Visual & Performing Arts

"Salesian believes that the arts are an integral part of education. The department intends to foster each student’s artistic, musical or dramatic capabilities in order to allow the student to express his or her creativity."

Debra Shushan, VPA Department Chair

Whether you are looking for a creative outlet to balance your academic studies or you are considering a career in this field, you will find your interests served by Salesian's art program. Students gain proficiency in the basics of drawing, color theory, and design through experience with a wide variety of art media. Course instruction includes painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, design, photography, and other applications.

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Explore Our Curriculum

Art I

Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Art I is a general exploration of the students’ creative skills using a variety of drawing and painting, two and three dimensional techniques and digital media. This course is designed to encourage personal expression through the development of a visual language. Emphasis is placed on learning the basic elements and principles of art. This is a challenging class for all levels of students’ artistic skills, regardless of previous experience. This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement for the University of California and California State Universities as a college preparatory elective.

Art II

Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Art II is for the more advanced art student. In addition to continuing the studies begun in Art I, this course encourages the student to become more serious and self-motivated as an artist. Students are required to design and fulfill a year-long project aimed at the construction of a personal portfolio. This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the University of California and California State Universities as a college preparatory elective.
Prerequisite: A grade of B or better in Art I and approval of Art II instructor.

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Art History

Grades: 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

AP Art History is for our most serious student. The AP Art History course covers ten major content areas within the scope of global art history. This is an examination of world aesthetics up through the present age. In addition to learning specifically about major art movements and styles, students will interpret the philosophical, religious, economic, historical, and cultural influences present in art. Similar to other AP courses, this is a demanding, year-long study that is taught at a college level to prepare the student for the May AP Art History exam. Passing the AP Art History exam results in receiving college credit.
Prerequisites: Students should have: 1) a B or better in English III; 2) a B or better in United States History; and 3) recommendations from their teachers. Teacher recommendations will be obtained by the Department Chair.

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Drawing

Grades: 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

The AP Drawing course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. This course is a demanding, year-long class that prepares the student to submit portfolio work to the AP College Board in May. The course is designed to focus on the use of mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition. The range of marks used to make drawings, the arrangement of those marks, and the materials used to make the marks are endless and will be deeply explored. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media are among the possibilities for submission. Still images from videos or film are accepted as well as composite images. This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the University of California and California State Universities as a college preparatory elective.
Prerequisites: Instructor recommendation and approval of Department Chair.

Dance I

Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Dance I is an introduction to movement as an expressive art form. It will present the basic elements related to traditional forms of dance including social dance, ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop, and explore their origins and development. Students will be required to demonstrate a basic mastery of forms and techniques presented throughout the year.

Dance II

Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Dance II is based on refining dance technique for each style of dance covered in Dance I (social dance, ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop). Dance II will focus more specifically on exact movement technique for each dance style, pushing students to advance their dance abilities and add intention behind their movement. Students will be expected to further their performance level, choreography development, memorization skills, body/spatial awareness, and timing/musicality. Endurance and strength training will be included so the class can develop at a professional dance level.
Prerequisite: Completion of Dance I or equivalent

Drama I

Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Drama I examines theatre in all its aspects: history, literature, performance, criticism and technical. The first semester includes acting, introduction to the Alexander Technique and criticism. The second semester emphasized performance. Each student fulfills the various roles of director, producer, technical, design and so on. A play is produced and presented to a paying audience.

Drama II

Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Drama II builds upon knowledge and skills acquired in Drama I. Students will continue to study all aspects of theatre but will examine each area more in depth. Students will delve more deeply into the history of theatre past and present and will compare and contrast different theatrical styles. They will analyze and critique all components of production. Speaking, writing, and technical skills will be advanced.
Prerequisite: B or better in Drama I

Drawing & Painting

Grades: 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

The first semester of this course continues the development of the student’s skills in the procedures, techniques, vocabulary, and skills in drawing and design. Emphasis is placed on developing the student’s observation skills to enhance creative abilities. The art elements of line, space, shape, form, texture, value, and color will be used with the media of pencil, pen, ink, markers, charcoal, and pastel. Composition principles used in still life, figure, and landscape drawing will be applied and advanced. The second semester of this course will emphasize the basic elements of color as it relates to painting. Various painting techniques will be introduced to the student. The student will have the opportunity to create works in different mediums. Students will also gain the ability to analyze and respond to diverse works, including their own. Furthermore, students will be introduced to numerous cultural and historical styles and motifs. Through critiques, students will display the ability to aesthetically value and appreciate works of art as well as understand the relationship between art, culture, and history. This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the University of California and California State Universities as a college preparatory elective.
Prerequisites: Art 1 or approval of Drawing & Painting instructor.

Graphic Journalism

Grades: 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Graphic Journalism will cover the basic principles of journalism and the publishing industry. Students will be introduced to the elements of graphic design and its relevance to modern print media. Students will plan the scope, content and tone of the school yearbook. Students will be responsible for editing pages and sections for content, style, and design layout. They will be expected to meet deadlines for all sections and page submissions. Specialized skills needed include attention to detail, photography and graphic design abilities for the layout of the page, cover, and each section of the yearbook.

Instrumental Music I

Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Students will discover the world of music through hands-on work with a concert band instrument. Musical terminology, rhythmic figures, and basic music reading skills will be learned to further enhance this experience. Students are required to participate in all performances and festivals. Students will learn about music in a historical context and study the impact different musical styles have on our culture.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to read music, have played for at least one year and have the desire to explore improvisation. All instruments are welcome. (An audition will take place for placement purposes.)

Instrumental Music II

Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Students will enhance their skills with a concert band instrument and knowledge of advanced music terminology. They will build skills in reading and notating music and understanding of rhythmic concepts. They will also learn to compose and arrange music.
Prerequisite: B or better in Instrumental Music I. (An audition will take place for placement purposes).

Introduction to Photography

Grades: 11 & 12
Credit: 10 units
UC/CSU Approved

Introduction to Photography is a foundation course designed to offer experiences with point-and-shoot cameras. Various camera settings will be covered to offer creative and technical control. Students will learn framing within the viewfinder and explore various compositional principles. This course will build the foundation for visual literacy in both form and content of photographic images. From selfies to advertising images to fine art, students will have many opportunities to learn the elements and principles of design as they relate to photographic images. Students will examine images critically through weekly critiques. Digital processing techniques will be introduced using Adobe Photoshop.
Prerequisite: Art I