The Art department at Medfield HS shares the philosophy that art making is accessible to all students and promotes creative problem solving through the artistic process and personal expression. Medfield HS offers a wide breadth of in-depth learning experiences for students interested in the visual arts. By the end of their high school career, a student can become quite skilled in a particular area, which can lead to a lifetime of appreciation and exploration in the visual arts.
The following electives are offered to ALL students at MHS:
Drawing and Painting
Introduction to Art
Graphic Design I
Graphic Design II
Illustration
Photography I
Photography II
Clay Sculpture I
Clay Sculpture II
Video Production I
Video Production II
Independent Study in Art
In addition, Art I is a full year class offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. AP Art History and Art 2 are full year courses offered to juniors and seniors, and AP Art Studio is a full year course offered to seniors. These full year courses offer an in-depth exploration in to various media for students who are serious about improving their 2D skills and building a professional-quality portfolio of their work.
Introduction to Art and Drawing and Painting: These two foundation courses offer a broad scope of art-making experiences for students of all skill levels. Students explore a wide variety of media and technique to develop the basic skills of visual language and observation.
Clay Sculpture I and II: These courses offer our student artists opportunities to problem solve in an active and collaborative environment. Students will develop a focused study of sculptural and functional form. Students will develop a personal voice in their work and gain a deeper understanding of techniques such as wheelwork and glazing. Digital methods will be introduced in a unit of study of 3D modelling and printing.
Photography I and II:
Photography skills are relevant across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Students will learn to see the world as an artist and designer. Photography students will master the technical challenges of digital image making, editing, and curating a collection of their own work.
Illustration: Illustration is visual imagery that is used to inform, tell stories, and entertain. Students will learn techniques and processes to communicate their ideas effectively. They will be challenged to create works based on short stories, editorials, children’s books, and other sources. This class will alternate between the art studio and the digital lab to emphasize the synthesis and mobility between traditional and new media.
Video Production I: This course is an introduction to video project planning, recording and editing. Students will learn to use video as a tool for communication and self-expression.
Video Production II: In this course, a variety of video genres will be explored-- such as narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental film.
Emphasis is placed on collaboration and delegation, with students taking on the roles of directing, editing, and screenwriting. Some projects will include working within the community, allowing students to experience video production in a real-world scenario.
MHS has a brand new digital media lab, with 24 new computers. Students who enroll in Graphic Design, Video, Photo 2 , and Illustration have access to a web license to use Adobe CS which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, FinalCut, and Premiere software. 
If there are any specific questions about the Visual Art program at MHS, please email Kate Jones at kjones@email.medfield.net
