Visual Arts
2025-2026
The Visual Art Department has added a new hallway mural painted by professional muralist and former student, Drew Etienne. The piece is 8' x 20' and is titled "Stretching Through the Gloom in Weird, Unearthly Splendor." Drew borrowed the phrase from one of John Muir's wilderness essays. We are very proud of him and love this new addition to our hallway.
Here is Drew with his mural!
Art Club
We are also finalizing our details for the Art Club trip to Indianapolis on October 4th.
We will be visiting Newfield’s Art Museum, the Indy Zoo, and enjoying a dinner downtown at Bucca di Beppos!
We are excited!
Ceramics I
Students in this course will experience multiple different methods of working with clay. They will focus on design elements and how to prepare and build with the clay. Once their pieces are built, students move on and cover glazing and firing techniques. Along with these hands-on opportunities, students will also study art history and criticism as well as aesthetics and production.
Ceramics II
In this class, students will continue to build upon previously acquired skills by exploring more advanced techniques and terminology. They’ll specifically focus on design principles, relief scultpure, wheel-throwing, and glaze formulation. They will also conduct research in the library and continue to study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production. By the end of the semester, these students will have created a portfolio of quality work.
Ceramics III
This is a high level art class that focuses on developing a personal artistic syle using the information, skills, and techniques acquired in Ceramics I and II. Students will consider theme, abstraction, along with different wheel-throwing and firing techniques to build an impressive portfolio. All the while, they will continue their discussions of art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Ceramics III DC 3 AD 16500 PFW
The above Ceramics III class is also offered as a dual credit course through the Collegiate Connection program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. If they so choose, students have the opportunity to earn three college credits. If this is the student’s plan, they must communicate this with their counselor and be prepared for the Dual Credit fees.
Each semester of Ceramics requires the purchase of a $10.00 ceramic materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
Intro to 2D Art
This course is an introduction to the elements of art: line, shape, space, texture, color, value, balance, unity, contrast, pattern, movement, and emphasis. Students will practice each of these throughout the semester and end with a culminating portfolio of work.
Drawing
The Drawing classes at WCHS range from Drawing I through a Dual Credit Drawing III class. These classes progress sequentially in subject matter and difficulty beginning with the exploration of different techniques and media and the study of art history, criticism, and other topics. Each course will have required supplies that can be purchased at the WCHS Bookstore. The cost of these supplies should not exceed $30.00.
As students progress into Drawing II, they will focus more on in-depth drawings and how to emphasize specific aspects of their work, all while honing the techniques covered in Drawing I. They will also cover art history, criticism, and the aesthetics of various works.
Drawing III allows students to continue building their unique style through more in-depth work. They will be introduced to print making and continue studying art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
Drawing III DC3 AD 10801 PFW
This course closely follows the Drawing III content as stated above, however, is offered through the Collegiate Connection Program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Studens who are qualified have the option to earn three college credits for this course. As this is a Dual Credit course, there are fees involved. Please speak with the Counseling Department to discuss these options.
Painting
Students must have taken drawing before they can begin the painting classes as the information in that class is important to this medium as well. In Painting I, different types of paint and canvas will be explored a long with how to create realistic and abstract work. Students will also study art history from the Baroque period through impressionism.
Painting II
In Painting II, students will continue their work from Painting I where they’ll keep exploring different paints and styles of art. They will choose specific topics to paint throughout the semester, ending up with a portfolio of quality work. Art history and other relevant topics will also be discussed throughout their time in class.
The supplies for Painting I around around $25.00, but students might only need to restock various paints for Painting II.
Photography I
This class meets the Indiana state standards and is a one-semester course in the fundamental principles of taking photos. They learn technique and application as well as how to use specific software in the Adobe Creative Suite to edit and manipulate digital images. Throughout this practical education, students will also discuss art history and criticism as well as aesthetics and production.
Photography II
Also a one-semester class, this study of photography picks up where Photography I left off. Students will continue to build upon skills they have already acquired while focusing on technical and artistic aspects of modern and abstract photography and concept integration. These artists will also create works that are not simply a practice of technique, but that display meaning and depth.
There is a $5.00 fee for each Photography class and students must supply their own SD card. These can be purchased from the WCHS Bookstore for $7.50.
