AP Art Portfolio is a class that students can enhance their art skills and test them through submission of their portfolio for the final exam. In AP Art Portfolio, students create a cumulative portfolio of art pieces to submit at the end of the year; students can create portfolios of 2d art or 3d. If this class was to be added to Morgan it would be taught by art teacher Mr. Sylvia.
Sylvia has expressed his interest in teaching this class, but acknowledges that it would be difficult to schedule around the multiple art classes that Morgan already has available. Mr. Sylvia teaches drawing and painting 1, and drawing and painting 2, where students are introduced to materials such as graphite pencil, charcoal, colored pencil, oil pastel, maker, acrylic and watercolor. Additionally, he teaches sculpture 1 and sculpture 2 where they use metal, wire, fabric, textiles, and clay. Mr. Sylvia also teaches jewelry design, where students create all different kinds of jewelry. Mr. Sylvia enjoys seeing students’ reactions, “I enjoy seeing the joy in the students when they’ve created something that they didn’t necessarily think they could create”.
Student Sophie Sharp who participates in art club, as well as takes art classes, has expressed interest in taking this class she belives “it would give people a place to have a stronger passion for art and give them a challenge.” An AP art portfolio would be a great opportunity for students to expand their art abilities and have more freedom in what they create. Student Annabelle Parent, a sophmore, who is planning to go to college for an art major said, “I would love to take it, and I think that others would too, so they should totally make one.” Parent has had an interest in art for a long time and would be very enthusiastic to participate in a more challenging art class.
Although students at Greenwich and Windsor are offered this class, Morgan does not offer it, Mr. Sylvia says Morgan does not have an AP Art Portfolio yet because of the size of the school. Morgan is a relatively small school, only having 473 students. Larger schools may have a better chance to offer more classes due to more interest in diverse topics such as art. However Mr. Sylvia expressed his interest in teaching an AP class wich he believes will “open up a lot of opportunities for students to really expand their experiences with what they can make and take that next step towards college,” but emphasizes that he would need the interest of students to make it happen and would need to go through a long process.
To open an AP Art Portfolio course, Mr. Sylvia would need to propose the idea to the assistant superintendent, Mr. Famiglietti, who is in charge of curriculum and instruction. The idea would need to be proposed in the fall if it were to happen in the following year. After consideration, if Mr. Famiglietti thinks it is a good idea, then he would meet with Mrs. Hagness to find out how it would affect the schedule, as they would not want a new class interfering with Mr. Sylvia’s existing schedule and classes. If all of these things work out then Mr. Sylvia would be able to submit the form to get approved by Mr. Famiglietti, Mrs. Hagness, and Mr. Luther.
Freshman Annabelle Jennings who took sculpture said, “It would be a good addition to the school because of how many people who I know like art and would like a higher challenge.” Students who are interested in participating in a higher level art class based in creation rather than history such as the AP art exam, currently offered at Morgan, students would benefit from this class because of the creative freedom gained when making art for themselves while still learning different creative enhancements rather than a set in stone piece or medium they need to use.
