Meet the Visual Arts Teachers

Mr. Harbourt has over 15 years of art education experience, including Community College, Middle School and High School.  Before becoming a teacher he worked as a Graphic Designer for nearly a decade before getting the teaching bug.  After six years teaching art at Hale Charter Academy, Mr. Harbourt transitioned to High School where he currently is the Co-chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department.  Other than collaborating with teachers and administrators to develop the VAPA Program, he helped pilot Visual Arts integration into the 9th grade curriculum for the Humanitas Program.  He also started the first V.P.A. credit based program into the Independent Study Program.  His AP Studio Art class has won several prestigious awards and many of his students have majored in career-driven creative fields at some of the top art schools in the country.  Mr. Harbourt graduated with a B.F.A. in Illustration from Syracuse University and earned his teaching credential from CSUN with top honors.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling, trail running, hanging out with family and friends, and of course creating art.

Mrs. Adamczyk was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley.  She started her teaching career in the Fall of 1973.  She journeyed through many schools before finding her home at El Camino in January of 1992.  Throughout her career, Mrs. Adamczyk has taught all forms of art from Ceramics to Calligraphy.  Before becoming a teacher, she was a professional choreographer and dancer.  She still enjoys dancing in her free time.  Mrs. Adamczyk received her BFA in Visual Arts and Home Economics from California State Northridge.  She brings knowledge and experience to the students, the department, and to the school as a whole.

Ms. Gooze graduated from El Camino in 2001.  She has been teaching Design and Drawing at El Camino for 4 years, in the same classroom that she had art class in when she was a student! She has been teaching High School and Middle School Art for 12 years total. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Studio Art in 2005.  She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Technology in 2011 from CSUN.  She enjoys experimenting with many different types of art mediums including painting, drawing, collage and digital media.  She is very inspired by modern art movements including Expressionism, Surrealism, and Pop Art. Her teaching objective is to make Art relevant to students by connecting what is learned in Art class to other disciplines and the real world. Her goals for students are to help them realize that Art and Design exists all around them.  She aims for students to develop their critical thinking skills by creating art and also for students to be able to express their feelings, interests, and ideas.

Ms. Conte is a photographer, visual artist, and educator who was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Photography from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2017, and her Teaching Credential from California State University, Northridge in 2020. In her spare time, Ms. Conte loves reading, writing, camping, and traveling. Her approach as an educator is to instill a growth mindset in all students, providing students with the framework to embrace the process rather than fearing the result. She believes that teaching art has as much to do with teaching creative problem solving, empathy, persistence, and reflection as it does with teaching craftsmanship.

Course Descriptions

AP Art and Design

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts. The AP Art and Design program consists of three different courses and AP Portfolio Exams—AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing—corresponding to college and university foundations courses. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams. Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented.

In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams.

College Course Equivalent The AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing courses are designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in 2-D art and design, 3-D art and design, and drawing, respectively.

Prerequisites AP Art and Design courses are for all students who are interested in inquiry-based thinking and making. Although there is no prerequisite for AP Art and Design courses, prior experiences learning about and making art and design support student success in AP Art and Design. Students who have not had opportunities to take art or design classes prior to AP will likely need assistance in developing a foundational understanding of art and design materials, processes, and ideas to prepare them for success.

Cartooning and Animation

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts. In Cartooning and Animation, students learn about the history and techniques of illustration, cartooning and animation in conjunction with learning about their aesthetic properties. The course includes freehand drawing and rendering, layout, and the use of basic drawing tools and various materials for the reproduction of images. Students’ study uses for and thematic elements, character development, and visual effects incorporated into political and social cartoons in historical and contemporary times. Careers in cartooning, animation and interactive gaming will be discussed.

Design and Advanced Design

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts. In Design, students further their aesthetic appreciation and knowledge of the diverse forms and various materials used to solve the utilitarian needs of all societies, past and present. The student will explore three-dimensional processes with various materials using traditional and nontraditional constructive techniques. Instructional topics support learning in other content areas and encourage lifelong learning.

Drawing and Advanced Drawing

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts. In Drawing, emphasis is on the development of student’s skills and knowledge to improve object representation using line, value, shape, and composition. The course is centered upon the study of drawing in historical and contemporary times and aesthetic criteria relevant to their understanding and appreciation. Students’ are prepared for advanced classes in the visual arts, and with knowledge of careers.

Painting

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts. In Painting, students will learn a variety of types of painting, including watercolor and acrylic. They will explore a range of subjects including still life, landscape, interior, animals, and abstract. Students refine their ability to apply principles, theories, and techniques of painting to problems of conceptual and representational expression. Students will learn about famous artists and styles of art. The course helps the student to investigate and prepare for potential post-secondary educational and career opportunities.

Photography

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to both the camera and the world of photography. It will provide students with technical and academic instruction, allowing students to express their individual experience while executing artistic standards and principles of design in photography. Throughout the course of the year students will learn to work in each of the different creative modes of the camera, as well as find their own voice in the imagery they’re creating. This course will also provide students with the techniques and skills necessary for editing, printing, and mounting their photographs at exhibition quality. Students will be taught to focus on individual growth through the use of both digital and physical portfolios, and will engage in meaningful critiques with their own work as well as the work of their peers. Students will be taught the historical relevance of photography through lectures and readings and will engage in conversations about contemporary notions regarding the photographic medium. 

Calligraphy

The purpose of this course is to provide a balanced visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts.  In Calligraphy, students develop skills in precision hand-lettering.  This means that students will improve their penmanship by means of daily practice.  Specific alphabets and arts projects will be developed using the basic lettering skills acquired by classroom practice.  Calligraphy requires a considerable amount of time and practice in the classroom.