Sculpture
This class allows students to explore sculpting with various materials like plaster, clay, metal, paper, wax, and plastic. Students will learn the techniques of carving, modeling, molding, casting, and construction as they create both realistic and abstract pieces. Throughout the semester, they will also study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production, as they produce this work for their portfolios.
Students must purchase a $10.00 materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
Visual Communications I
VisComm I is a computer based course that explores the role of visual communication in the marketplace. Students will be introduced to illustration, layout, logo design, typography, and other graphic design practices. Most projects will be completed using the Adobe Creative Suite of programs. Along the way, students will also study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Visual Communications II
This class continues to build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in VisComm I. Students will continue working to master the Adobe Creative Suite of programs professionals use in this field. While they build their own portfolios, students will also explore the problems and issues that face today’s graphic designers. They will also continue their study of art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Visual Communications II DC3 ACP 10502 PFW
The above course is also offered as a dual credit class through the Collegiate Connection program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Students have the option to receive three college credits as they move through this course. If this is their plan, they must communicate this to their guidance counselor and be prepared for the dual credit fees.
Each semester of Visual Communications requires the purchase of a $5.00 materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
AP Studio Art
This course is established by the College Board and is specifically for serious students who are interested in building a sound portfolio of 15 pieces. These portfolios will be created based on the student’s individual interests and academic strengths. There is a wide range of focus areas such as architecture, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, animation, fashion, interior design, filmmaking, illustration, industrial design, photography, video game design, cartooning, fine art, etc.
As these students decide their focus and their direction, they will also select their favorite artistic mediums to work with. They’ll expand their horizens to create work that has intellectual and aesthetic depth with a core of artistic integrity. This work must emphasize a mastery of technique and display the skills and principles they’ve acquired throughout their study of art at WCHS and prove that their ideas are developed and refined. Students will need to work daily outside of class as their portfolios will be nationally critiqued and showcased at the Tri-Kappa Spring Art Show.
Students enrolled in this course must take the AP Exam in May. They are required to participate in the program and pay the associated fees. Financial assistance may be available.
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Ceramics I
Students in this course will experience multiple different methods of working with clay. They will focus on design elements and how to prepare and build with the clay. Once their pieces are built, students move on and cover glazing and firing techniques. Along with these hands-on opportunities, students will also study art history and criticism as well as aesthetics and production.
Ceramics II
In this class, students will continue to build upon previously acquired skills by exploring more advanced techniques and terminology. They’ll specifically focus on design principles, relief scultpure, wheel-throwing, and glaze formulation. They will also conduct research in the library and continue to study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production. By the end of the semester, these students will have created a portfolio of quality work.
Ceramics III
This is a high level art class that focuses on developing a personal artistic syle using the information, skills, and techniques acquired in Ceramics I and II. Students will consider theme, abstraction, along with different wheel-throwing and firing techniques to build an impressive portfolio. All the while, they will continue their discussions of art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Ceramics III DC 3 AD 16500 PFW
The above Ceramics III class is also offered as a dual credit course through the Collegiate Connection program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. If they so choose, students have the opportunity to earn three college credits. If this is the student’s plan, they must communicate this with their counselor and be prepared for the Dual Credit fees.Each semester of Ceramics requires the purchase of a $10.00 ceramic materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
-
Intro to 2D Art
This course is an introduction to the elements of art: line, shape, space, texture, color, value, balance, unity, contrast, pattern, movement, and emphasis. Students will practice each of these throughout the semester and end with a culminating portfolio of work.
Drawing
The Drawing classes at WCHS range from Drawing I through a Dual Credit Drawing III class. These classes progress sequentially in subject matter and difficulty beginning with the exploration of different techniques and media and the study of art history, criticism, and other topics. Each course will have required supplies that can be purchased at the WCHS Bookstore. The cost of these supplies should not exceed $30.00.
As students progress into Drawing II, they will focus more on in-depth drawings and how to emphasize specific aspects of their work, all while honing the techniques covered in Drawing I. They will also cover art history, criticism, and the aesthetics of various works.
