Welcome to the Visual Arts Department
Tommy Douglas Secondary School offers students a progressive and diverse program in the Visual Arts. Each individual is encouraged to develop their own unique artistic vision and skills. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to inspire an environment of creativity, artistic integrity and respect.
At Tommy Douglas Secondary School, students will develop critical thinking skills as they become investigative and curiosity driven artists. Inspiration from both historical and contemporary artists will challenge students to question the world around them, broaden their perspectives and realize the power of art as an expressive mode of communication. Ultimately students will become more passionate learners and compassionate members of our society with the confidence to imagine and create a better world.
Through both the creative and critical processes, students will learn how to develop ideas and make associations and connections in order to become skilled problem solvers. This is an essential tool for students moving forward into future careers of any kind. The ability to generate and develop original and creative concepts is part of every project in our program. The opportunity to develop traditional skills and use contemporary technologies will also give students the ability to communicate well in our very visual world. Art is a language which transcends cultural barriers.
The Visual Arts Program offers a wide range of courses and opportunities. The Foundation Courses (AVI) offer experiences in drawing, painting, sculpture, design and contemporary artistic processes. The Digital Media stream (AWQ, AWR, AWE) offers courses in Digital Photography, Film and Video and Yearbook. The Design Series (AWD) courses include an introduction to design, graphic design, fashion design and industrial design. Additionally, the Portfolio Course in grade 12 (AVI4M2) course is designed to guide and support students in developing a successful portfolio, to fulfill the supplementary application(s) to post-secondary programs for arts, media and design (e.g Architecture, Interior design, etc.)
Art Subject Awards: These awards are not determined solely by academic standing. It is presented to a student who demonstrates strong creativity, proficient technical skills, and exemplary learning skills (e.g organization, responsibility, initiative, independent work, self-regulation, and collaboration). The recipient consistently shows a deep commitment to artistic growth and innovation and contributes positively and meaningfully to our classroom community.
Course Summary
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts | 9 | AVI1O1 | Open | This course will explore a range of media as they develop their artistic skills and visual understanding. The course introduces key areas such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and art appreciation. Students will learn and build their knowledge of the elements and principles of design, and learn how to use them effectively in their work. Through guided practice, they will apply creative processes and techniques to express ideas and convey meaning in their own original artworks. |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts | 10 | AVI2O1 | Open | This course invites students to advance their artistic abilities by exploring new concepts, materials, and creative processes. The course emphasizes the effective use of design elements and principles as students broaden their creative thinking and strengthen their art-making skills. Throughout the year, students will also develop their ability to reflect on, analyze, and interpret artworks within personal, contemporary, and historical contexts. |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Photography | 10 | AWQ2O1 | Open | This introductory course offers students a foundation in the photographic arts by combining both scientific and creative concepts. Students will learn the basics of DSLR camera operation and be introduced to Adobe Photoshop as a tool for editing and enhancing their images. Through guided practice, they will begin developing essential technical skills and an understanding of digital imaging processes. |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts (Drawing and Painting) | 11 | AWM3M | University/ College | Students will use the creative process to produce artworks across a variety of subjects while experimenting with different art mediums through both drawing and painting. They will learn to evaluate and interpret art using the critical analysis process and explore artworks through personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural perspectives. Pre-requisites: AVI2O1 OR AVI1O1 OR AWQ2O1 OR AVI1O1 |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts (Sculpture) | 11 | AWP3M | University/ College | This course introduces students to key artistic skills as they develop and present two- and three-dimensional works, including basic sculptural forms. Students will work with a variety of traditional and emerging media and learn how to apply the creative process more intentionally in their artmaking. Through guided use of the critical analysis process, students will learn to interpret artworks and consider how art reflects and influences society. In the studio, students will explore foundational materials, techniques, and processes that support the development of their personal artistic style. They will also examine connections among artworks across personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts. Pre-requisites: AVI1O1 OR AVI2O1 OR AWQ2O1 OR AVI1O1 |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Design | 11 | AWD3M1 | University/ College | This course enables students to further develop their knowledge and skills in design. Projects will include extended challenges in graphic design, interior design, architectural design, fashion design and industrial design. Students will also learn about the connections between design and different contemporary and historical design styles. Both the creative and critical analysis processes will be explored in each design challenge as students are encouraged to think “outside the box”. Pre-requisites: AVI1O1 OR AVI2O1 OR AWQ2O1 OR AVI1O1 |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Photography | 11 | AWQ3M1 | University/ College | This course builds on the skills acquired in introductory photography and further challenges students to work in a variety of photographic genres. The emphasis continues to be on technical quality and the development of personal responses and innovative imagery. Students will examine the concepts of the middle period of photographic history as well as contemporary photography and apply a full range of analytical criteria to photographic works. The emphasis is on professional standards and applications. Pre-requisites: AVI1O OR AVI2O1 OR AWQ2O1 OR NAC2O |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Film and Video | 11 | AWR3M1 | University/ College | This course provides students with opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will work on storyboarding, planning, visualization, concept boards and editing of video works as well as film history and criticism with a focus on the Canadian film industry. Prerequisite: AWQ2O1. This course leads to Grade 12 Film/Video. Pre-requisites: AWQ2O1 |
Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Film and Video | 11 | AWR3M1 | University/ College | This course provides students with opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will work on storyboarding, planning, visualization, concept boards and editing of video works as well as film history and criticism with a focus on the Canadian film industry. Prerequisite: AWQ2O1. This course leads to Grade 12 Film/Video. Pre-requisites: AWQ2O1 |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts (Portfolio Building) | 12 | AVI4M2 | University/ College | This course is open to students in visual arts, communication technology, architecture, fashion and visual design who require a portfolio for post-secondary admission. Students will work towards creating a portfolio that they will use to gain entry to a post-secondary school of their choice. Students will research a minimum of three programs that they find interesting. For each they must find out the academic and portfolio requirements. After this research is complete, students will propose 5 major projects that they will complete over the course to meet scope and scale requirements for a school they wish to apply to. There will be ongoing peer and teacher feedback to improve, and challenge student technique and critical thinking. Pre-requisites: AWM3M OR AWQ3M OR AWR3M OR AWD3M OR AWP3M1 OR TDJ3M OR TGJ3M1 OR TGI3M1 OR HNC3C1 OR AVI3M2 |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts (Drawing and Painting) | 12 | AWM4M | University/ College | This course will use the creative process to develop conceptual artworks, exploring a wide range of mediums through drawing and painting. They will have greater freedom to choose themes that reflect their personal interests and artistic voice. Throughout the course, students will apply the critical analysis process to evaluate and reflect on their own work and the work of others, considering personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts. The course will culminate in a final series of artworks that demonstrates their growth, creativity, and mastery of their chosen concepts and techniques. Pre-requisites: AWM3M1 OR AWP3M1 OR AWD3M1 OR AWQ3M1 OR AWR3M1 OR AVI3M2 |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Arts (Sculpture) | 12 | AWP4M | University/ College | This course emphasizes helping students deepen their use of the creative process as they develop and present two- and three-dimensional artworks. Working with a mix of traditional and modern media and technologies, students will engage in critical analysis to break down artworks and examine how art interacts with society. The studio component offers opportunities to experiment with diverse materials, techniques, and approaches that can inform their own artistic practice. Students will also explore relationships among artworks across personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts. Pre-requisites: AWD3M1 OR AWM3M1 OR AWP3M1 OR AWQ3M1 OR AWR3M1 OR AVI3M2 |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Visual Design | 12 | AWD4M1 | University/ College | This course focuses on enabling students to refine their use of the creative process when creating and designing two- and three-dimensional works using a variety of traditional and emerging media techniques. The importance of divergent thinking in the creative process and original problem solving will be a focus of the course. Students will develop their own style and brand as they work towards promoting their work through social media. The emphasis will be on adapting sustainable and progressive practices as well as professional portfolio development. Pre-requisites: AWD3M1 OR AWM3M1 OR AWP3M1 OR TGJ3M1 OR AWQ3M1 OR AVI3M2 |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Film and Video | 12 | AWR 4M1 | University/ College | This course focuses on enabling students to refine their use of the creative process when creating and presenting film and video works using a variety of traditional and emerging media and technologies. Students will use the critical analysis process to deconstruct international films and explore connections between film and society. This course enables students to explore a range of styles and techniques that can be applied in their own productions. The student will develop video shorts for a demo reel of their work as well as creating a submission to a local film festival. |
| Course Name | Grade | Course Code | Type | Description |
Information/ Consumer Design (Yearbook) | 12 | AWE4M1 | University/ College | The Grade 12 Yearbook course gives students a leadership role in creating the official TDSS yearbook, which will be professionally printed. Students will engage in all stages of production, from planning and photography to graphic creation, page layout design, and video editing. Everyone will have the opportunity to take on various roles essential to the project’s success, developing skills as both team members and project leaders. This hands-on course provides experiential learning at its best, helping students build real-world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles while producing a lasting record of the school year.
Pre-requisites: AWD3M1 OR AWQ3M1 OR AWM3M1 OR AWP3M1 OR AWR3M1 OR AVI3M2 |
Opportunities
SHSM Arts and Culture
The SHSM–Arts and Culture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Students will start the SHSM in grade 11 and must select a two credit co-op in either their grade 11 or grade 12 year. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on arts management, architecture, graphic design, interior design, fashion design, film, or technical production. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four art major credits in the bundle of grade 11 and 12 courses.
ARTS Council
The mandate of the Arts Council is to promote arts and culture at Tommy Douglas Secondary School. Initially we will be looking at creating an environment within our new building that will reflect our school's commitment to social justice and character education. Students will propose and work towards enriching the school by displaying paintings, sculptures and installations.
The Council also will unite all the arts disciplines to bring together arts events and multi disciplinary performances. A student does not have to be taking an art course to join.
We will meet once a week in the art room. Meeting time and place will be on the morning announcements.
Hope you can join us!
Resources
- The National Gallery of Canada
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- The McMichael Gallery
- Art History Resources on the Web
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Artcyclopedia: The Guide to Museum-Quality Art on the Internet
- World Art Treasures (historical art)
- The Getty Museum
- Art History Research Centre
- Voice of the Shuttle: Art and Art History
- About Art History
- World Art Web Kiosk
- Mother of All Art and Art History Links Page
- Yahoo Art History
- Art 21
Artist's Statements
How to Write About Art