Tiya Kaul

AP Art and Design students work on their portfolios. Students can submit their artwork to College Board at the end of the course in May. “Most people try to [get] College Board credit which is first week of May or do the art for competition which is like a month or two from [Spring Break],” Ye said.

Until May 1-7, AP Art and Design students continue to work on independent artistic projects and test out new creative elements. Although their projects have indefinite due dates, most students aim to complete their art by the first week of May for College Board credit.

“We work on our personal projects, our portfolios and a lot of people are doing exploration outside of their projects as well,” AP Art and Design student Nina Ye (11) said. “Some people are doing embroidery and there are a lot of materials you can play around with. It’s a great environment for artistic pursuits.”

AP Art and Design presents students with various opportunities to experiment with their artistic likes and dislikes to learn more about themselves and their craft.

“I enjoy the freedom,” Ye said. “You’re really supported in anything you do. It’s a great environment for unleashing your artistic ambitions.”

AP Art and Design has a lasting impact on former students as well, with them being able to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

“I did a piece called ‘Submerged in Silence,’” Former AP Art and Design student Abbie Moon (11) said. “It got into the Young Artists exhibition in the Saint Louis Art Museum and was depicted in May. It was about continued sustained investigation into human anatomy and emotions.”

Moon appreciates the help she received from the class and how it helped her develop her artistic identity and skills.

“I think [AP Art and Design] is really helpful because you can express yourself freely in your work and there’s not really a curriculum,” Moon said. “You can create whatever you want under sustained investigation.”