Elementary Visual Arts
In the Elementary Art program, the prominent objective is to guide students in grasping the reality that God is the first and ultimate Artist and Maker of heaven and earth. The students will be encouraged and challenged to stretch their imagination, explore art history, view well-known artists, apply a variety of art mediums and techniques, understand there is a process to a project, express and articulate their perceived idea, and plan how they will arrive at the end of the product design.
While enjoying the creative process, students’ hearts and minds will be guided to honor the Lord with their varying abilities through the medium of art. The art curriculum for each grade is designed to be manageable for their learning level and skill.
In the Elementary program, students will have the opportunity to analyze and implement drawing, painting, small sculpture, and fiber arts. Students compile a portfolio containing their progressive artwork from the entire year. Some of their work will be sent home through the school year, but a majority will be retained for display and special events at the school.
Middle School Visual Arts
We recognize that God has expressed creativity as a core attribute in His creation. Art is a powerful and influential expression of God’s indescribable creativity and the world’s wonderful complexity. Middle school can be a period of insecurity for some students; much effort is taken to make art an enjoyable and successful endeavor. Emphasis is placed on working hard and enjoying the process as well as on the reward of a completed project. Art history and art appreciation are woven into the curriculum. We want to impress on students that each person is created in the image of God as a creative and inventive decision-maker. We are committed to the study of art as a part of an excellent academic education each year in middle school.
Projects and media include: marker and pencil self-portraits, collage, kaleidoscope designs, linoleum printing, pen and ink techniques, drawing and painting techniques, mask-making, metal repousse, watercolor, color theory, clay and sculpture, art history, and art appreciation.
High School Visual Arts
God is the Great Artist—He designed this world and all that is in it with harmony, balance, and variety. We are made in His image; therefore, each of us has in some way the ability to create and express ourselves artistically.
Although art is an elective in high school, it enhances the quality of learning. It cultivates self-expression, imagination, and creativity, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students who learn about art develop their capacities to weigh meanings and make evaluations. Understanding and creating artwork can help teach students how to collaborate cooperatively in a group and how to strive hard to achieve a goal. If art school is your goal, visual and digital art classes at FCS will provide you with an excellent portfolio for entrance into a college art program.
9th – 10th Grades
Art classes highlight design, abstraction, realism, drawing, painting, and three-dimensional work. A more advanced degree of technical proficiency in the productive and appreciative aspects of art will be offered. Each student will be encouraged to: analyze and discuss his creative effort upon completion of an assignment, manipulate media effectively to create strong drawings, work on two- and three-dimensional assignments, and experience the use of various art mediums.
11th – 12th Grades
Art classes offer an in-depth experience in drawing, painting, and three-dimensional design in a studio setting. Each project has assigned objectives, yet allows students more choice of freedom in the area of media and technique development. Independent study and self-motivation are encouraged, as is new exploration.
