Course Description
AP Studio Art – 2D Design or Drawing - is a two semester course for mature, motivated students who have completed several prior foundational Art Courses and/or have received a teacher recommendation to be in the class. AP Studio Art does not have a written exam, instead students are expected to create strong 24 piece 2D Design or Drawing portfolio to submit to the College Board in May. Completing the AP portfolio may result in Advanced Placement credit at the institution the student chooses to attend after High School, but does not guarantee it. It will, however, help the student to have a strong portfolio to submit for admissions and scholarship opportunities.
This class will require intense focus and work - both in and out of class. In addition to developing a portfolio, students will be expected to photograph and cataloged images of their work; participate in critiques, keep an original visual reference file/sketchbook for developing ideas, study artists, art-movements and terminology.
Students focus on work in a variety of media (drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, craft and all 2 dimensional art activities) that is designed to guide their growth and personal development in the visual arts. Using a range of approaches to art making, the student will be able to incorporate skills and techniques, which reflect a study of 2 dimensional art that spans personal, cultural, philosophical and historical viewpoints. A studio environment in which the students work independently while sharing ideas, work methods and opinions is established and fostered.
Structure of the portfolio: 24 Total Pieces = 12 Concentration + 12 Breadth (the five Quality pieces are taken from this group and sent to AP Central for grading - the remaining 19 pieces are submitted digitally)
You may choose to create either a Drawing or 2-D Design Portfolio:
Drawing Portfolio: For this portfolio, students address all drawing issues and mark-making concerns. They can submit not only work in traditional drawing media - pencils, ink, pastels - but also many kinds of painting, printmaking, and other forms of 2-dimensional expression.
2-D Design Portfolio: For this portfolio, students focus on the principles of design. This can include photography and digital work. It can also be comprised of drawings, paintings, prints and any other 2-dimensional art form.
Expectations Investment--The rigorous process of developing a portfolio requires a great deal of time and effort and the five 90-minute class sessions per week are markedly inadequate to create the amount of work necessary for the portfolio. The open studio is designed to provide concentrated work time in the studio with a teacher present as a resource. Open Studio Time which usually Tuesdays & Thursdays after school--is not required but is recommended for success.
Homework—Students may receive specific assignments or just be asked to spend time working on a particular in-class assignment at home. They should be prepared to spend three to five hours a week outside of class on their work. These extra assignments may address any areas of perceived weakness or lack of experience with a material.
Sketchbook--Students will use a sketchbook as a visual journal to work through ideas, to practice drawing and design skills, and to record their journey through this year.
Critiques-- The majority of class time is spent making artwork, though students are expected to participate in group and individual critiques throughout the semester. Each student must show his/her work and briefly discuss his or her intent. All students participate. The vocabulary of art is introduced through the foundation classes (Art1-3) and is reinforced through the verbal and written critique.
Gallery Visits—Students are required to visit at least three gallery shows in Raleigh or surrounding area. They will write a one-page reaction paper for each show.
Portfolio Show-Students will be required to have public viewings of their portfolio at school and/ or at other public venues.
Grading & Final--The final assessment activity for each semester is a combination of a written reflection and oral critique. The student’s grade will be based on a letter grade for the overall portfolio. Portfolio Components- During the first week of school, the course is outlined to the students. The individual sections of each portfolio—Quality, Concentration and Breadth—are discussed in detail. Slide examples from both the College Board that correspond to each section of the portfolio will be reviewed and discussed. Special emphasis will be made on the distinctions between the Drawing Portfolio and the 2-D Design Portfolio. Additionally, the students review the images and instructions from the AP Studio Art Poster.
2-D Design Portfolio-Students will produce a minimum of 24 works that satisfy the requirements of the Quality, Concentration, and Breadth sections of the AP Studio Art Drawing Portfolio.
***** students need to purchase their own personalized sketchbook or visual journal. In addition to any extra art materials they feel they need.
Copyright Issues-- Students are not allowed to work from published materials, either from photographs or other artistic works in the form of drawings or paintings, except as a reference. When doing this, students must move beyond mere duplication in their work. The work must be significantly altered in the service of the individual student’s own voice and expression. Misuse of copyrighted materials is plagiarism and a legal issue and can be pursued as such.