Welcome
to the Owings Mills High School Visual Art Department!
Visual Art Faculty
Mrs. Cathleen M. Russell, Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair
[email protected]
Facilitator for AP Art History (online)
Ms. Maria Anagnostou
[email protected]
Courses Taught: Fundamentals of Art, Design in Clay 1 & 2, Design in Clay/Mixed Media Studio, AP Design in Clay/Mixed Media
National Art Honor Society Advisor
Mrs. Mary Beth Dickman
[email protected]
Courses Taught: Fundamentals of Art, Intermediate Art, Studio Art, AP Studio Art
National Art Honor Society Advisor
Ms. Alex Garove
[email protected]
Courses Taught: Digital Art, Photography 1 & 2, Photo Studio, AP Photo Studio
National Art Honor Society Advisor
Visual Art Courses Offered
Fundamentals of Art
(GT credit available w/ permission or recommendation)
Students will develop the foundational skills needed to
communicate ideas visually while developing understandings
about the contributions of various artists/craftsmen to their
cultures. Emphasis is placed on observational drawing and
exploring composition and design in the art of various cultures
using drawing, painting, and 3-D media. Students will be
encouraged to keep a sketchbook and a portfolio. This is the gateway course for all other visual art courses offered at OMHS and is required before taking any other art course.
Intermediate Art
This course provides opportunities for students to refine skills
developed in Fundamentals of Art. Students will study and
critique artistic styles and trends and apply knowledge gained
in their own work. Emphasis is placed on working from
observation using drawing, painting, and 3-D media and
incorporating imaginative ideas to begin developing a personal
style. Students in this course will be required to maintain a
sketchbook and a portfolio. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.
Studio Art Practice
This course provides flexibility in planning an independent
program for the highly motivated, honors, or GT art
student. Emphasis is on preparing a portfolio that reflects the
development of a personal style and/or artistic
focus. Opportunities to help students develop depth, breadth,
and quality in creating artworks will be provided through the
investigations of ideas and art problems, and the exploration
and experiences in a variety of media. Students have the
option of submitting their portfolio for review by the AP College
Board. Career guidance and scholarship opportunities in the
visual arts are provided. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art, as well as Intermediate Art.
AP Studio Art
This course is for students who want to continue the advanced
level study begun in Studio. It provides flexibility for planning
independent study and focuses on experiences that further
develop personal artistic style through refinement in three
areas of emphasis: 1) quality, 2) concentration in one or more
areas of interest, and 3) breadth of experiences in exploring
formal, technical, and expressive qualities of works. Students
have the option of submitting their portfolios for review by the
AP College Board. Career guidance and scholarship
opportunities in the visual arts are provided. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art as well as Intermediate Art.
Digital Art
This course provides opportunities in career exploration in a
variety of graphic arts fields. It develops the student's ability to
use technology for visual communication and focus on art
processes that develop awareness of the attitudes and
disciplines required in the graphic arts field. Emphasis is
placed on the development of skills and understandings in the
following areas: drawing and design for illustration, advertising,
and construction/display and the use of drawing and graphic
arts applications on the computer. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.
Photography 1 & 2
In these courses students will have opportunities to learn the
basic processes and techniques of photography which include
elements of the 35mm and digital camera, composition in
photography, and film processing. This course will include dark room developing techniques and as well as digital photo editing. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.
Photo Studio and AP Photo Studio
In advanced courses, emphasis will be on composition,
advanced techniques in digital and/or darkroom film
processing, and presentation of artwork. Students will explore
the purposes of photography and develop a portfolio of
artwork. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art as well as Photography 1 & 2.
Design in Clay 1 & 2
Students will explore a variety of hand-building clay techniques
using design criteria. Students will have opportunities to
explore functional and non-functional clay works through an
analysis of past and contemporary collections and apply their
knowledge in design. In Clay 2, students will solve a variety of design problems in clay to
reflect personal expression. Students will study functional and
non-functional artwork and apply their knowledge to the
creation of personal work reflecting a variety of purposes. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.
Design in Clay/Mixed Media and AP Design in Clay/Mixed Media
In advanced courses, emphasis is on an in-depth exploration
of media and techniques as students are empowered to make
more purposeful artistic decisions. Students will develop a
portfolio of artworks that reflect their personal aesthetic. Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art, as well as Design in Clay 1 & 2.
AP Art History
Students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic
expression from the past and present and from a variety of
global cultures. In this course students engage in both visual
and historical study about art and its contexts in order to
prepare for the AP Art History Exam. This is an entirely online course.
Art Honor Society
The National Art Honor Society was established in 1978 in the United States by the National Art Education Association for high school students grades 9-12. Its purpose is to assist student members to attain their highest potential in all forms of art, and to raise awareness of art education throughout the school and community. At OMHS, our National Art Honor Society students participate in a variety of creative and advocacy events, as well as host the annual OMHS Art Show.