphasis in Color
- Teacher: Heather Mix
- Artist: Daniela C.
- Grade: 12
- Level: Art II
- Media: Graphite
- Project: Still Life - Equestrian Harvest
- Teacher: Heather Mix
Course Descriptions
Art I - is a foundation course that uses 2D and 3D materials with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Students will explore the Elements of Art and apply the Principles of Design in planning, developing and creating original works of art. While tackling creative challenges, students will study techniques, contemporary artists and art history as they make cultural connections and explore realities, relationships, and ideas. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of a variety of media and problem-solving skills. One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course.
o Course Fee: $40
Art II - This second-year art course provides students who have successfully completed an Art I course an opportunity to further develop their drawing and painting skills through the use of advanced concepts and processes. Development of a portfolio is required to move on to Art III, IV, & AP.
o Course Fee: $40
o Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM.
o Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.
Art III – IV – This course is an opportunity to further develop their drawing and painting skills through the use of advanced concepts and processes. Development of a portfolio is required.
o Course Fee: $40
AP Art - The drawing portfolio course is designed to address a very broad interpretation of drawing issues. Painting, printmaking, abstract, and observational works are included in a drawing portfolio. This portfolio allows for a more specific course of study that readily parallels specialized drawing curriculum and programs in college and university art departments as well as in art schools. Works presented in the portfolio may have been produced in art classes and may cover a period longer than a single school year. Work presented in an Advanced Placement Drawing portfolio may not be included in other Advanced Placement portfolios at another time. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student's best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration.
o Course Fee: $40
Photography
- Artist: Tatiana Segura
- Grade: 10
- Level: Digital Media II
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Devin Dexter
- Grade: 11
- Level: Photography AP
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Adam Carrasco
- Grade: 11
- Level: Digital Media I
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Color Project
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Alyson Wise
- Grade: 12
- Level: Photography AP
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Valeria Wilshusen Perez
- Grade: 9
- Level: Digital Media I
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Travel Project
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Berry Rojas
- Grade: 12
- Level: Photography AP
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Annika Ruguleiski
- Grade: 12
- Level: Photography AP
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Andreas Sandrea
- Grade: 12
- Level: Photography AP
- Media: Archival Inkjet Print
- Project: Long-Term
- Teacher: Austin Cullen
- Artist: Aubrey L.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Sandwich Negatives
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
- Artist: Diana R.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Abstract Landscape
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
- Artist: Saniya M.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Portrait
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
- Artist: Elise G.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Abstract Landscape
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
- Artist: Shelby H.
- Grade: 9
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Scavenger Hunt
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
- Artist: Jacob F.
- Grade: 11
- Level: Photography I
- Media: Film Photography
- Project: Abstract Landscape
- Teacher: Sophia Castle
Sculpture
- Artist: Courtny Z.
- Grade: 12
- Level: Art 4 Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Ceramics
- Project: Functional Ceramics
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
- Artist: Abigail G.
- Grade: 12
- Level: AP Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Ceramics
- Project: AP Portfolio
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
- Artist: Lola S.
- Grade: 10
- Level: Art I Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Ceramics
- Project: Creature Army
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
- Artist: Jessi A.
- Grade: 9
- Level: Art I Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Printmaking
- Project: Introduction to Printmaking
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
- Artist: Aliyah R.
- Grade: 11
- Level: Art 2 Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Ceramics
- Project: Lyric Sgraffito Pot
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
- Artist: Lyndsey S.
- Grade: 11
- Level: Art 3 Sculpture/Ceramics
- Media: Cardboard
- Project: Cardboard Fashion/Wearable Art
- Teacher: Kristine Barry
Endorsement
Letterman Jacket
To qualify for a jacket, a student must earn a minimum of 2 credits in grades 9-12 from a HS Visual Arts class and a minimum of ten (10) points from various contests and art shows participated in.
Additional letters may be earned from other school activities by completing the letter requirements for those organizations. Points are awarded based on the furthest level of advancement for each contest, not on a cumulation of all available points.