Fine Arts Department Vision Statement: 

Through appreciation, participation, and performance, students in the Fine Arts explore and discover Truth and Beauty by questioning, creating, and enriching their lives and the world around them. 

The Fine Arts department offers students an opportunity to discover and develop talents in the visual and performing arts. Students at St. Mary's find that practicing the arts offers balance and insight to their studies as well as fun and self-expression.

Visual and Performing Arts
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Students take one year of fine arts, a graduation requirement satisfied during the ninth grade through a semester course in visual arts and two quarter courses in performing arts - one in music and one in theatre.

Visual Arts
Students explore the art elements and develop basic drawing skills. This one-semester course provides a foundation for more advanced skills in other visual arts electives. The first semester of this course is integrated with English and Religion.

Performing Arts
Students explore and enjoy performance art at an introductory level. They will spend one quarter in theatre and one quarter in music. These courses serve as an introduction to the rich tradition of performance art at St. Mary's Academy and as a prerequisite to more advanced courses in music and theatre.

Visual Arts

AP Studio Art Portfolio
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts 9 & Drawing I & II for the Drawing Portfolio
      Visual Arts 9 & Graphic Design I & II for the 2-D Design Portfolio
      Visual Arts 9 & Ceramics I & II

Credit: Selective/1
Length: 1 Year

AP Studio Art allows students to prepare a portfolio of artwork in one of three categories: Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design to submit to the AP College Board for grading in May. Students create artwork for the three categories of the portfolio: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. They also write an artist's statement about the concepts of the concentration. Deadlines are given for the work to be accomplished, and students and parents sign a contract committing to completion of the work. Students will supply materials for final projects and presentation. Art supplies can be expensive depending on the chosen medium.

Calligraphy I
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Calligraphy I is an introduction to the art of beautiful handwriting. It is a laboratory course using the edged-pen and techniques necessary to study the Italic alphabet as well as other alphabets.

Calligraphy II
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Calligraphy I
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Calligraphy II is the study of several alphabets including Bookhand, Blackletter, Uncial, and others. Projects include illustrated poems and prose selections, books, cards, signs, and banners. Emphasis will be placed on design and lettering layout.

Ceramics I
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Students in Ceramics I will study pottery construction and pottery glazing. They will create hand-built sculpture work and wheel-thrown pots. Emphasis in this introductory ceramics class will be on craftsmanship and sensitivity to good design.

Ceramics II
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Ceramics I
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Students in Ceramics II will build upon techniques developed in Ceramics I and will refine abilities and techniques both with hand-built and wheel-thrown forms. Emphasis will be placed on design and glazing.

Drawing I
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Drawing I emphasizes realistic drawing from observation. Pencil will be the primary medium; however, ink, charcoal, and colored pencil will also be explored. Students will keep a sketchbook of out-of-class assignments.

Drawing II
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Drawing I or Instructor Consent
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Building on the skills developed in Drawing I, students in Drawing II will focus on color and on more complex compositions.

Visual Communication through Photography
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Students gain an introduction to the history, art, and science of photography and produce and critique photographs. Students need a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with manual option and will be responsible for purchasing and processing film. This is not a darkroom class.

Watercolor Painting I
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

The basic techniques of watercolor painting are introduced in this studio course. Topics include brush techniques, color theory, and composition as applied to a variety of subjects including still life and landscape.

Watercolor Painting II
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts 9 and Watercolor Painting I
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

This course builds on skills and techniques developed in Watercolor Painting I, focusing on more advanced use of the medium.

Performing Arts

Introduction to Dance
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Introduction to Dance offers students a solid foundation in dance technique and movement choreography.  Students will experience an introduction to a variety of dance styles, create and perform original choreography, and explore the history and culture of dance.  Required activities include participating in a daily warm-up, technique lesson, routine memorization, journal reflections, choreography activities, dance research, and performance preparation and presentation.  Introduction to Dance satisfies a PE 2 or FA elective credit.

Dance Performance I — Creativity & Movement
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Introduction to Dance/Instructor Consent
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Dance Performance I - Movement & Creativity offers students a forum to develop both as a dancer and as a movement choreographer.  The course focuses on establishing a solid foundation in ballet & modern technique, conditioning the body, and mastering proper posture and form.  Students are challenged to release their own artistic expression through original choreography and performance. Required activities include participating in a daily warm-up, technique lesson, routine memorization, journal reflections, choreography activities, dance research, and performance preparation and presentation.  Dance Performance I satisfies a PE 2 or FA elective credit.

