SYLLABUS
Small-Scale
Metalsmithing
Design
& Manufacture
GOAL of this COURSE: to
combine art and technology in the medium of metalsmithing to further develop
and enhance your own personal aesthetic and artistic style while addressing
meaningful connections with math, science, reading and writing. (Our primary text is Tim McCreight’s Jewelry: Fundamentals of
Metalsmithing.)
Be
prepared for an intense semester of work, and the pleasure of understanding the
language of visual art as it relates to the design and manufacture of jewelry
and small-scale metals. We’ll work with
the elements and principles of design and their application to wearable and
sculptural metal arts. We’ll study the
history of the metal arts; we’ll deal with art criticism, developing your
ability to analyze the various components of a work of art. We’ll delve into aesthetics, the artistic
branch of philosophy, contemplating the world of art and its philosophical
puzzles. We’ll also have opportunities
to contribute to art in our educational and our larger
At the
end of each unit of study we’ll present renderings and our jewelry/metalsmithing
creations for class critique. A copy of Criteria
for Evaluating Works of Art is included with this handout for your use as a
guideline during class critiques.
UNIT ONE
CUTTING
and BENDING
Measurement
Filing Drilling
Layout Wire work Annealing
Sawing Forming Enameling
Assignments: 3 Article Summaries: Historical,
Contemporary and Technical Design (based on your cultural heritage) and Prepare
Pierced Brooch
UNIT TWO
PATTERN,
TEXTURE and CONTOUR
Hammering Mixed Metals Chasing
Roll Printing Heat
Textures Repousse’
Stamping Reticulation
Assignments: Project 1: Pierced
& Textured Brooch with Pin Back Historical
Article Due
UNIT THREE
FUSING
and SOLDERING
Fusing Soldering
Assignments: Project 2: Simple
& Double Rings Contemporary Article Due
UNIT FOUR
STONE
SETTING
Gemstones Basic Bezels Prong Settings
Assignments: Project 3: Stone
Set Ring; Technical
Article Due
UNIT FIVE
COLD
JOINING
Staples & Tabs Threaded Connections Rivets Adhesives
Assignments: Project 4: Fold Formed & Mixed Media Pendant
UNIT SIX
FINISHING
AND PATINAS
Abrasive Media Burnishing Media Machine
Finishing
Patinas
Assignments: Project 5: Matching Set
UNIT SEVEN
CASTING
Direct
Casting Lost
Wax Casting
Assignments: Project 6: Creative Final Exam: Narrative Jewelry
§
Design & Create Wearable Narrative, Utilizing
Your Cultural Heritage
§
Based on Three Articles You Reviewed
§
Utilize at Least One Element from Each of the Seven
Units of Study
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEN-DAY ABSENCE RULE:
If a student misses more than 10 class sessions
during a semester, s/he may be subject to loss of credit in that class. This may be determined by the teacher of the
class impacted by attendance. The
student may appeal the absences to the Attendance Review Committee. The Attendance Review Committee will review
student attendance history, class grades, behavior, performance, and hear
student/parent comments in a formal meeting at the school or via an appeal
letter. A schedule change w/ loss of
credit may be recommended or other interventions, such as the student making up
class absences in excess of 10 absences.
The student/parent/guardian may appeal the committee
findings/recommendations to the principal within 3 days upon receipt of the
Attendance Review Committee letter. S/he
should write a letter requesting an appeal to the
YOUR GRADE IN THIS CLASS:
Your daily attendance and participation in this
class are important to me. If you are
away from a class for a legitimate reason, please have your parent/guardian or
yourself (if you live on your own) clear the absence within 24 hours. You have the same amount of time to turn in a
missed assignment as the length of your excused absence (i.e., one day’s
excused absence means one day to get work turned in. The day of your absence counts as that
day.) Walking into class 5 minutes after
time for the second bell translates as an absence rather than as a tardy. Be sure you and your family know the
information on absences, late arrival to class and use of passport in your
student handbook. I want you to be
successful in this class.
CLASS FEE:
Although equipment, supplies, tools and most
materials are covered in this class, there is a $25. class fee for the purchase
of metals and stones you’ll use this semester.
This should be paid to Nancy Norton, CTE secretary, in the CTE office
near Mr. Tobin’s corner office during the month of September. Beginning October 1st there will
be an additional interest fee of 10%. At
the beginning of each month there will be an additional interest fee of an extra
10% automatically added to your class fee.
This money is used to order additional metals and stones as they are
needed and must be paid on time to be utilized throughout this semester. The first metals and stones you’ll use this
semester are paid for by the class fees of students who took this course last
semester. If you are on the free lunch
program speak with me privately, get a verification from Kathy in the lunchroom
and your fee will be reduced to half the amount normally paid by students in
this course.
SYLLABUS
Design
Fundamentals
GOAL of this COURSE: to
consider themes and art materials in two-dimensional and three-dimensional
space within the context of the elements and principles of design, and to make
meaningful connections with art history, math, science, reading and writing.
