Course Descriptions

Art 10 

The Art 10 program is best described as an introductory studio course that supports students in discovering the basics of 2D and 3D design through the three areas outlined by the program of studies; Drawings, Encounters and Compositions.  It introduces them to Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Managing Information, Creativity & Innovation, Communication, Collaboration, Cultural & Global Citizenship and Personal Growth & Well-being.  These competencies will be investigated through various disciplines such as drawing, painting and sculpture.

Classroom instruction is personalized and focused on individual abilities and interests. Students are evaluated based on their artistic growth and practices, as well as mastery of the Art 10 specific Outcomes.  While referencing a variety of art influences, students are encouraged to develop an ongoing appreciation of the Arts.

High school Visual Art is an academic and sophisticated program that allows the student the opportunity to practice as a professional artist in a studio atmosphere. Artists are required to develop their own original style and body of work as they progress towards credit completion. 

Art 10 is a 5-credit course and provides an excellent opportunity to pursue credits to the 30 level, as well as Advanced supplementary levels and Leadership in the Arts (Fine Arts Certificate).

There is no prerequisite for Art 10.

Art 20 

The Art 20 program is best described as an intermediate studio course that supports students in further exploration of 2D and 3D design through the three areas outlined by the program of studies; Drawings, Encounters and Compositions.  It continues to foster Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Managing Information, Creativity & Innovation, Communication, Collaboration, Cultural & Global Citizenship and Personal Growth & Well-being.  These competencies will be investigated more intensely through various disciplines such as drawing, painting and sculpture.  

Classroom instruction is personalized and focused on individual abilities and interests. Students are evaluated based on their artistic growth and practices, as well as mastery of the Art 20 specific Outcomes.  While referencing a variety of art influences, students are encouraged to develop an ongoing appreciation of the Arts.

Art 20 allows students the opportunity to practice as a professional artist in a studio atmosphere.  Artists are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to develop their own original style and body of work as they progress towards credit completion.  

Art 20 is a 5-credit course and provides an excellent opportunity to pursue credits to the 30 level, as well as Advanced supplementary levels and Leadership in the Arts (Fine Arts Certificate).  
Art 10 is the prerequisite for this course.

Art 30

The Art 30 program is best described as an advanced studio course that supports students in further exploration of 2D and 3D design through the three areas outlined by the program of studies; Drawings, Encounters and Compositions.  It continues to support Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Managing Information, Creativity & Innovation, Communication, Collaboration, Cultural & Global Citizenship and Personal Growth & Well-being. These competencies will be investigated more independently and intensely through various disciplines such as drawing, painting and sculpture. 

Classroom instruction is personalized and focused on individual abilities and interests. Students are evaluated based on their artistic growth and practices, as well as mastery of the Art 30 specific Outcomes. While referencing a variety of art influences, students are encouraged to develop an ongoing appreciation of the Arts.

Art 30 allows students the opportunity to practice as a professional artist in a studio atmosphere. Artists are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to develop their own original style and body of work as they progress towards portfolio and credit completion. 

Art 30 is a 5-credit course and provides the prerequisite to pursue enrichment credits in Advanced Painting, Drawing & Ceramics, as well as Leadership in the Arts (Fine Arts Certificate).

Art 20 is the prerequisite for this course.

Art 11, 21, & 31 

Another series of courses that are designed to complement the Art 10-20-30 courses. In this course the students examine the role art plays in people's lives, how it comes into being and how people respond to it. Investigations in how we see, interpret, and make sense of visual stimuli will take place. The student will engage in research of the use of traditional and contemporary tools, materials, and media.

Advanced Techniques, Drawing 15, 25, & 35 

A series of drawing experiences intended to provide motivated art students with an opportunity to communicate visually through the exploration of source images, drawing materials and methods, critiquing and self-reflection and studio practice. Emphasis is on the student becoming an informed creator of solutions to visual problems while developing an appreciation for the significance of drawing. 

Advanced Techniques, Painting 15, 25, & 35 

Are designed to provide motivated art students with the opportunity to have an extended exploration of a painting area of personal interest. Students will be challenged to develop specific technical abilities in both traditional and non-traditional painting. This challenge will require students to work in a rich variety of means and materials in order to grow as painters and expand their repertoire of visual experiences. 

Advanced Techniques, Sculpture 15, 25, & 35

Will provide serious and highly creative students with the opportunity to communicate visually through the study of form and space, surface, history of sculpture, through the manipulation, assembling, and/or transformation of sculptural materials. Critique and self-reflection, studio management, and safe studio practice are expected components of this series of courses that will emphasize the student becoming an informed creator of solutions to three-dimensional problems.

Art 20-30-31IB

This course is designed for the visual art student with creative and imaginative abilities in the International Baccalaureate Program. 

Emphasis is placed on a practical exploration and artistic production of artworks with an independent critical research and analysis, visual and written, in more than one culture.

Candidates who have completed this course will be expected to demonstrate:

• Growth and commitment through the study of art
• An interrelationship between their research and their artistic production

This course and its projects will be evaluated in the following criteria:

Exhibition (Studio) - Class assessment criteria will be based on 

• Imaginative Expression
• Purposeful Exploration
• Meaning and Function
• Formal Qualities
• Technical and Media Skills
• Investigation Integration

Process Portfolio (Investigation) - Class assessment criteria will be based on 

• Independent Research
• Critical Research
• Contextual Research
• Visual Research

Comparative Study - Students analyse and compare different artworks by different artists.  This independent critical and contextual investigation explores artworks, objects and artifacts from different cultural contexts.

Ms. Sherri Carlisle - Teacher

Ms. Carlisle has been working with the CBE as a High School Visual Arts teacher for 19 years.  She has an appreciation for all mediums but enjoys painting in oils and acrylics in her spare time.  She finds it a joy to work with students as they discover and develop their talents and explore the endless possibilities of art creation.

Ms. Carlisle teaches art from the heart, building self-esteem in her students and challenging them to find their inner artist.  She believes through the process of creating art, individuals experience creative thinking, problem solving and development of an appreciation of the Arts.  

As an instructor Ms. Carlisle creates a learning environment that is relaxed, supportive and fun.  Her focus is on developing technical skills, artistic interpretation and unique quality artwork and to foster creative and critical thinkers.

Ms. Katie Houle - Teacher

Ms. Houle received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction from the Alberta College of Art and Design, with a major in Sculpture. She then went on to complete the Master of Teaching program at U of C.

She has been an art teacher for over 15 years (13 years with the CBE) and has been compiling her own body of art and photography work while raising a family and instructing. She has taught elementary through high school and also helped to develop the curriculum for Studio C, a collaborative art centre in Calgary.

Photography and ceramics is her personal preference when working on her own artwork.

She is passionate about finding new projects and experiences that will give her students a broader creative vocabulary and inspire innovation.

In her free time she likes to paddleboard, do yoga and go on adventures with her family and friends.