AP Studio Art Portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. Taking this AP Studio Art course requires a commitment and an energy level, which goes far beyond doing assignments and homework assigned to lower level art courses. If you wish to be successful in this course, make up your mind right now that you will have to put in extra time to improve your skills and develop ideas.
Purchase the following supplies at Michaels, Binder’s Art Supply or the ABC Art Supply: one black uniball pen, drawing pencils and variety of watercolor markers, you may use a used sketchbook or a journal you have made.
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
Your summer assignment has two parts:
- Reading and thinking about sculptors whose work you identify with
- Making two sculptures
These assignments will be due at the end of the first week of class in August and will determine most of your first quarter grade. We will have a class critique on your summer work.
- Research sculptors: Find three sculptors whose work really interests you. Research their work in books, internet, or in person. Describe the issues they explore in their work in your sketchbook and document with drawings and pasted in photographs. You may choose any sculptors that interest you, but a list is provided for your convenience.
Magdalena A. Bakanowicz
Ana Medieta
Robert Arneson
Joan Miro
Jean Arp
Henry Moore
Joseph Beuys
Louise Nevelson
Christian Boltanski
Isamu Moguchi
Constantin Brancusi
Claes Oldenburg
Christo
Meret Oppenheim
Marchel Cuchamp
Martin Puryear
Red Grooms
Alexander Calder
Andy Goldsworthy
Richard Serra
Julio Gonzalez
Charles Simonds
Ann Hamilton
Kiki Smith
Eva Hesse
Robert Smithson
Barbara Hepworth
James Turrell
Rebecca Horn
Peter Voulkos
Jeff Koons
Fred Wilson
Maya Lin
Jackie Winson
Jacques Lipchitz
Pablo Picasso
Choose two of the following projects and complete for critique during the first week of school:
A. Found object sculpture. Using a minimum of 15 found objects (trash, recyclables, old toys, etc…) create an abstract sculpture that focuses on positive/negative space. Focus on craftsmanship and a well-thought out design. Size may vary, but your final sculpture must be a minimum of 12” inches in at least one direction.
B. Form. Using paper materials only (this can include colored paper, cardboard, etc.), build a 3D sculpture (in the round) demonstrating strength and motion. This work should be well crafted and complete from all angles viewed.
C. Reed and tissue paper insect sculpture. Using wicker reed and tissue paper you will create a model of an insect of your choice. Research a variety of insect forms on the internet. Do line drawings of various insects before you choose. Soak the reed for 30 minutes in water before you start bending the reed. Look at your insect as a linear skeletal form. Bend, cut and tie your wicker with string. After you decide on a definite form glue the reed with either white craft glue or a glue gun. Join the different pieces together with glue. As the insects take form, emphasize the visual planes by gluing white tissue paper over sections of the skeletal forms. Cover about half of the structure with tissue paper and leave half of the spaces open. Sculptures should be approximately 9” x 12”.
D. Self portrait Cubist sculpture from corrugated cardboard. 12 - 18” high. Should be sculpture in the round and pleasing from all angles. Use hot glue or elmers to attach pieces. Get ideas for this from African masks or sculpture by Picasso.
E. Wire Sculpture Animal: Create an animal; you must use a variety of techniques like braiding, twisting, stacking, bending, wrapping straightening, curving, crimping or weaving. You may not use soldering, welding or gluing.
F. YOUR CHOICE. ANYTHING YOU WANT
Keep in mind you are working a 3-D format and all sides are important to the finished piece.
Trash picking/found objects: Collect a box full (or more) of interesting objects and junk. Broken objects, (irons, hair dryers, flashlights, etc.) machine parts, natural objects, household items – anything that interests you in terms of shape, volume, texture, color, meaning or social significance. Objects that are modular or occur in multiples can be especially useful. Bring to school the first week. You can become a member at Trash to Treasures in Pompano.
YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF 3 ASSIGNMENTS, 1 DRAWING AND 2 SCULPTURES. DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to do these. Enjoy, relax and create. Have fun while doing these. Just as soon as possible, register at . Here you will find information on AP Studio Art classes, the exam, scoring rubrics used and examples of past students work in each of the portfolio areas.
I will be looking for the following qualities when grading your work:
- Quality of craftsman ship, understand and manipulation
- Thoughtful and intentional use of the elements of designs and principles of design
- Innovative visual solutions-avoidance of cliché, working toward an individual voice and statement in visual media
- Does the work ask interesting questions
If you have a question, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I look forward to seeing you in August.