Aloha AP Studio Art

FILL OUT THIS Google Form ASAP

Join our remind by texting @echiovaro to 81010

Elena Chiovaro: elena_chiovaro@beaverton.k12.or.us

Instagram: thegeekyartteacher #alohaapstudio

Dear Students (and Parents),

Welcome to AP Studio Art! The information below will help to prepare for the 2019/20 AP Studio Art Class.

The AP 2D Program offers you two choices of a portfolio to submit. Both portfolios will consist of a finished pieces and photographs of your process to the College Board in May. The portfolios share a basic, two section structure, which requires the student to show a range of skills.

You will be completing a portfolio that showcases your development of ideas, experimentation, and ability to create questions that guide the creation of your work. You will be completing a concentration of several works along a central theme or idea. We will begin these in the fall. You will also submit 5 pieces to the College Board that show them your work up close. This is your quality. We'll talk more about all this next year.

If you’ve taken AP in the past (or had friends/siblings who took AP Studio) know that it’s totally different this year. The College Board has changed the exam to focus more on the development of ideas. There is no breadth part of the portfolio any longer. During the year we will still be doing in class projects to challenge your skills and help you grow as thoughtful artists.

Course Descriptions:

  • AP Studio Art Drawing is for students interested in creating a portfolio using traditional art media: painting, graphite, mixed media, charcoal, marker and colored pencils. Students will explore a variety of mediums and subject matter. This course is for students who mostly enjoy realism, but would also like to explore some abstract pieces.
  • AP Studio Art 2D Design is for students interested in creating a portfolio in Graphic Design, Digital Photography, illustration or abstract art. If this is your first time taking AP Studio Art, you will most likely choose this option.

Read website and decide on a summer homework set you would like to complete. If you’re not sure which art portfolio (Graphic Design, Drawing/Painting, or Photography) that you want to do next year, feel free to just pick the summer homework assignments you think look the most fun or talk to me about what you’re thinking. All summer assignments are due at the beginning of class on the first day of class. Your summer homework can be found here.

You will be posting your project to instagram using the #alohaapstudio. I understand people have different summer schedules, but I expect you to post every three weeks too keep on track. Do not wait until August to begin. I will be posting my summer work and experiences right alongside you. This is your first grade.

The AP Studio Art Course will be taught at a faster pace than the normal high school art course, with higher-level skills, outside projects, readings, and a deeper exploration of art is expected. You need to know that you will spend at least as much time outside of class as during class time in order to successfully prepare an AP Studio Art Portfolio.

As additional motivation and as an opportunity, Scholastic Art and Writing entries are submitted in the fall. All students will submit one piece, but you can submit more (or even an 8 piece portfolio) to increase your chances of a significant scholarship. If you produce quality work, you may find yourself getting some college assistance. Check it out: http://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do.

I recommend all students to have a sketchbook for next year (yes, even graphic design and photography students). I would suggest a Canson XL Mixed Media (only $7) for most students. Drawing/Painting students: look on the class website for other sketchbook suggestions.

I look forward to working with you in preparing your AP Studio Art Portfolio, feel free to contact me during the summer via email.

Elena Chiovaro.


You need to post your summer homework over the summer...so I'll know if you're putting it all off. Make concrete plans to post one finished piece a month. This will keep you on track.

Finishing things is a favor to your future self. You'd do a favor to make a friend's life easier, so be kind to your future self and do them a favor too.