Class Provides Artistic Outlet

When one thinks about Advanced Placement classes, one generally may associate them with intensive schedules and a strict focus, but that’s not necessarily the case for all AP classes. 

Senior Erewyn Limric has taken AP Art twice and says she really liked the freedom and independence the class gives. This class gives the opportunity for both college and high school art credits. 

Limric recommends the course for those who are interested and can meet the requirements.  

“You do have to get into the class so it kind of filters out students who can’t handle the workload, but I would recommend it to any artist who just really loves to create stuff and is passionate about what they do,” Limric said. 

The class is taught by art teacher Dorrie Coleman, who said that people going into this class should at least have some sort of art skillset. 

“I don’t think the class is necessarily hard, but you need to be motivated, have determination and perseverance in order to get the amount of quality work need to be done,” Coleman said. “This is not a class for the beginning art student. Art needs to be your passion, whether it’s drawing, painting, collage, clay, metal work, jewelry, Procreate, etc.” 

Being in an art class also means students will be able to help or get helped by other artists that may have constructive criticism. 

“It’s really friendly; it’s easy to talk and share your ideas. That really helps when we’re giving each other criticism so you can improve your piece that you’re working on,” Dani Stobaugh, a current junior in AP Art said.  

Since it is an AP class, there is a portfolio students will have to create of the pieces they make in this class to submit as their AP test. 

Junior Avary Skaug is taking AP Art this year and says that the portfolio provides an opportunity to make choices on the pieces to submit. 

“I really like how the portfolios are set up,” Skaug said. “[I] like the concept of the portfolio because it allows us to have freedom to choose what we want to paint; it’s not a curriculum. We get to choose our portfolio topic and then we just have a lot of freedom to create.”  

The class is mostly independently working since the requirements by College Board does not allow the teacher to help with pieces.  

“Students have me to guide them through the process of creating their portfolio and the components, but I cannot help them with the artwork,” Coleman said. 

Self-discipline is important in this class because being on such a loose timeline, students may want to procrastinate and do the art later, but that could also end up hurting them later Limric said. 

“It’s great because of the freedom and because all the people you work with are really nice… But it’s nice because I think you get a good amount of independence… So, I think it’s a great environment for if you have your own self-discipline and you like working independently,” Limric said. 

Limric said her favorite part of AP Art was making friends with the other artists and getting inspired by them.