Art education at CCDS is comprised of two programs. The students receive visual/studio art lessons from the art teacher and art history lessons from parent volunteers. Visual art lessons are designed to promote creativity while developing an understanding of the basic elements of art. Younger grades focus on line, texture, shape, and color. Upper grades focus on color theory, color values, drawing with perspective, and blending and shading techniques. Students gain a broader understanding of the various genres and forms of art as they engage in drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and sculpture activities. Students work with a variety of mediums including tempura, watercolor, paper, oil pastels, chalk pastels, clay, colored pens and pencils. Many of the studio art lessons correlate with the art history lessons and focus on the art of various cultures, art movements, and styles of famous artists throughout history.
The art history program is taught by parent volunteers. Kindergarten and first grade lessons focus on the elements of art (line, shape, color, etc.) and the various genres (portraits, landscapes, still life.) Art prints of famous pieces and artists are used to teach the lessons and are followed up with a hands-on activity.
The art history program for second through sixth grades is a power point presentation. Parents are given a CD of visuals and a dialogue in order to present the information. It is a three-year program that gives the students a chronological and multicultural view of art. Students are exposed to the art of ancient to present day cultures as well as the major art movements throughout history. Units include Impressionism, Renaissance, Gothic, Pop Art, Greek, Chinese, Native American, African, American Painters, among others.
In March, student artwork is exhibited in an art show at the school. CCDS regularly participates in the Young Art Exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art as well as youth art displays at the Coronado Community Center.