Concert Choir
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Elective/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Concert Choir is a vocal ensemble open to any student who wants to sing. The class is designed to teach students basic vocal, part-singing, and music reading skills. Students in the Concert Choir perform at the Christmas and spring concerts, as well as other community and school special events. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the Oregon Music Educators Association solo and ensemble contest. Concert Choir meets during the "zero hour" before school, from 7:10-7:50 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Please see Miss Briggs' website for more information regarding Concert Choir.

Teacher's Website - Briggs

Marian Instruments
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Placement Audition/Instructor Consent/Private Lessons
Credit: Selective/0.5
Length: 1 Year

This is an instrumental performance class that meets twice a week after school. Students who play a woodwind, brass, string instrument, or piano audition with the teacher and are placed in chamber ensembles. Students in Marian Instruments perform at the Christmas and spring concerts and other community and school special events. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory. Students are required to study privately and practice school music outside of class. They are given the opportunity to participate in the Oregon Music Educators Association solo and ensemble contest.

Teacher's Website - Parker

Marian Singers
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Concert Choir/Audition/Instructor Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Marian Singers is an auditioned vocal performance ensemble. The Marians perform at school liturgies, the Christmas and spring concerts, and other community and school special events.  Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the Oregon Music Educators Association solo and ensemble contest.  The choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05-4:30 PM after school and sometimes during activity block.  Please see Miss Briggs' website for more information regarding the Marian Singers.

Teacher's Website - Briggs

Music Theory & Composition
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Freshman Performing Arts/ 1 Year Private Vocal or Instrumental Study
Credit: Selective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Music Theory & Composition is a study of the basic structure of music. Students will explore the elements of sound, music notation, tonality, modality, melody, harmony, rhythm, form, sight singing, and ear training. Students will apply these concepts to the music they are studying and begin composing original music.

Film Concepts
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Film Concepts is an introduction to the art of film. Focusing on the technology, language, history, and theory of film, this course aims to make students aware of how film is constructed, read, and interpreted. Course work includes viewing approximately fifteen films, reading selected chapters and essays on the subject, as well as writing analyses of motion pictures and theory. There will be short papers and a culminating project.

Musical Theatre
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Completion of Performance in Theatre I or Concert Choir or by Instructors' Consent
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Musical Theatre is designed to assist students in developing basic skills in the art of musical theatre performance. As soloists and members of an ensemble, students learn how to integrate the principles of musical theatre including acting, singing, and choreographed movement.

Performance in Theatre I
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Performing Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Performance in Theatre I focuses on the development of the beginning stage actor. Combining practical and theoretical models, students participate in exercises in memory, imagination, observation, and scenes from contemporary plays or alternative media.

Performance in Theatre II
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Performance in Theatre I or Instructor Consent
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Performance in Theatre II encompasses the study of advanced acting techniques. Focusing on analysis and performance of various styles, each student experiences the art of the actor through a variety of acting techniques.

Playwrighting
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Visual Arts/English 9
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Playwrighting is a course designed as a hands-on study of dramatic writing. The class examines the elements of dramatic writing including structure, characterization, dialogue, theme, plot, and setting. Students demonstrate an understanding of playwrighting through the writing of original monologues, scenes, and a one-act play, which may be performed as part of our annual New Play Festival.

Technical Theatre
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Performing Arts
Credit: Elective/0.5
Length: 1 Semester

Technical Theatre is an introduction to the theory, procedure, and backstage elements including costumes, scenery, properties, lights, makeup, and stage management. Students will apply knowledge of these elements to selected play reading and to the production of school plays.

Fine Arts Department

• St. Mary's Academy Alumna
• BA Elementary Education, Marylhurst University
• MAT Art, Lewis and Clark College
• Teaches Photography, Drawing I and II, Visual Arts, Calligraphy, and AP Studio

Kathy Briggs (Teacher's Website - Concert Choir) (Teacher's Website - Marian Singers)

• BA Music Education, University of Wisconsin
• Teaches Concert Choir, 9th Grade Music Appreciation, Music Theory, Marian Singers, and Musical Theatre

Steve Colley (Teacher's Website)

• BA Art Education, University of Alaska
• Teaches Ceramics, Watercolor, and Visual Arts

• BA Music, Oberlin Conservatory
• Teaches Marian Instruments

• BA, Carroll College
• MFA Directing, Minnesota State University
• Theatre Director
• Teaches Speech, Performance Theatre, and Playwrighting

Lauren Kawa

• BA Communication Studies, UCLA
• Trained in ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and Broadway
• Teaches Dance and Choreography

Faculty and staff may be contacted by phone at (503) 228-8306 or by e-mail: webmaster@stmaryspdx.org. Address subject line to the specific teacher.