Art of Apex: Ten Years

The banner above was the first Art of Apex blog banner.

One door closes another door opens...

10 Years Art of Apex from Apex HS Art on Vimeo.


Ten years ago, I returned to teaching, accepting a position at Apex High
School. The first year here, I only taught Art One and Art History. Later, we expanded the program to include Computer Art, and since then I have also taught Art Two and Art Three.

However, it doesn't matter which classes I taught. That's because, as the old saying goes, I don't teach art, I teach students. It's the students at Apex that made my position so easy to do and so enjoyable to have. They are the best!

Now, after ten years, I find myself starting a new adventure. However, I will always remember the students I was lucky enough to work with at Apex... so willing to try new things, so ready to dive in, sometimes about to drive me crazy, but always keeping it "real"!

So here is a quick look at the last ten years of the Art of Apex!

Thanks!

The Blind Portrait Project...

How do you draw a portrait when you have no idea who you are drawing or what they look like? Well, that was the assignment given to these art students as a way to get to know each other as the new semester kicked into gear.

First, I had everyone fill out an anonymous questionnaire. The questions asked about the student's strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes but it there was nothing on it about physical description.   Next, i distributed the questionnaires around the room. Nobody knew which student they had.

Their assignment: create a portrait based only on the information that you learn from reading the questionnaire. Media and everything else was up to the artist.

Today, each student presented to the class, describing what they created and why they created it. Then, I revealed which student they had created a portrait of.

The images show the person holding up the portrait that was created based on their personality questionnaire. Interestingly enough, the artists really nailed it!