Visual Arts

The Visual Arts classes are designed to develop and broaden critical and creative thinking skills, understanding of and appreciation for the visual arts and culture. And increase students’ proficiency in visual art techniques and processes. Driven by a focus on individual strengths, we offer a variety of opportunities to home one’s skills and knowledge.

Studio Art 1: Foundation

Students are offered the opportunity to explore various visual art forms and techniques in the elements and principles of art and design. Students will be introduced to and reinforce the basic two-dimensional and three-dimensional technique through a variety of media approaches to creating and responding to visual arts. Students will be encouraged to work creatively and to become competent in the use of different materials and basic processes.

Studio Art 2: 2-D Design

Students work in an expanded range of two-dimensional media. There will be concentration in areas of more advanced drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting, graphic design, digital media, and printmaking, as well as work in the artist’s own personal sketchbook.

Studio Art 3: 3-D Design

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore methods of artistic expression through studies in three-dimensional art making. Exploring a variety of 3-dimensional media such as plaster, ceramics, mixed-media, sculpture, installation, metal work, wood work, mold-making and assemblage. Within each unit of study, various artists and artistic styles will be covered as well as different sculptural techniques and surface renderings.

Art History & Criticism:

Investigating the many roles of the visual arts and artists through historical, political, and other social contexts. Developing higher level thinking, visual literacy, art-related technology skill, art criticism, art history, and aesthetics.

AP 2-D Art and Design/ Portfolio Development:

This is an intensive yearlong studio art class designed for the serious art students. Students will create a portfolio of work, a sustained investigation which will culminate in the senior exhibition at a gallery off site. Typically, the work developed of AP Studio Art portfolios will also double as college-entry portfolio application requirements. Portfolios will be assessed by the College Board for Advanced Placement credit in lieu of an examination

Students will work with a variety of media, as well as personally selected media while preparing to complete a sequential portfolio of artwork. Students express their ideas and understanding of their artwork in a written commentary that accompanies their body of work. Scheduled critique sessions provide guidance and an opportunity to clarify and express ideas. Art journals or sketchbooks will be used on a regular basis for the development of a personal artistic vision. Students will be challenged to use independent thinking skills in the development of concepts in which they have a compelling interest.

Students enrolled in this course are not required to take the AP exam, but it is recommended and encouraged.

Department Highlights

This year students had their work displayed at the Barclay's Center for the The Basquiat Project Exhibit.
In 2014, our Visual Arts Department was invited to participate in the creation of large-scale eggs for the "Citywide Egg Hunt" sponsored by Faberge and displayed throughout the month of April at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Our students have been selected annually to showcase their works at art galleries and premier museums throughout the five boroughs including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum and the Children's Museum.

Partnerships with:
Studio Institute (formerly known as Studio in a School), Recess Art, Exploring the Arts (ETA), various Scholars programs (Pratt and Parsons), Metropolitan Museum Astor program, Brooklyn Borough Arts Fair, PS Art and Arts Connection.

Past Electives (changes annually):
Wearable Art, Intro to Screen Printing, Mural Design, Scenic Design (in conjunction with Theatre), Public Art, Graphic Design, Ceramics, Art Zines, The Art of Storytelling- Stop Motion/ Comics

Eleanor Chung (Visual Arts)

Email: EChung@mckinneyssa.com

Echung2@schools.nyc.gov

Audition requirements:

Audition Requirements are centralized through the DOE- please submit through your MySchools account.

For audition information, SEE BELOW or click the link below.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/high-school-auditions

Watch this video to help you prepare your visual arts submissions.

Portfolio Upload

Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original artwork that includes the following (for additional support with this portfolio, you may view these visual arts portfolio resources

Piece 1: A self-portrait using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror).

Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you).

Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation (from observation means you draw a live person). If you do not have access to a friend or family member, see the tutorial on figure drawing on this visual arts portfolio resources

- Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet.
- Draw your figure with realistic proportions.
- Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes.
- Include any observed details and draw the facial features.
- Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.

Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

Piece 8: Using pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH! Use your imagination and creativity – we want to see your wildest ideas of what a Fantastical Sandwich looks like to you. Consider for the drawing: What bizarre, unusual, or creative toppings does your sandwich have? Who made it? Who is it for? When creating your Fantastical Sandwich be sure to include a background and fill the whole page. Feel free to use colored pencils if you wish. And, have fun with it!

Student Introduction

Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included).
Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork.
Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences.
Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable).