Visual Arts Department
A caring, creative, and diverse community immersed in rigorous instruction that inspires globally aware arts advocates who will graduate ready for college and career.
Course Offerings
At Maynard H. Jackson High School we offer a variety of Visual Art courses, and follow the Georgia Visual Arts Pathway. The introductory course is Visual Art Comprehensive, followed by Drawing & Painting 1, Drawing & Painting 2, Sculpture, AP 2D Design, and IB Visual Arts Year 1 & Year 2.
Visual Art Comprehensive introduces art history, art criticism, aesthetic judgment, and studio production. Emphasizes the ability to understand and use elements and principles of design through a variety of media, processes, and visual resources. Explores master artworks for historical and cultural significance.
Introduces drawing and painting techniques and a variety of drawing and painting media. Stresses critical analysis of master paintings and drawings of different styles and historical periods; emphasizes problem-solving techniques to achieve desired results in personal work.
Drawing & Painting 2
Advanced drawing and painting techniques with the use of a variety of drawing and painting media. Students find their voice through drawing and painting and extend the skills gained from Drawing & Painting 1.
Introduces the design and production of relief sculpture and sculpture-in-the-round. Emphasizes the historical origins and functions of sculpture in Western and non-Western cultures. Includes additive, subtractive, and modeling methods. Explores traditional and nontraditional materials for sculpted works and the work of both historical and contemporary sculptural artists.
The AP® Studio Art Portfolio course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art and wish to develop mastery in the concept, composition, and execution of their ideas. The course teaches students how to develop their own work so that it moves beyond duplication. Plagiarism, the copy of published photographs or artwork, is not tolerated in this course. Artistic integrity and original compositions are emphasized and discussed. Artwork should be based on personal expression and individual artistic vision and voice. In this course, the following learning outcomes will be addressed: the ability to (1) conduct a sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by inquiry (questions); (2) skillfully synthesize materials, processes, and ideas; and (3) articulate, in writing, information about one’s work
The International Baccalaureate Art course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the visual arts. Students should understand that IB involves significantly more commitment and accomplishment than the typical high school art class.
Overview of IB Art Submissions:
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Part 1: Comparative Study, 20% externally assessed
HL 10-15 screens + 3-5 screens which analyze the extent to which their work has been influenced by the art and artists examined.
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The pages submitted examine and compare at least three artworks at least two of which need to be by different artists.
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The work selected for comparison should come from contrasting contexts
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Part 2: Process Portfolio, 40% externally assessed
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HL students submit 13–25 screens
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Pages will show evidence of a variety of art making forms, HL 3 different forms from 2 columns of the Art Making Forms table
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Part 3: The Exhibition, 40% Internally Assessed
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HL Students submit a selection of resolved artwork from their exhibition
8-11 artworks -
And a written Curatorial Rationale 700 words max
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For more than 40 years, the National Art Honor Society programs have provided national recognition and opportunities for students who exhibit outstanding scholarship in the visual arts, and for their teachers. In this time of uncertainty and potential isolation, connecting and acknowledging outstanding visual arts students is more imperative than ever. Participation in NAHS provides your students, faculty, school, and community with invaluable benefits—including peer recognition, leadership growth opportunities, college and career preparation, recognition of your art program, and so much more.
