ARTS - VISUAL 
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” - Albert Einstein
The study of Visual Art is a unique opportunity for students to develop the creative thinking skills that are valued in every professional setting today. Visual Arts is a multi-disciplinary way of looking at the world and solving design challenges. The visual nature of this subject area broadens a person’s ability to communicate information and to develop new ideas.
The Visual Art Program at our school has several distinctive features. First, is the emphasis on the role that each student has as a practicing artist. In addition to our annual graduating class exhibition, we maintain a permanent gallery of continuously changing artwork that features the work of current students from each grade as well as one or two works by KCVI alumni. Second, our proximity to Queen’s University allows us to conduct any regularly scheduled art class in the exhibition halls or in the Andre Bieler Studio of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. This type of working relationship between a high school and a major art institution is unique in Canada.
KCVI offers three types of courses. The first type is the Comprehensive Course offered at each grade level from grades 9-12. These courses involve students in a wide range of two and three-dimensional media. Studio projects stress the creative process and seek inspiration from past and current masters of the medium. The second type of course is Special Series Course in photography offered in grades 11 and 12. Photography courses explore both digital and analogue image making. Photographic assignments centre on viewing and interpreting our own experiences as worthy subject matter for art. The third type of course is the Portfolio Course offered in grade 12. This course is designed for students applying to college or university programs that require a visual portfolio for admission. It is of particular interest to students applying to architecture, fashion design, fine art, interior design, graphic art, and photography.
VISUAL ARTS PREREQUISITE FLOW CHART
VISUAL ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AVI1OK Visual Arts, Grade 9, Open
This course offers an overview of visual arts as a foundation for further study. Students will become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials through working with a range of materials, processes, techniques, and styles. They will learn and use methods of analysis and criticism and will study the characteristics of particular historical art periods and a selection of Canadian art and the art of other cultures.
This course is also offered as an extended/immersion French course.
Prerequisite: None
AVI2OK Visual Arts, Grade 10, Open
This course emphasizes learning through practice; building on what students know; and introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design, incorporating the creative and design processes, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connections between works of art and their historical contexts.
Studio projects feature the four disciplines of drawing (figure drawing, depth illusion, colour in drawing), painting (acrylic painting with watercolour techniques), sculpture (carving) and printmaking (two-colour relief printing).
Prerequisite: None
AVI3MK Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
This course provides students with opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will explore a range of subject matter through studio activities, and will consolidate their practical skills. Students will also analyse art works and study aspects of Western art history, as well as Canadian art forms and art forms from various parts of the world.
The studio projects centre on drawing (pen and ink, multi-media techniques), painting, (contemporary painting techniques in acrylic), printmaking (drypoint illustration), and sculpture (assemblage).
Prerequisite: AVI1OK or AVI2OK.
AWQ3MK Visual Arts - Photography, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
This course emphasizes learning through practice; building on what students know; and introducing them to new ideas, materials and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design, incorporating the creative and design processes, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connections between works of art and their historical contexts.
This course focuses on the technical and creative dimensions of both analogue and digital photography.
Prerequisite: AVI1OK or AVI2OK
AVI4MK Visual Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
This course focuses on the refinement of students' skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will analyse art forms; use theories of art in analysing and producing art; and increase their understanding of stylistic changes in Western art, Canadian (including Native Canadian) art, and art forms from various parts of the world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach.
This course addresses drawing (observation, creative drawing with open media), painting (new materials and techniques), sculpture (multi-media) and printmaking (experimentation with monotype and monoprint techniques).
Prerequisite: AVI3MK.
AWQ4MK Visual Arts - Photography, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts. Students will create art works that explore a wide range of subject matter, and will evaluate art works using specific criteria. They will also examine historical and cultural contexts of Western art (including Canadian art) and art from various world cultures to support their study of specific media (e.g. photography).
This course helps students to refine their technical skills in photography and develop meaningful visual statements.
Prerequisite: AWQ3MK
AWJ4MK Visual Arts – Stage Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
This course focuses on the refinement of students' skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will analyse art forms; use theories of art in analysing and producing art; and increase their understanding of stylistic changes in Western art, Canadian (including Native Canadian) art, and art forms from various parts of the world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach.
Students enrolled in this course will design and create all the visual aspects of the school musical, including sets, posters, tickets, programs, and publicity photographs.
Prerequisite: AVI2OK
AWT4MK Visual Arts - Building a Portfolio, University/College Preparation
This course focuses on the refinement of students’ skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will analyse art forms; use theories of art in analysing and producing art; and increase their understanding of stylistic changes in Western art, Canadian art (including Native Canadian art), and art form from various parts of the world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach.
This course assists the graduating student in building a portfolio of work suitable for applying to college and university programs such as fine arts, photography, fashion design, architecture and graphic arts. Students enrolling in this course require the permission of the teacher prior to selection.