Fine arts department teacher Cammi Newby sits at her desk in Room 164 on Feb. 25. According to Newby, due to the large range of artistic skills within her classrooms, she must adapt her teaching style depending on the student or class. “I think every year is a challenge because there is such a range (of students). There’s some students who have a natural talent, who are really good right off the bat, and there’s some that couldn’t even draw a stick figure,” Newby said. “There’s just such a wide range of ability levels, and the biggest challenge is to say, ‘How can I help all levels?’” Photo by Molly Harwell
During the 2021-2022 school year, art department teachers at CCHS added new electives to provide students with a place to learn and grow, regardless of their artistic ability.
Over the past few years, art department teachers at Clarke Central High School have worked to incorporate a more diverse range of art mediums from the classes offered to the curriculum, including photography, sculpture and ceramics.
In the 2021-2022 school year, more electives were added, including a new Photography II class taught by fine arts department teacher Amanda Price. To fine arts department teacher and co-chair Jessica Shelden, adding these new courses provide a way for students of all talents to pursue something they are passionate about.
“We really like to give kids a lot of different types of art, so that one kid, who’s maybe not great at drawing, can be successful in Photography or successful in Art History,” Shelden said. “We want them to feel confident that they’ve made something that they can be proud of, whatever that may be.”
“We really like to give kids a lot of different types of art, so that one kid, who’s maybe not great at drawing, can be successful in Photography or successful in Art History. We want them to feel confident that they’ve made something that they can be proud of, whatever that may be.”
— Jessica Shelden,
fine arts department teacher and co-chair
Within these new classes, Newby hopes that students will gain a new respect and understanding for art.
“In visual arts, (I hope students will achieve) an appreciation for art, and a joy in making art,” Newby said. “I really hope that they have fun with it and actually create something that they are proud of.”
Art classes are places where students can unwind and destress from the busyness of the school week, according to sophomore and visual arts student Brooke Sheppard.
“I feel like taking an art class is a great way to have free time in your school day, because I know people get stressed out about all the classes they have to take,” Sheppard said. “An art class is a great way to just let loose and have fun.”
However, while these classes provide a space for students to relax, they also are a learning opportunity. Shelden urges her students to step outside of their comfort zone and helps them to grow in their artistic abilities.
“(Students) come in, and I think a lot of them are surprised at the level that we expect out of them, because we know kids are capable of it,” Shelden said. “Good things come out of struggle, so they’re going to be pushed in our classes, which is why our program grew, because kids know that they are going to come and learn something.”