Drawing III allows students to continue building their unique style through more in-depth work. They will be introduced to print making and continue studying art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
Drawing III DC3 AD 10801 PFW
This course closely follows the Drawing III content as stated above, however, is offered through the Collegiate Connection Program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Studens who are qualified have the option to earn three college credits for this course. As this is a Dual Credit course, there are fees involved. Please speak with the Counseling Department to discuss these options.
-
Painting
Students must have taken drawing before they can begin the painting classes as the information in that class is important to this medium as well. In Painting I, different types of paint and canvas will be explored a long with how to create realistic and abstract work. Students will also study art history from the Baroque period through impressionism.
Painting II
In Painting II, students will continue their work from Painting I where they’ll keep exploring different paints and styles of art. They will choose specific topics to paint throughout the semester, ending up with a portfolio of quality work. Art history and other relevant topics will also be discussed throughout their time in class.
The supplies for Painting I around around $25.00, but students might only need to restock various paints for Painting II.
-
Photography I
This class meets the Indiana state standards and is a one-semester course in the fundamental principles of taking photos. They learn technique and application as well as how to use specific software in the Adobe Creative Suite to edit and manipulate digital images. Throughout this practical education, students will also discuss art history and criticism as well as aesthetics and production.
Photography II
Also a one-semester class, this study of photography picks up where Photography I left off. Students will continue to build upon skills they have already acquired while focusing on technical and artistic aspects of modern and abstract photography and concept integration. These artists will also create works that are not simply a practice of technique, but that display meaning and depth.
There is a $5.00 fee for each Photography class and students must supply their own SD card. These can be purchased from the WCHS Bookstore for $7.50.
-
Sculpture
This class allows students to explore sculpting with various materials like plaster, clay, metal, paper, wax, and plastic. Students will learn the techniques of carving, modeling, molding, casting, and construction as they create both realistic and abstract pieces. Throughout the semester, they will also study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production, as they produce this work for their portfolios.
Students must purchase a $10.00 materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
-
Visual Communications I
VisComm I is a computer based course that explores the role of visual communication in the marketplace. Students will be introduced to illustration, layout, logo design, typography, and other graphic design practices. Most projects will be completed using the Adobe Creative Suite of programs. Along the way, students will also study art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Visual Communications II
This class continues to build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in VisComm I. Students will continue working to master the Adobe Creative Suite of programs professionals use in this field. While they build their own portfolios, students will also explore the problems and issues that face today’s graphic designers. They will also continue their study of art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production.
Visual Communications II DC3 ACP 10502 PFW
The above course is also offered as a dual credit class through the Collegiate Connection program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Students have the option to receive three college credits as they move through this course. If this is their plan, they must communicate this to their guidance counselor and be prepared for the dual credit fees.
Each semester of Visual Communications requires the purchase of a $5.00 materials card from the WCHS Bookstore.
-
AP Studio Art
This course is established by the College Board and is specifically for serious students who are interested in building a sound portfolio of 15 pieces. These portfolios will be created based on the student’s individual interests and academic strengths. There is a wide range of focus areas such as architecture, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, animation, fashion, interior design, filmmaking, illustration, industrial design, photography, video game design, cartooning, fine art, etc.
As these students decide their focus and their direction, they will also select their favorite artistic mediums to work with. They’ll expand their horizens to create work that has intellectual and aesthetic depth with a core of artistic integrity. This work must emphasize a mastery of technique and display the skills and principles they’ve acquired throughout their study of art at WCHS and prove that their ideas are developed and refined. Students will need to work daily outside of class as their portfolios will be nationally critiqued and showcased at the Tri-Kappa Spring Art Show.
Students enrolled in this course must take the AP Exam in May. They are required to participate in the program and pay the associated fees. Financial assistance may be available.
Contact Us!
Department Leader Andy Tomasik Ceramics I, II, III/DC 3, IV, Sculpture atomasik@warsawschools.org
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Kelly Morrow Visual Communications I & II, Photography I & II Principles of Digital Design DC 6 kmorrow@warsawschools.org
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Jennifer Lefforge Drawing I, Intro to 2D Art, Photography I, Sculpture jlefforge@warsawschools.org
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Don Swartzentruber Drawing I, II, and III/DC 3, AP Studio Art dswartzentruber@warsawschools.org
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Department Administrator Heather Graham hgraham@warsawschools.org
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