AP 3D Art & Design

Course Overview

Teacher approval is required for admittance to this level. This class has been dramatically redesigned by the College Board in the past 3 years; this is the fourth year of the class under the new format. This class is designed for the student who is seriously interested in the practical experience of art. Students are expected to be independent workers who conceive of their projects independently. AP 3D Art and Design requires a student portfolio be submitted at the end of the year for a significant final grade, regardless of whether or not the student submits their portfolio to the College Board. The 3D Portfolio is inclusive of works in a wide and diversified range of techniques used in ceramics and sculpture. The AP Art and Design Portfolios, whether 3D, 2D, or Drawing, all share a basic structure, which ask the student to demonstrate a sustained and in-depth investigation and process of discovery through the Sustained Investigation section; students’ artwork should be inquiry based, and allow for research, material explorations, revision, and reflection, all of which is documented throughout its creation. The final section of the portfolio, Selected Works, asks the student to select 5 works that best exhibit a synthesis of materials, process, and ideas; works in this section can overlap with work that is also presented in the Sustained Investigation. Students will be required to put additional time into projects outside of the classroom. In conjunction with the portfolio work, students will develop works for exhibition and competition at regional, state, and national levels. Additionally, students will be expected to actively participate in large group peer critiques, wherein they will be required to speak about their own work as well as contribute meaningful feedback about their classmates’ work. And, like all students in my studio, they are expected to do their part to help maintain and clean and functional studio space. 

Class Fee

All materials and tools will be made available to the students in the classroom. Students are responsible for correct and safe usage of all tools, supplies, and materials.  Students will be held financially accountable for lost/damaged/broken items if the loss/damage is caused by misuse/abuse. 

There is a $45 class fee, payable through Skyward; please don't hesitate to contact me at rthomas@eanesisd.net with any concerns or questions about this fee.  

Studio Hours

Studio hours outside of class time will be held this year during 4th & 5th period lunch as well as after school until 5:00pm on one day of each week (TBD). 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Rebecca Thomas via email with any questions or concerns.  

Google Classroom

Westlake High School utilizes the Google Classroom platform to share classroom resources, many assignments, and assessment preparation materials to students. WHS students will receive a classroom code to access these materials, submit assignments, and track any missing work. 

Additional Resources

Pinterest! 

Idea boards for almost every project as well as for a host of related ideas can be found on the Westlake High School Art and Ceramics Pinterest page. Follow us and be inspired! (Ideas are posted for inspirational purposes only, not for plagiarism of any variety.)