Arts
FCAHS Art Department: At-a-Glance Enrollment Guide
Our curriculum is designed to take you from foundational skills to advanced mastery. Most studio tracks offer a four-year progression.
| Medium | Levels Available | Days/Week | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Studio Art (Portfolio submission required for entry) |
AP Capstone • Art History
|
5 (most are fall semester only) 1 credit |
College-level portfolio development. Students choose a specific area of specialization. | |
| Art History | Intro and AP |
2 Day - Intro (.5 credit) 5 Day - AP (1 credit) |
A deep dive into the evolution of global art and visual culture | |
| Ceramics | 1, 2, 3, 4, AP |
3 Day (.5 credit) 5 Day (1 credit) |
Hand-building, wheel-throwing, and advanced glazing techniques. | |
|
Computer Art |
1, 2, 3, 4, AP |
|
Digital illustration, graphic design, and modern digital media. | |
|
Drawing/Painting |
1, 2, 3, 4, Portfolio, AP |
|
Fine Arts focus on color theory, anatomy and various wet/dry media. | |
Jewelry |
1, 2, 3, 4, AP |
3 Day (.5 credit) 5 Day (1 credit) |
Metalsmithing, soldering, stone setting, and wearable art design. | |
|
Photography |
1, 2, 3, AP |
3 Day (.5 credit) 5 Day (1 credit) |
Composition, lighting, and digital/darkroom processing |
Note to students: Starting your art sequence in ninth grade allows you to reach Level 4 or AP Studio Art by your senior year, which is ideal for college portfolio submission.
Other Information
Art Clubs & Community
Connect with fellow creatives and give back to the community through our extracurricular programs.
- Art Club: An open studio for all students to experiment with new techniques outside of class
- Ceramics Club: Specialized sessions for extra wheel time and large-scale clay projects.
- Fashion Club: Open space for students to design sustainable fashion or wearable arts
- Jewelry Club: Extra studio time for those passionate about metalwork and design.
- National Art Honors Society (NAHS): For high-achieving artists looking to lead through service and community art projects. (QRT and application requirement)
- Yearbook Club: Photography club that designs and produces an annual yearbook
** Most Clubs are held during QRT **
• Field Trips: Globally, we have taken kids to France, Spain, Italy, and Ireland; in the United States, we have taken kids to museums in Washington, D.C., and Cleveland; and locally, we have seen the Carnegie, Frick, and Warhol museums, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and so much more!
Exhibition & Publication Opportunities
We believe art is meant to be seen. Our students have multiple avenues to showcase their work throughout the year.
- Exhibitions: Participate in various community gallery shows and competitions hosted throughout the academic year. Recent exhibition sites include: Dublin, Ireland (Junk Kouture), Slippery Rock University, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Standard Ceramics, Ketchup City Creative, Carnegie Mellon University, Congressional Art, Paint the Plow.
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Compete at the regional and national levels for prestigious recognition and scholarships.
- Tapestry Publication: Submit your best work to our school’s award-winning literary and art magazine.
Recognition
The Renaissance Award is presented to any senior who has enrolled in at least one course from each specialized area throughout their HS career. (Art History, Ceramics, Computer Art, Drawing/Painting, Jewelry, and Photography - quite an accomplishment!)
Job Placement / Work Experience
• We have placed several talented students at local stores who were employed to help with artistic duties for their companyc(PhotoShop, jewelry finishings, stained glass, and painting)
• Fox Chapel Area High School employs one art student each semester to help with the day to day needs of the art department; learning about care and maintenance of each discipline. (1 cr + Hourly Wages)