Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

Fine, Applied, & Performing Arts (FAPA)

Watertown Public Schools > Departments > FAPA

Exploring Electives

  • Electronic Music

    In Electronic Music students learn how to write music using music keyboards, which are connected to a computer. No piano experience is required for this class. You will learn basic piano skills and music theory gradually as you learn how to write songs on the computer. Students will leave the class with a CD of all the songs they have written.

  • Guitar Workshop

    In Guitar Workshop students learn how to play many different kinds of songs on the guitar. We start off with open chords, and learn how to strum with the right hand. We learn how to read guitar tablature, and more advanced things like barre chords and some scales for soloing. Students will have the opportunity to bring in their own songs to learn during class. You do NOT need to own a guitar to take this class.

  • WHS Drama Program

    The Drama Program has five courses - Introduction to Theater, Intermediate theater, Communicate, Technical theater and Directing. In these courses you will learn about acting, theater history, writing plays, directing productions, building sets, designing lighting for plays, writing speeches and how to build confidence when you make presentations in front of audiences. You do not need to be a member of the Drama Club or have any previous theater experience to take these classes. Drama classes are all hands-on classes where students learn to actively participate in their learning and understand much more about the theater so they can be more critical viewers of theater and movies throughout their lives.

  • Art 2D 1

    Art 2D 1 is the suggested course for any student who desires to learn more about drawing, painting and design. It is also a great course to take if you feel you may have a future career interest in visual art. Many of the concepts and skills you will learn in this class will help you do well in other art courses such as photography, studio arts and graph ic design. This studio based course provides an introduction to drawing skills through projects in drawing objects and portraits from observation, and room design using perspective skills. Elements and Principles of Design and color theory are taught through project work in painting. Projects in collage, printmaking and illustration are also a part of the course. All project work is designed to teach technical skills, introduce the work of master artists and challenge your imagination. Art 2D 2 is the advanced level of this course.

  • Art 3D 1 & 2

    Art 3D 1 & 2 is a great class for students who like to build art by hand and enjoy getting messy. Students work on projects in clay, plaster, wood, wire, cardboard an found objects. Many students enjoy working in ceramics. WHS is fully equipped with a kiln to tire your ceramics and all the materials and tools needed to create functional ceramics. Students also learn about architecture and sculpture through project work and the study of master artists and designers. Art 3D 2 is the advanced level of this course

  • Studio Arts

    Studio Arts is a year long advanced seminar course open to juniors and seniors who have successfully completed at least 3 introduction art classes at WHS. Students are required to participate in class presentations and activities, complete required assignments and design self directed project work for a personal portfolio of art. Work outside of class time is required. Some students use this class to create required art portfolios for art school application or to prepare work for the Advanced Placement Studio Art Exam. Field trips to see art in museums and Newbury St. Galleries, drawing from models, guest speakers, art critiques, and advanced technique demonstrations are some examples of class activities.

In recent years, the visual arts program has increased the emphasis on the ever-growing use of advanced technology in art. Time, energy, and money have been spent to upgrade the photography and computer graphics facilities at the High School into state-of-the-art labs, giving students real-world experiences. This next area will give you the opportunity to see and use some of this new equipment to excite your interest in this growing area of the arts.