Fine Arts

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Reynolds Gallery of Contemporary Art

ROCA is a collection of art and events related to the Reynolds Gallery of Contemporary Art where you can find students working alongside professional artists on exhibits in the Arts Building at Reynolds High School.

Art Classes

Exploring Art is a semester class in which students explore a variety of materials, styles, and techniques in two-dimensional art. Students create projects in design, drawing and painting while focusing on the elements and principles of art.

Art 1 is a foundation course that allows the student an opportunity to explore a wide variety of materials, styles and techniques in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. Students will be exposed to design, drawing, painting, cartooning, ceramics and sculpture.

Painting provides practice and encouragement for the development of emerging artistic skills and ideas. Emphasis is placed on individual work and interests. Instruction will cover the expressive elements and how to paint dynamic compositions. Students are encouraged to find their own creative style in paint.

Crafts offers students creative and challenging 3-D projects in papier-mâché, sandblasting tiles-mirrors-glass, metal designs, frit and soldered glass, glass mosaics, tie-dye T-shirts, braided bracelets and necklaces. Students may also work on the pottery wheels.

Mixed Media explores a combination of two and three-dimensional art forms. Students engage in individual problem-solving, and work to develop their own personal style. Students will express themselves with charcoal, paint, ink, clay, glass, and found objects through drawing, painting, collage, pottery, and sculpture. Projects will be created with observation, imagination and memory.

Commercial Art and Design serves as an introduction to the career fields of commercial art and design. Students will explore advertising, graphics (poster, logo, typography), cartooning (graphic novels), illustration, airbrush, fashion, interior, car and package design, and T-shirt printing. Study will include contests, copyrighting, marketing ideas, and portfolios. The course will include Photoshop, Illustrator, mixed media applications (pencil, ink, paint, collage), and guest speakers.

Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork that involves students in active experience. Artwork is created “in the round,” and viewed from many angles. Students explore a variety of sculptural styles, materials and techniques from basic three-dimensional design to advanced projects in carving, assemblage, wire sculpture, modeling in clay, mold-making, and casting.

Alternative Drawing covers both contemporary and traditional drawing. Students will improve their abilities to draw by working in pencil, pen and ink, paint marker, spray paint, watercolor pencil, pastel, and charcoal. We will explore new techniques and styles using alternative methods such as stenciling, Photoshop, graffiti, collage, and graphic novels, while also working with the traditions of life drawing, still lifes, and photorealism.  Time is allotted for independent and group projects.

Independent Art Projects is designed for the advanced student who wishes to pursue individual course work under the direction of the visual arts department. The students will design a contract of study in portfolio explorations, community, or school activities. The student and teacher will define specific projects to meet the interest of the student and to meet minimum requirements of the course.

Gallery Management covers how to curate, manage and market an art gallery using various software and social media platforms.  Students will also work with local artists and buyers while learning art history. This is an independent study offering designed for students who have a desire to work in the creative field of promoting art, but not necessarily making art.

Photography 1 covers the basics of black and white photography and traditional darkroom processes. Students will learn how to improve their photography through the application of composition guidelines and the proper use of light. Additionally, students will learn to make better use of their digital cameras and explore digital editing techniques. Students should have access to a 35mm film camera and be responsible for their black and white film and photographic paper needs.

Photography 2 is for Advanced photography students to build upon the basics of Photography 1 as they learn advanced darkroom printing techniques, perfect their digital photography shooting skills and use digital imaging software to professionally edit their images.  Students use both 35mm SLR film cameras and SLR digital cameras with interchangeable lenses to complete their in-depth assignments. Students also complete a photography-related job shadow and prepare a photo portfolio.

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