Studio Art is an elective offered to students who have a passion for fine arts. It is the third tier of fine art classes that are available, following Intro to Art and Draw and Paint.

Ms. Cindy Parker, going on her 25th year of teaching art classes at Kearsley, expresses the importance of having fine arts available to students.

“It’s a different language — stress relief — a way you’re able to express emotions through art,” Parker said. “(Art) Improves creativity skills, and problem solving.”

For students looking to attend the class, there are certain criteria to be kept in mind.

“Regardless, you take Intro (to Art),” Parker said.

She said students see how well they perform in the class and work their way up to “meet criteria in order to take Studio.”

To be accepted into Studio Art, students must obtain a special signature from Parker.

How the assignments work is different from other art classes.

You must pick a theme to follow and create four compositions with different mediums that fit under the theme.

Students are given two weeks to complete each composition. Those pieces will be shared by an artist among his or her peers to receive positive and constructive criticism about his or her artwork.

Senior Alex Weidenhammer said he enjoys the class.

“(You) do your own thing, not a whole lot (of) commanding, (and you can) do whatever you want,” Weidenhammer said.

Senior Hayley Roush agrees with Weidenhammer, in regards to the fact that students get to “do whatever we want.”

“It’s based on us,” Roush said.

Roush is currently working on a pastel piece, which will come together with three other pieces to form a mixed-media dahlia, inspired by the famous artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

Senior Summer Webster has a great deal of enthusiasm for Studio Art.

“It’s a class where you can express yourself in — a class where I can let go and concentrate and relax,” Webster said. “If you’re interested in art, you should pursue it.”

Weidenhammer and Roush both agree on the fact that the class, overall, gives students a rare chance to completely be in control of their work and decide what they want to do.

Consider making room for Studio Art on your schedule for next year’s classes for an hour full of creativity and independence.