Be prepared for an intense semester of work, and
the pleasure of understanding the language of visual art, its nuances and
complexities. The role of visual imagery
is so vital to the learning and memory processes that visual literacy is a
focus of this course. We’ll work with
the elements and principles of design and their application to the fine arts
and our everyday world. We’ll look at
the history of art, how the social, political, religious and cultural
environment have affected the arts, and the ways artists have in turn affected
the world around us. We’ll deal w/ art
criticism, developing your ability to analyze the various components of a work
of art. We’ll delve into aesthetics, the
artistic branch of philosophy, contemplating the world of art and its
philosophical puzzles. We’ll also have
opportunities to contribute to art in our educational and our larger
At the end of each unit of study we’ll present work
from our portfolios and any 3-D creations for class critique. A copy of Criteria for Evaluating Works of
Art is included with this handout for your use as a guideline during class
critiques.
UNIT ONE
THEME: Life is a Circus
ELEMENT: LINE PRINCIPLE:
RHYTHM
Variations on the Line Contour Drawing: Jim Dine
Direction of Line Creates Mood
& Meaning Gesture Drawing: Alberto Giacometti
Line in 3-D Space: Deborah
Butterfield,
Alexander Calder
2-D Assignment:
3-D Assignment:
Kinesthetic Effect Evoking Sight, Sound & Touch Wire Sculpture
UNIT TWO
THEME: Organizing Your
World
ELEMENTS: SHAPE, MASS & VOLUME PRINCIPLE:
VARIETY
Rectilinear & Curvilinear
Shapes Shape Motif & Pattern
Abstract & Nonobjective Shape Repetition with Variation
Positive &
Negative Shape Gustav Klimt, M.C. Escher
2-D Assignment: 3-D Assignment:
Creating Pattern Using Geometry 3-D Tessellations Using Platonic
Solids
UNIT THREE
THEME:
The Geometry of Nature
ELEMENT: SPACE
PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION
The Illusion of Space on the 2-D
Plane Interior Design: Feng Shui
Actual Space in the 3-D World Cistercian Medieval Chapels
The Science of One &
Two-Point Perspective Industrial Design &, Feng Shui
Art & Math in Perspective:
Proportion & Ratio
2-D Assignments: 3-D
Assignment:
Ratio and Proportion in Space: Architectural Design
Sighting Commemorative Corners
UNIT FOUR
THEME:
Physics Gets Moving
ELEMENT: ACTUAL & KINETIC MOTION PRINCIPLES: EMPHASIS & BALANCE
Implied Motion in Realistic,
Abstract & Op Art Marcel Duchamp
Symmetry & Asymmetry Actual Motion: Alexander Calder
Methods of Creating a
2-D Assignment: 3-D Assignment:
Focal Point w/ Implied Motion in
Space
UNIT FIVE
THEME: Chemistry in Action
ELEMENT: VALUE, COLOR & TEXTURE PRINCIPLE: UNITY
Value, Hue & Intensity Actual & Implied Texture
The Science of Color in Light Harmonious Composition
The Geometric Triad in Color
Theory Ceramic Clay & Glazes
2-D Assignments: 3-D Assignment:
Graphite Reverse Drawing Ceramic sculpture w/ Surface
Decoration
Alternative Color Wheel
Value, Color & Texture in
Unified Composition
UNIT SIX
THEME: Dress for Success
ELEMENTS of
DESIGN PRINCIPLES of DESIGN
Assignment:
Using objects from your world
that say something about your character and personality, along with any found
objects that add meaning, create a headdress that you will wear on the day of
the final exam. Come Dressed for Success
with your wearable self-portrait (creative headdress) and a written title and description
of your wearable work of art. This
headdress will incorporate the elements and principles of design you have
learned and used this semester. Trade writings with another student so that
s/he can read your title and description as you make your walk down the runway. Wear an outfit that fits your headdress in
theme and color
scheme for added appeal._________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEN-DAY ABSENCE RULE:
If a student misses more than 10 class sessions
during a semester, s/he may be subject to loss of credit in that class. This may be determined by the teacher of the
class impacted by attendance. The
student may appeal the absences to the Attendance Review Committee. The Attendance Review Committee will review
student attendance history, class grades, behavior, performance, and hear
student/parent comments in a formal meeting at the school or via an appeal
letter. A schedule change w/ loss of
credit may be recommended or other interventions, such as the student making up
class absences in excess of 10 absences.
The student/parent/guardian may appeal the committee
findings/recommendations to the principal within 3 days upon receipt of the
Attendance Review Committee letter. S/he
should write a letter requesting an appeal to the
YOUR GRADE IN THIS CLASS:
Your daily attendance and participation in this
class are important to me. If you are
away from a class for a legitimate reason, please have your parent/guardian or
yourself (if you live on your own) clear the absence within 24 hours. You have the same amount of time to turn in a
missed assignment as the length of your excused absence (i.e., one day’s
excused absence means one day to get work turned in. The day of your absence counts as that
day.) Walking into class 5 minutes after
time for the second bell translates as an absence rather than as a tardy. Be sure you and your family know the
information on absences, late arrival to class and use of passport in your
student handbook. I want you to be
successful in this class.
