ART: Poly art classes give students the opportunity to unleash their creativity.
By Chloe Vega, Staff Writer
Students who want to express themselves may find the proper outlet in one of Poly’s visual art courses. Run by Mrs. Kelly Poelstra and Mrs. Elizabeth Morrow, Poly’s art program not only teaches students how to compose art pieces but provides students opportunities to compete in art competitions as well. These classes teach students how to create different styles of art while simultaneously providing additional knowledge on the subject.
Although art is an elective class, a student can still gain valuable information on the subject. In the main course, students are taught about different art styles and how they were created. “Students create projects that they can be proud of while learning about the elements of art and the principles of design,” Morrow explained. “You can learn about concepts in life that you don’t normally learn in classes such as math and science. Also, you can learn to appreciate one of society’s aspects of entertainment,” Kuleesha Ruwanpura (9) commented. By learning the fundamentals of art while at the same time creating it, students form a better understanding of the subject, and they are able to notice new things in the art they see.
Students taking this elective are also given the chance to participate in local art contests. These opportunities can help motivate students to display their skills, and participating in competition can boost confidence. “It’s good to participate in competitions and conventions related to art in which you can apply the new skills you learn from the class,” Ruwanpura remarked. Entering art in competitions and looking at other entries allows students to see and learn new styles. “You can recognize what techniques other people used in their art,” Ruwanpura added.
Any student who is interested in showing off their creativity or just wants to learn some new skills should consider taking this elective. Not only does it teach students how to make art, but the lessons explain the story behind it. Plus, you can show off your skill. “This is an excellent class not only because I enjoy art, but getting to see the different types of art that can be created is beautiful and interesting by itself,” Janet Abzakh (9) described.