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Welcome to the Orchard Park Arts page

You can purchase the current school year’s Yearbook for $40 via school cash online during each school year. In July we order the number of books purchased that year. If you do no purchase a Yearbook, there will NOT be a copy for you.

Follow us on Instagram @opssarts

Introduction

Students should take Visual Arts in order to develop their creativity and explore the possibilities of their imagination. All of our Visual Arts (AVI1O, AVI2O, AVI3O, AVI3M, AVI4M) courses allow students to learn to create work in all four major fine arts disciplines: drawing, painting, sculpture, and the art of printmaking. They will learn to celebrate their work and the works of others, while challenging themselves to find new ways to express their artistic ability. Students will participate in the creative process by brainstorming, sketching, sculpting clay, taking photographs, painting on canvas, and reflecting, allowing them to take ownership of their own learning and understand their own thinking processes.

In addition to our darkroom for traditional photography [AWQ3M] (one of few in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board), we are excited about our new, high-end SHSM Lab where our Media Arts program and Photography and Yearbook classes run. These programs and this lab allows students to focus on creating digital media works for the 21^st century. Students will be exposed to a variety of current, industry-standard software platforms. At the grade 12 level, students have the opportunity to create their school yearbook [AWE4M].

We also offer a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Arts & Culture. This means senior students take a bundle of credits that focus around this sector, and take two cooperative education credits within their chosen sector. This allows students to earn valuable experience and learning in the future career pathway and sector at the high school level. Students will also gain skills and knowledge, such as WHMIS training, as well as CPR and First Aid Training for free. They will also participate in multiple excursions and workshops introducing them to and networking with industry professionals.

Art helps shape young men and women into well-rounded, creative adults. Your child will develop essential skills while participating in the Arts program that are transferable to a wide range of careers.  Our Visual Arts Department is populated by practicing artists who know firsthand the value of art in the world of work. Natural ability is not a requirement to succeed in the Arts.  The only requirement is the need to believe in oneself and possess the desire to create and try new things.

A-Team Staff (the A stands for Arts)

If you wish to contact any member of the Art Department, the easiest and most convenient way is email. You may call the school at 905-662-3838 and request the teacher’s voicemail.

Course Information

Grade: 9
Course Code: AVI1O
Course Name: Visual Arts, Open
Description: 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 through peer and self reflection and metacognition.

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Grade: 9
Course Code: ADA1O
Course Name: Drama

Description: This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms and techniques, using material from a wide range of sources and cultures. Students will use the elements of drama to examine situations and issues that are relevant to their lives. Students will create, perform, discuss, and analyse drama, and then reflect on the experiences to develop an understanding of themselves, the art form, and the world around them.

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Grade: 10
Course Code: AVI2O
Course Name: Visual Arts, Open
Description: This course emphasizes learning through practice; building on what students know 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 process, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connections between works of art and their historical context.

Prerequisite: None

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Grade: 10
Course Code: ASM2O
Course Name: Media Arts, Open
Description: This is an introductory course to Media Arts, which will explore various forms of digital art and develop fundamental designs, conventions, and processes. Students will be exposed to current, industry-standard software platforms and learn how to successfully use Adobe Creative Suite software through the creation of digital art that will include images, motion, and sound.

Prerequisite: None

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Grade: 11
Course Code: AVI3O
Course Name: Visual Arts, Open
Description: This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, collage and/or multimedia art. Students will use the creative process to create artworks that reflect a wide range of subjects and will evaluate works using the critical analysis process.  Students will also explore works of art within a personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural context.

Prerequisite: None

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Grade: 11
Course Code: ASM3O
Course Name: Media Arts, Open
Description: This course enables students to create media art works using available and emerging technologies such as computer animation, digital imaging, and video, and a variety of media. Students will explore the elements and principles of media arts, the connections between contemporary media art works and traditional art forms, and the importance of using responsible practices when engaged in the creative process. Students will develop the skills necessary to create and interpret media art works.

Prerequisite: None

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Grade: 11
Course Code: AVI3M
Course Name: Visual Arts, University/College
Description: 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.

Prerequisite: AVI1O or AVI2O

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Grade: 11
Course Code: AWQ3M
Course Name: Photography, University/College
Description: This course exposes students to both traditional and digital photography methods. Students will learn the traditional black and white paper development process using the school’s darkroom, while also learning how to properly use and manipulate the manual settings on DSLR cameras. Students will use the Critical Analysis Process via class critiques and will work through the Creative Process to capture a variety of photography projects in order to improve the quality of their photos. Students will also learn how to successfully edit and manipulate their images using Adobe Photoshop.

Prerequisite: AVI1O, AVI2O, or AVI3O

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Grade: 11
Course Code: ASM3M
Course Name: Media Arts, University/College
Description: This course provides students with opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge in media arts. Students will explore a range of subject matter through industry-standard Adobe software platforms, and will consolidate their practical skills. Students will also analyse art works and study aspects of digital art.

Prerequisite: ASM2O

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Grade: 12
Course Code: AVI4M
Course Name: Visual Arts, University/College
Description: 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 modern and contemporary 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.

Prerequisite: AVI3M

This Sr level Visual Arts course is independently structured. Students are required to create and develop their own theme throughout the course and create three masterpieces which adhere to their theme within a prescribed timeline of critiques. The Culminating Task of this course is OP’s Annual Summative Art Exhibit in which all graduating students professionally display their thematic body of work in a full-scale art opening reception.

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Grade: 12
Course Code: AWE4M
Course Name: Visual Arts, Yearbook – Information Design, University/College
Description: This course creates the Yearbook for the current school year. Students work as a team to determine the theme and special features, as well as take the photographs of all school events, clubs, sports, and students in order to represent the entire school. Students will use the Creative Process to create a variety of graphic design products, along with Yearbook pages. Students will also use the Critical Analysis Process to critique and reflect upon the products and pages that they create in class.

Prerequisite: AWQ3M

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Grade: 12
Course Code: ASM4M
Course Name: Media Arts, University/College
Description: This Sr level Media Arts course is independently structured. Using industry-standard software, students are required to create and develop their own theme throughout the course and create a body of digital and printed work which adheres to their theme within a prescribed timeline of critiques. The Culminating Task of this course is OP’s Annual Summative Art Exhibit in which all graduating students professionally display their thematic body of work in a full-scale art opening reception.

Prerequisite: ASM3M