SYLLABUS
Shaping
Space I: The Dynamics of Three-Dimensional Design
GOAL of this COURSE: to
consider themes and art materials in three-dimensional space within the context
of the elements and principles of design, and to make meaningful connections
with art history, math, science, reading and writing.
Be prepared for an intense semester of work, and
the pleasure of understanding the language of visual art, its nuances and
complexities. The role of visual imagery
is so vital to the learning and memory processes that visual literacy is a
focus of this course. We’ll work with
the elements and principles of design and their application to the fine arts
and our everyday three-dimensional world.
We’ll look at the history of art, how the social, political, religious
and cultural environment have affected the arts, and the ways artists have in
turn affected the world around us. We’ll
deal w/ art criticism, developing your ability to analyze the various
components of a work of art. We’ll delve
into aesthetics, the artistic branch of philosophy, contemplating the world of
art and its philosophical puzzles. We’ll
also have opportunities to contribute to art in our educational and our larger
At the end of each unit of study we’ll present our
preliminary sketches and our 3-D creations for class critique. A copy of Criteria for Evaluating Works of
Art is included with this handout for your use as a guideline during class
critiques.
UNIT ONE
EXPERIENCING
THREE-DIMENSIONALITY
DEGREES of DIMENSIONALITY INVOLVING
THE VIEWER
Frontal
Works Tactile/Visual Appeal
The
Full Round Abstraction and Stylization
Walk-Through
Works Personal Interaction
Statements and Titles
UNIT TWO
WORKING
in the ROUND
Gravity Planning Three-Dimensional Work Setting Form versus Function
Scale and Size Cost and Audience
UNIT THREE
ORGANIZING
the THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINCIPLES of DESIGN
Repetition Balance Variety Emphasis
Rhythm
Proportion
UNIT FOUR
ORGANIZING
the THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS of DESIGN
Form Color
Space Light
Line Time & Movement
UNIT FIVE
CONSTRUCTION
METHODS
FOUND OBJECTS SUBTRACTION
Assemblage Textures & Values
Junk
Sculpture Revealing the Form
ADDITION and MANIPULATION CASTING
Clay Plaster & Cement Solid Casting
Wax Malleable & Rigid Metals Hollow
Casting
Glass Wood & Stone Foundries & Editions
TEN-DAY ABSENCE
RULE:
If a student misses more than 10 class sessions
during a semester, s/he may be subject to loss of credit in that class. This may be determined by the teacher of the
class impacted by attendance. The
student may appeal the absences to the Attendance Review Committee. The Attendance Review Committee will review
student attendance history, class grades, behavior, performance, and hear
student/parent comments in a formal meeting at the school or via an appeal
letter. A schedule change w/ loss of
credit may be recommended or other interventions, such as the student making up
class absences in excess of 10 absences.
The student/parent/guardian may appeal the committee
findings/recommendations to the principal within 3 days upon receipt of the
Attendance Review Committee letter. S/he
should write a letter requesting an appeal to the
YOUR GRADE IN THIS CLASS:
Your daily attendance and participation in this
class are important to me. If you are
away from a class for a legitimate reason, please have your parent/guardian or
yourself (if you live on your own) clear the absence within 24 hours. You have the same amount of time to turn in a
missed assignment as the length of your excused absence (i.e., one day’s
excused absence means one day to get work turned in. The day of your absence counts as that day.) Walking into class 5 minutes after time for
the second bell translates as an absence rather than as a tardy. Be sure you and your family know the
information on absences, late arrival to class and use of passport in your
student handbook. I want you to be
successful in this class.
CLASS FEE:
There will be a class fee for this course. Because we are learning this for the first
time together, we’ll figure out the appropriate fee as we go along. I’ll let you know when materials you use are
specialized enough to order separately from the supplies and materials commonly
used for art classes.
SYLLABUS
Shaping Space II: Studio Projects
UNIT ONE UNIT EIGHT
Working
with the Setting Natural & Applied Color
Defying
Gravity Psychological
Effects of Color Large Scale Removal
of Color
UNIT TWO UNIT NINE
Visual Rhythm & Balance Growth
& Decay Emphasis Kinetic
Sculpture Interactive
Sculpture
UNIT THREE UNIT TEN
From Flat to Volume Ready-Made
Curvilinear
Form Assemblage
Metamorphosis
UNIT FOUR UNIT ELEVEN
Negative
Forms in Space Addition
with Malleable Materials Illusionary
Space Fabrication
with Rigid Materials
UNIT FIVE UNIT TWELVE
Wire Sculpture Wood
Carving
Line
and Form Plaster
& Stone Carving
UNIT SIX UNIT
THIRTEEN
Texture Switch Paper
Casting
Soft
Sculpture Plaster
Casting in Clay
Contradicting
a Form Figurative
Casting
UNIT SEVEN
Shadows
Light
as a Medium