Why Take An Art Class?

The arts, sciences, humanities, physical education, languages and maths all have equal and central contributions to make to a student's education. Ken Robinson

As students are making course selections this week they should consider signing up for an art course. Here is a great list of things you learn in Art....
1.   Art stimulates the brain and helps develop problem-solving skills.
2.  Art builds a keener sense of perception, contributing to making better decisions.
3.   Art engages the senses.
4.   Art helps you relax.
5.   Art stimulates creativity.
6.   Art helps develop individuality and independence.
7.   Art helps to build self-esteem.
8.   Art gives you a sense of well-being.
9.   Art generates enjoyment.
10. Art promotes self-expression.
11.  Art promotes abstract thinking.
12.  Art gives you a feeling of accomplishment.
13.  Art promotes non-verbal communication skills.
14.  Art is exhilarating.
15.  Art teaches us more about ourselves than we imagined.
16.  Art inspires us to be even more creative than we already are!
http://epchsart.weebly.com/why-take-art.html

Did you know that:

• Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-arts-education
• here at Burlington High School we offer 22 different year long course for students to select from
• we annually have 10 or more alumni  who return to share about their successful careers as artists and designer?

Here are some great quotes from Alumni about the art program:

"The value of the BHS Art Program was monumental in my success as a graphic designer. First of all, I would have never even taken an art class if it weren't for an observant art teacher in a study hall encouraging me to take the class while watching me doodle. Freshman year of college all of my classmates were trying to gain a base knowledge in the programs while I was able to really thrive and focus on my creativity because I already had a phenomenal base from 3 years of graphic design in high school. I will always be grateful for the BHS Art Program, it literally gave me a career path and was an integral part of shaping me as an individual."
-Elyse Goldstein Emery, (class of '03)

The BHS Art Program and its teachers guided me to my choice to be a graphic designer. Through the classes I took, I was exposed to many different methods and styles of art making. I started my journey of graphic design my sophomore year, tracing letterforms from specimen books and cutting them out by hand. I am lucky to have had such experience in high school, and knew exactly what I wanted to do when I started at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Thank you BHS for helping me find out who I am today.
Laura Allegretto, Graphic Designer

I relate a lot of my success to Burlington and its art department. Because of BHS and my art teachers I was able to grasp an understanding of design much earlier than most people and transform that into a focus at Syracuse University. If it weren't for BHS I would not be where I am today. A lot of people say that art and design are not important classes to take and don't become an artist because you will never find a job. But this is completely false. This is one reason I feel it is important to come back to BHS for Alumni Artist Day, so I can share what I have learned and encourage students to think about majoring in and finding jobs in art and design.
Jason Yeadon, NHL Graphic Designer

Learning to draw through observation was the most important skill that I aquired while at Burlington High School. I cant stress enough how important it is to have a strong foundation in life drawing when you get to college and aim to further develop and diversify your work. Drawing from life is the foundation on which I base all of my work, stylized or not. If you don't know the basics, you'll never be able to make what you see in your head come to life on paper. BHS taught me that the world is my greatest drawing aid, and that drawing what I see in front of me is never a poor use of my time.
Shauna Leva, Illustrator
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Here is more info about our program and list of courses:
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BHS ART & DESIGN PROGRAM
This primarily studio-oriented art program emphasizes visual literacy, technical skills, and creative problem solving. Discussion of art historical topics and famous artworks is incorporated into all art courses. Students will be encouraged to maintain and revise a portfolio of their most successful work.

The following is a list of art courses offered at each grade level:
Design (CP I) – Grades 9, 10,11,12
Drawing & Painting I (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Drawing and Painting II (CP I) – Grades 11, 12                  
Drawing and Painting III (CP I) – Grades 11, 12                  
Ceramics I (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Ceramics II (CP I) – Grades 11, 12
Ceramics III (CP I) – Grades 11, 12
Sculpture (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Photography (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Creative Photography (CP I) – Grades 11, 12                                           
Photo Portfolio (CP I) – Grades 11, 12
Advanced Photography (CP I) – Grade 12
Fashion Design I (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Fashion Design II (CP I) – Grades 11, 12    
Graphic Design (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Web Design (CP I) – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12   
Digital Arts (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Digital Publishing (CP I) – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Introduction to Architecture (CP I) – Grades 10, 11, 12
Portfolio/Advanced Art (Honors) – Grades 11, 12                  
Advanced Placement Studio Art (AP) – Grade 12
Independent Study – Grades 11, 12

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