Huntley High School offers various art courses for those interested in expressing their creativity. Classes range from Basic 3D Art and Basic 2D Art all the way to higher classes like Advanced Art and AP Art Studio.
After taking a multitude of previous art classes, students can decide to deep dive into a college-level art class.
In AP Art Studio, students use various artistic techniques and mediums in order to curate a portfolio that symbolizes their growth as artists as well as individuals.
Different types of painting, sculpture, photography, and digital design all play a role in the student’s expression.
At the end of second semester, students are encouraged to submit their portfolio to AP.
This is similar to an AP test showing how a student learned from their class.
The class is run by Jillian Corapi, and she helps students of all ages and skill levels excel in art.
Whether the student is interested in art as a hobby or profession, she makes sure the students express themselves how they hope to, as well as heightening their awareness with their art.
Behind the scenes of the artists’ portfolios, they have to go through a process in order to discover what they want their portfolio to look like in the end.
Knowing what they hope to achieve, they can better execute what they desire in their works of art.
“So the first thing that we do is a bit of brainstorming, where we dig into what you are really interested in making as a young artist, why you want to do it, and how you think you might begin to go about it,” Corapi said.
Students take the time in class, along with their Open Studio period, to create the art they want to make. Whatever experience you have in the subject, you can do what you want with it in AP Art Studio.
“Art has been a passion of mine for a long time, and that stems from my mom’s and my uncle’s abilities,” senior Blake Wipperfurth said. “They inspired me to use my creativity to turn my ideas into reality.”
What an artist desires to achieve can now become a reality, for AP Art Studio offers them countless opportunities. They can experiment with whatever media they desire as well as create the pieces they envision. While this class can seem like a lot of free time and fun, work and assignments also take up a student’s time.
You have to complete smaller pieces of work or sketchbook assignments along with the big projects you have to make throughout the school year.
“For each project, you have to research a historical and a contemporary artist and then create a small, individual piece for those two artists that relates to whatever project you’re working on,” Wipperfurth said.
“Writing our sustained investigations has got to be the trickiest part for me,” senior Juliana Wright said. “Having the opportunity to experiment with new media and techniques also changed my outlook on AP. When I heard we were going to make digital pieces, I was annoyed and dreaded getting into it, but in the end, I ended up loving it.”
Students develop life skills beyond art. Time management and organization are vital to being successful in AP Art Studio, but also in a student’s overall life.
Whether it is with a job interview or with their future career, knowing how to get all your work done on time makes a confident and advanced associate.
