Philosophy
An Art Education is essential for every child.
Graduates of the Avonworth Art Department have gone on to schools such as CMU, SCAD, The Chicago Institute of Art and Design, DePaul, and more. Alumni are working in a variety of fields from game design, costume design, marketing and design, product design, scenic design and more. Former students are currently employed by companies such as Buzzfeed and the Chicago Cubs or for themselves.
Avonworth Elementary School Art
Students have one 45-minute art twice during a six day rotation schedule for one semester. Students will explore variety of media and techniques throughout their experience. Student projects often reflect appropriate grade level general curriculum content. The curriculum is guided by both the Pennsylvania State Standards for the Arts and Humanities as well as the National Core Arts Standards to promote artistic literacy.
Avonworth Secondary Art
At the secondary level Avonworth students have the opportunity to pursue a Personal Pathway in the area of Arts, Innovation, & Communications. Our Personal Pathways help students to gain career exposure and participate in job readiness workshops during their 9th grade year, as well as see connections to careers in their core classes. Personal Pathways help personalie learning through elective choices, career experiences, and extraurriculuar activities.
Graphic Arts
Avonworth offers a variety of graphic arts courses to enable students to be more creative in their career. Advanced courses will prepare students for a career in the digital arts. All graphics courses, with the exception of Portfolio, are one semester in length.
The introductory course, Computer Graphics 1, gives students a foundation in PhotoShop, Illustrator, and video editing. Students frequently utilize these skills in other classes and activities throughout high school. CG1 is a prerequisite for all other Computer Graphic classes.
Computer Graphics 2 offers an indepth look at animation, PhotoShop, and digital illustration and prepares students for the other advanced graphics courses.
Advanced PhotoShop is modeled after a career in graphic design. Mrs. Swaney uses her previous experience as a graphic designer to create real world projects for the students, frequently working with organizations in the community.
Portfolio students create a portfolio of work to use for submission to college or applying for scholarships. Portfolio is available to students working in any of the arts including graphic arts, fine arts, sewing/costuming, filmmaking and more. Portfolio is the only course offered that runs the entire school year.
Videography is an exploration into the art of filmmaking. Students study a variety of projects from advertising to narrative film. Students can also take part in the Antelope Film Festival which is held annually at Pittsburgh Filmmakers Melwood Screening Room.
Intro to Art History is modeled after the AP Art History course but condensed into one semester. Students not only study prehistoric to modern art, they also create art.
Film History allows students to view and study films for their the cinematic and technological achievements.
The following courses are offered through our Art Department at Avonworth High School:
- Integrated Arts 10 (Honors) - World Affairs, English 10, The Arts
- Fine Arts & Crafts
- Advanced Fine Arts: 2-Dimensional
- Advanced Fine Arts: 3-Dimensional
- History of Film
- Introduction to Art History
- Computer Graphics I
- Computer Graphics II
- Videography
- Game Design
- Advanced Photoshop
- Portfolio - Specializing in Studio Art and/or Computer Graphics