Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Form 5 Subjects (CSEC) - Creative and Expressive Arts > Visual Arts

This course prepares students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Visual Arts examination. The program emphasizes practical skills development alongside theoretical understanding, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. The syllabus is structured around three core components:

• Two-Dimensional Expressive Forms: This component explores various art forms that exist on a two-dimensional plane. Students develop skills in:
• Drawing: Students learn observational, interpretive, and technical drawing skills, working with various subjects, including natural and man-made objects, and life drawing (human and animal forms). Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying elements and principles of art, such as line, shape, color, texture, and composition.
• Painting and Mixed-Media: This area focuses on creating artwork based on personal interpretations of given topics or themes. Students explore color theory, harmonies, and contrasts, experimenting with diverse painting media, materials, and techniques. They also learn to create collages and mixed-media compositions.
• Graphic and Communication Design: Students develop knowledge of design principles, layout techniques, lettering, and illustration to convey ideas and messages. They learn manual and computer-aided design methods, including graphic software, to create posters, advertisements, logos, and other visual communication materials.
• Printmaking: This expressive form involves creating editions of prints based on chosen topics or themes. Students learn various printmaking techniques, including collography, monoprinting, and reduction printing. They also explore different methods of image transfer and the use of diverse materials and surfaces.
• Textile Design and Manipulation: Students learn to create designs on fabric using techniques like dyeing, printing, embroidery, and hand painting. They also explore fabric manipulation techniques such as smocking, ruching, pleating, and tucking.
• Three-Dimensional Expressive Forms: This component delves into art forms that occupy three-dimensional space. Students develop skills in:
• Sculpture and Ceramics: Students learn to conceptualize, design, and create sculptures and ceramics in relief or in the round. They explore various techniques, including modeling, casting, carving, constructing, throwing, and assembling, using materials like clay, stone, wood, metal, and other natural and man-made materials.
• Leathercraft: This area focuses on designing and producing leather objects. Students learn surface decoration, manipulation, and finishing techniques, including carving, modeling, burning, appliqué, pleating, and braiding. They also learn about leather preparation, storage, and the safe use of tools and equipment.
• Fibre and Decorative Arts: Students learn to identify, prepare, and manipulate fibers and other materials to create functional and decorative objects. They explore techniques like plaiting, knotting, weaving, coiling, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery, using both natural and man-made materials.
• Theory, Process, and Practice of Visual Arts (Reflective Journal): This component is an integral part of the course and is assessed through a Reflective Journal. The journal documents the student's research, experimentation, and critical reflection on their chosen expressive forms. It includes:
• A title and statement of intent.
• Definitions of terms and concepts.
• Visual materials (illustrations, photographs, etc.) relevant to the chosen expressive forms.
• Background information on the chosen expressive forms, including historical and cultural context.
• Analysis and evaluation of artworks and artists related to the chosen expressive forms.
• Documentation of the student's own artistic process, including material selection, techniques, and experimentation.
• A personal artistic statement reflecting on the connection between research and the student's artwork.
• A bibliography.