Overview
Whether working in the traditional areas of painting, architecture and design or with the new electronic computer aided media, the artist has been responsible for documenting man’s greatest achievements throughout history.
At St Patrick's College, we encourage our students to investigate all aspects of the visual arts. This goes far beyond an academic grounding in the subject and into a life long appreciation of fine art, design, craft and art history.
Course Study.
Junior Certificate
All students are given an opportunity to sample Art over September and October
before making a decision whether to carry it to Junior Certificate. The areas
of study for the first two years are primarily exploratory, with an emphasis
on learning new skills and techniques. Third year is taken up with a theme
based project which involves producing four disciplines, Painting, Graphic
Design, Sculpture and an Option area (packaging, screen printing, pottery
etc).
Leaving Certificate
Towards the end of third year, students must decide if they wish to carry
Art to Leaving Cert.
The areas of study to Leaving Cert are Life Drawing, Still Life or Imaginative
Composition, Craft or Design for Craft and Art History. Much of the work
carried out over fourth year is exploratory, where the student is encouraged
to investigate new ways of problem solving through specific design projects.
While there is still a strong emphasis put upon developing drawing skills,
there is also time made for expimental work in packaging design, print,
ceramics, sculpture and painting.
Art History is the only area that students will not be that familiar with.
The course is divided into three areas. Irish, European and Art Appreciation.
Transition Year
The Transition Year course for Art is structured to give students as broad
an experience of Art as possible. The year is divided into four sections:
Art and technology, Art and performance, Art and the environment and Art
and society.
Through these modules students will develop their skills in drawing, painting,
graphic design, computer aided graphics, environmental design, ceramics,
printmaking, three dimensional studies, history or art and appreciation
and photography / film making.
Experimental and group work is very much part of the Transition Year experience.
It is not necessary for students to have studied art before, however those
who may wish to go on to Art College can use their TY work in the preparation
of a portfolio.
Visits to art galleries and practical workshops in craft areas will also
be part of the experience.
Future Options
Where does the subject lead?
Art and the making of Art can be placed into three categories: Art for tertiary;
Art for leisure/self growth; Art for profit. Art can be regarded as an on-going
life activity from which much pleasure and self-satisfaction can be derived.
When students have found their particular area of expertise, it is a life-long
affair which has no boundaries. In an ever increasing mass produced society,
discerning people value the worth of the individualised item and this is reflected
in the craft areas which provide an income and life-style for many. Art is
also at the forefront in the use of Computer generated graphics, animation
and creative web site building.
If entry into Art College is envisaged, a portfolio containing a broad selection of experimental drawing and 3d work is required. If students wish to undertake Art teaching, school results are a pre-requisite. The areas where a knowledge of and flair for creative design and problem solving is an asset.
Listed below are just some of the Art related career avenues.
Industrial Design
Interior Decorator
Architect
Sign Writer
Theatre Design
Museum / Art Gallery personnel
Jeweller
Package Designer
Fashion Designer
Illustration Book Designer
Sculptor
Television / Special Effects Artist
Art Therapist
Technical Illustrator
Cartoonist
Potter
Art Teacher
Animator
Display Designer
Photographer
Computer Graphics
Costume Designer
Lay-out Artist
Painter
Printmaker
Commercial Artist
Art Director