Visual Art at ACPA

Get muddy and learn to manage the various stages of clay as you build and glaze everything from useful objects to creative creatures. Use your creativity and develop persistence as you make each project your own and learn the ins and outs of the ceramics studio at ACPA.

You've already fallen in love with clay.  Now challenge yourself to develop concepts and create clay projects with deeper meaning. Become leaders in the ACPA ceramics studio.

Gain experience with realism and illustration.  Apply your skills and learn more about various media as you draw from observation, imagination and your memory. Learn to use references, research and planning to bring your concepts and inspirations to life.

Do you love drawing? Are you willing to work hard and get out of your comfort zone to take your skills and concepts to the next level? In this course you will grow your skills, your concepts and your studio habits as you draw from observation, imagination and your memory.

Gain experience with various paint media, color theory and the study of both contemporary and historical art.  This course will explore realism through abstraction, giving you a chance to paint for fun as you learn strategies to create more successful images more of the time.

This course is for students who already have experience with one or more painting media and are ready to go to the next level with their image making. We will explore various paint media, color theory/application and the study of contemporary and historical art. Come ready to focus and learn to make your ideas into solid works of art.

Now that you are comfortable in the Digital Lab, create a multimedia body of work with a cohesive theme. Revisit your digital art portfolio and challenge yourself to refine old skills and build new ones through revisions of old projects and the creation of new ones!

During the fall, 9th grade students will experience a variety of art forms over the course of the semester. Every few weeks, students will rotate to a new art taught by a new teacher, allowing them to experience a range before narrowing their focus for a spring semester course. This course is required for 9th graders.

Become familiar with the art studios at ACPA while you dabble and delve into different art making techniques, styles and approaches. Your main tools for this class will be a sketchbook/visual journal, your  imagination and your willingness to try new things.

Get ready to break the mold in Fashion —a course where creativity meets sustainability! In this dynamic class, you'll explore the art of fashion using unconventional materials, transforming recycled treasures and unexpected finds into bold, wearable works of art. Embrace sustainable design as your guide and push the boundaries of traditional fashion with innovative techniques and eco-friendly practices. This course is all about rethinking what fashion can be—fun, fearless, and forward-thinking. Unleash your inner designer, make a statement, and create styles that are as unique and responsible as they are unforgettable!

Unleash your creativity in this dynamic jewelry-making course where you'll learn to transform everyday materials into stunning, wearable art. Dive into hands-on projects that cover the fundamentals—from sawing, piercing, filing, and sanding to innovative surface enrichment techniques. Create a dazzling array of pieces including chains, pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings using a mix of metals, paper, beads, stones, found objects, fibers, and recycled treasures. This course is designed to ignite your passion for design and push your artistic boundaries. Please note, if you have sensory sensitivities, some techniques may present challenges.

Dive deeper into the art of metal and jewelry making in this cutting-edge course! Building on the foundations from Jewelry 1, you’ll refine your skills and experiment with fresh processes, innovative techniques, and the latest trends in jewelry design. Whether you're inspired to craft wearable masterpieces or push boundaries with non-wearable art, this course invites you to transform metal—and even alternative materials—into bold, expressive works of art. Get ready to challenge yourself, break conventions, and let your creativity shine in every piece you create!

Step into a realm where ideas take shape and materials come alive! You'll explore the transformative power of three-dimensional art as you experiment with a diverse range of materials—wood, plaster, paper, metal, fiber, and found objects to create captivating works that express your unique vision. Drawing inspiration from both timeless historical models and cutting-edge contemporary innovations, this course challenges you to push creative boundaries, master essential tools and techniques, and turn raw substances into compelling visual statements. With each project, you'll deepen your understanding of art while honing your ability to communicate ideas and emotions in dynamic, tactile form.

Students will become familiar with the art of story telling through the lens of film. Films will be a variety of genres and will give students the chance to tell their own stories while learning the importance of visual techniques and visual storytelling.

Students take an independent study approach to film, and dive deeper into the industry and specific directors. Students pick a director to focus on through the year and create films through a lens specific to that director. They also mentor Videography students on their film festival films.

Students take an independent study approach to film, and dive deeper into the industry and specific directors. Students pick a director to focus on through the year and create films through a lens specific to that director. They also mentor Videography students on their film festival films.

Are you a dedicated musician, dancer, visual artist, actor, writer, or other kind of artist? Have you ever wanted to collaborate with someone from another art form? Do you want to push your creative boundaries…and maybe get a little weird? 

In this course, senior artists from all art forms will come together to connect, collaborate, and create. Throughout the year, we will explore what it means to make a life - not just a living - in the arts.

Students who are highly motivated and want to push themselves to make their best artwork should consider taking this challenging course. Build a high-quality portfolio through in-depth exploration of the Elements and Principles of Art, a supportive studio setting, and creative personal vision. You will be expected to stretch outside of your comfort zone to create a portfolio with a large variety of media, techniques and approaches to art-making as well as to focus on your own BIG IDEAS. Students will submit their portfolio to the College Board in May.