A concentration is a body of related works that demonstrate a student’s sustained and thoughtful investigation of a specific visual idea. It is NOT a selection of a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects or a collection of works with differing intents. Students are encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as intensively as possible; they are free to work with any idea in any medium that addresses drawing issues. The concentration should grow out of the student’s idea and demonstrate growth and/or discovery through a number of conceptually related works. In this section, the evaluators are interested not only in the work presented but also in visual evidence of the student’s thinking, selected method of working and development of work over time. Students are encouraged to include images that document their processes of thinking and creating.
While the list of possible concentration topics is infinite, here are a few examples of concentrations that have been submitted in the past:
A series of expressive landscapes based upon personal experience of a particular place.
A personal or family history communicated through the content and style of still-life images.
Abstractions from mechanical objects used to explore mark-making
Interpretive self-portraiture and figure studies that emphasize exaggeration and distortion
An exploration of interior or exterior architectural space, emphasizing principles of perspective, structure, ambiance created by light, etc.
Students will develop and present a Google Slides presentation to the class about their chosen direction(s) for their concentration portfolio.
The presentations must include the following:
A clear and concise artist statement about the theme for the proposed concentration. This should be no more than 4 to 5 sentences in length and include the following:
Theme - What idea are you exploring with your Concentration? See College Board Sample Portfolios Here
Visual Style- What visual elements and stylistic mark-making will be utilized to create unity between each of your concentration pieces?
Concentration development sketches, including style and media choice as well as completed sketches of a minimum of 4 possible pieces.
Visual Style Samples. Cropped images of visual elements and stylistic mark-making to be utilized throughout the concentration.
Images of any similar artistic styles or artists that may be an influence in the direction of the concentration, if any.
Minimum total Slides: 12