"The greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor, it is the one thing that cannot be learnt from     others; and it is also a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an intuitive perception of the similarity  in [the] dissimilar." Aristotle (384-322 BC), Greek philosopher. S.H. Butcher, Aristotle's Theory of Poetry and Fine Art, 1951.

"A" Day Class:  (per. 3) 11:13 - 12:41 - Lunch 

AR401                        Studio Art 4                AP 

(1 year, 1 credit)

Studio Art 4 AP is designed for those who have completed all previous studio art courses and who intend to pursue a career in the field of art.  A final portfolio is required for submission to a college or post-secondary art school that conforms to College Board Standards.  The student is expected to produce artwork of his choice outside of class in addition to required assignments.  If possible, the Art 4 student should also take Photography 2 to supplement his portfolio.  An introduction to computer-generated art using Adobe Photoshop is a part of the Studio Art 4 class.  All AP Art students are required to also take AP Art History their senior year.  Class size is limited to 20.  Fee:  $100. 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of AP Studio Art 3 with a minimum grade of A/90% or above.  Approval of Art 3 teacher is required.  

REMEMBER ALL AP ART III AND AP ART IV STUDENTS OF MR. STANFORTH: ATTENDANCE AT THE ART ACADEMY of Cincinnati  PORTFOLIO DAY IS A REQUIRED AND GRADED ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR CLASS.  This years Portfolio Day is Saturday September 29, 2007 from 12:00 to 4:00PM.

For a current listing of all NASAD certified schools, (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) follow the link to the "members list"  page - leave the fields blank and you will have a complete up to date listing of all NASAD certified schools.  NASAD is the certifying organization for all Art Colleges.

Download the Course Description (.pdf/708K).
Complete information on the course and portfolios is available in the Course Description.
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (latest version recommended).

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year.

Most AP Studio Art candidates prepare their portfolios through organized AP instruction. If your school does not offer an AP Studio Art program, you may work independently to complete the portfolio. It is vital that you plan far enough in advance so that you can complete the portfolio on time. See the exam calendar for information on when portfolios are due.

The AP Program offers three portfolios: Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design. The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns (and methods). Each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the concentration section (Section II). In the breadth section (Section III), the student is asked to demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques. The quality section (Section I) permits the student to select the works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique, and content.

The table below summarizes the section requirements for each of the three portfolios.

All three sections are required and carry equal weight, but students are not necessarily expected to perform at the same level in each section to receive a qualifying grade for advanced placement. The order in which the three sections are presented is in no way meant to suggest a curricular sequence. The works presented for evaluation may have been produced in art classes or on the student's own time and may cover a period of time longer than a single school year.

Keep in Mind

• Your portfolio may include work that you have done over a single year or longer, in class or on your own.
• If you submit work that makes use of photographs, published images, and/or other artists' works, you must show substantial and significant development beyond duplication. This may be demonstrated through manipulation of the formal qualities, design, and/or concept of the original work. It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and often violates copyright law to simply copy an image (even in another medium) that was made by someone else.
• Your portfolio will be evaluated by a minimum of three and a maximum of seven artist-educators. Each of the three sections is reviewed independently based on criteria for that section, and each carries equal weight.
• You must follow the detailed specifications listed in the current Course Description and the Studio Art poster. If the guidelines are not followed, your grade report will carry a message saying that your grade is based on an incomplete or otherwise irregular portfolio.

Scoring Guidelines

2005 Scoring Guidelines

Drawing From Life  Unless specifically directed by the instructor all assignments and sketchbook drawings should be drawn from life; never from the work of another whether photograph or art reproduction. 

    "Art is not a product arrived at through following directions, copying, or conforming to a given model.  Art is not just a skill.  It is the process of thinking, imagining, risking, seeing connections, inventing, expressing in unique visual form.  Drawing is as basic and essential a mode of expression as is language and writing.  Everyone can draw.  And just as we all learn the same form of cursive writing but develop an individuality that becomes our identification, so our drawing develops as individually as our writing.  The task of a teacher is not to tell the student what it should look like; rather, the teacher's role  is to lead the student to look.  There is no absolute standard of good drawing.  Each artist has his or her individual style.  So too, every child will see and record individually.  To put a standard before a class and require students to aim to copy it is very destructive."          - Jean Morman Unsworth, Art Education, Nov. 2001

    Materials needed for this class that the student will be required to supply will be an Acrylic paint kit of no less than ten (10) different colors and black and white for a total of twelve (12) tubes of paint.  A one inch (1") wide brush.