The Arts

Mission Statement

The arts classes at Seattle Prep create and enable aesthetic perception and experiences through preparation, performance and hands-on creativity. The classes are taught by practicing artists to provide an enriching experience. Through the appreciation and analysis of masterworks, through familiarity with the languages of art, through dialogue and reflection, and through the creation of musical, visual and dramatic pieces, the arts come alive at Prep.

The arts provide tools with which students can perceive music, drama, filmmaking and visual art in terms of beauty. The aesthetic response to art is valuable, as it brings vividness and breadth to experience, and sharpens a student’s grasp of culture. More subtly, the value of aesthetics is that it teaches students how to receive what is presented to them as a gift.

 

Class Offerings

What follows is a list and brief description of arts class offerings.  Each freshman rotates through a set sequence of four art classes throught the year.  After freshman year, each sophomore and junior are required to take one semester of an arts class each year. Seniors may continue their presuit of the arts through varrious electives.

Freshman Art - Freshmen rotate throughout these arts classes: Visual Art (Ms. Dold), Music (Mr. Beyer), Drama (Mr. Othman) and Media Literacy (Mr. Danielson).  In these classes, students are introduced to the basic language, concepts, and history of each art. 

Choir - The Seattle Prep Concert Choir is a choir of mixed voices performing several times throughout the year.  Our major concerts include: Christmas Concert, Spring Concert and an All Catholic School Choir Concert. Choir is open to Sophomore and Juniors as a class, and all other students as a Window elective. (Mr. Beyer)

Music in the Movies - Students view films from the silent era to the present, tracking the musical themes and evaluating the meaning of the music in each film. (Mr. Beyer)

Acting - Students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of theater and the craft of acting. They will use a variety of drama games, activities and scene work to enhance and deepen thier performance skills while promoting artistic collaboration. (Mr. Othman)

Video Production - Students become digital filmmakers learning the art and technique of video production by creating, storyboarding, filming, editing and sharing their own short films and videos. (Mr. Othman)

Drawing - This beginning drawing class focuses on learning how to draw from observation.  Students learn techniques on how to draw and design with line, value, perspective, and texture, using a variety of mediums including pencils, charcoal, ink and collage. (Ms. Dold, Ms. Colburn)

Printmaking (Juniors only) - This beginning printmaking class introduces students to the world of making prints.  Students will learn how to make prints using linoleum blocks, collagraphy, screenprinting, monoprinting, as well as additional transfer techniques. (Ms. Dold)

Pottery (Senior elective only) - This beginning level pottery class introduces students to the world creating art out of clay.  Students will learn techniques of hand building and wheel throwing as well as learn about the history of pottery. (Ms. Colburn)

Digital Photography (Senior elective only) - This beginning digital photography class students will use their camera as a tool to capture the world they see artistically. They will learn a variety of shooting and editing skills and techniques. Students will also learn about the history of photography as an art form. (Mr. Hogan)

AP Studio Art (Senior elective only) - This year long course is offered to students who will be submitting a portfolio of work for AP credit.  Through close guidance from Ms. Dold, students will pick a concentration in Drawing or in 2-D Design and produce a portfolio of work that shows quality, concentration, and breadth as outlined in the AP studio art requirements. (Ms. Dold)