Near the end of the year, students wrap up their work, gather what they learned, and put it into one thing – the final. For SCHS’s AP Art students, this means finishing their portfolios they’ve been working on throughout the year. These portfolios will show, rather than tell, their ideas, skills, and who they are.

Junior Lillian Spencer and  junior Malia Jones are two of many AP art students who wrapped up their portfolios to submit to the district art show. They each chose their own theme to follow for their portfolios and went through the difficult process of making their portfolios unique and personal. Jones based her portfolio on childhood memories and how objects could represent those feelings. A lot of time, effort, and thought went into the process.

“Starting the portfolio was the hardest part,” Jones said. “Once I just sat down and really thought about it, it just kind of started working out.”

Spencer centered her art around animals and how pollution affects them. Her 3D sculptures represent the harmful effects of pollution in a variety of ways. To do this, she found new materials to work with and mixed new techniques with the old.

“I didn’t know how to use plaster until this project,“ Spencer said. “I’m still learning how to use it. But these are a lot of the things I’m comfortable with so I can make good art.”

Art teacher Christine Hilburn is in charge of the AP Art class at SCHS. She oversees their progress and plays a big part in guiding students and giving them a space to make great things. 

“This year has been one of my best years where all the portfolios really are consistently great,” Hilburn said. “This year really is a strong year for AP.”