My 2nd grade watercolor chameleon
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Every school year since the first grade, with the exception of sixth and eighth, at least one of my artworks has been selected to be in Prince William's All-County Arts Festival. One artwork for every elementary school and middle school is given a Student Art Collection award. I prefer its colloquial name: white ribbon. In the second grade, I received that ribbon. I didn't know at the time that a judge looked at my second-grade watercolor painting of a chameleon and thought, this kid has talent, several years before I knew I had any.
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In the sixth and seventh grade, I took an art class for a quarter of the school year. In the seventh grade, multiple of my artworks were displayed for the All-County Arts Festival. An additional piece was one of three artworks which were selected to represent my middle school at the Kelly Leadership Center for a brief period of time. At the end of the school year, my school held an award ceremony for sports, academics, outstanding student leadership, etc. I was one of two people in my middle school who receive an award for art. Unfortunately, I was unable to take an art class in the eighth grade.
Colgan High School
I had no idea how much my life would change after I discovered a program at Woodbridge High School called the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA). I created an art portfolio for the audition, tried out, and was accepted. My nineth grade art teacher told us that 25% of students who audition for the visual arts department were accepted into the program that year. After attending Woodbridge High School for several months, I was informed that the program was going to move to a newly constructed school called Colgan. I transfered with the program and graduated in 2019 having successfully completed it.
Here, you can see and read about my art projects and sketchbook assignments. I work with basic media like pen, color pencil, acrylic paint etc. My art always tells a story or makes a statement about who I am. I especially enjoy doing mixed media in my sketchbooks, which is where I usually made my more story-oriented works. My specialty is making sculptures out of beads and malleable wire. I don't like to draw still lifes. Drawing from real life observation frustrates me, which is why I perfer using two dimensional references. Imagination and creativity is my strength. I prefer to focus on the joy of imagination, the undesirable aspects of reality, history from the first half of the 20th century, and my emotions, beliefs, experiences, etc.
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I wish someone could have told be everything I am about to tell you. Reading about the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts is different than hearing about it from someone who has actually completed the program. I provided links at the end of the article if you are interested in auditioning. I will only be discussing the visual arts section of the program.
Fun fact: In CFPA, we have to say that our CFPA concentration is visual arts. Why can't you just say art or the fine arts? Music is music, acting is acting, dancing is dancing, writing is writing, and art is art, right? You are right, but after someone finds out that you're in CFPA, then that person will usually ask, "What concentration?"
If you say, "Art," then they'll say, "Yeah, but what concentration?"
Art refers to band, orchestra, piano, music technology, chorus, theatre, dance, creative writing, and visual art, making it the umbrella term for all concentrations. Performing arts is the umbrella term for music, theatre, and dance. Music includes band, orchestra, piano, music technology, and chorus. Fine arts is the term for the only two concentrations which focus entirely on creation: creative writing and visual arts.
The Program's Purpose
I know you are asking: "How do I get into the program?" Before answering that question, you need to understand exactly what you are getting yourself into. This is a serious program, one which is designed for students who want to pursue a career rooted in the study of visual arts. Careers like this include architecture, fashion, costume design, font design, photography, animation, illustration, and computer graphics. Having a visual arts education can be useful for jobs involving food, advertising, social media, therapy, furnishing, etc. If you think the career you want to pursue will have something to do with visual arts, then keep reading. If you are unsure, then that's okay. No one excepts you to make decisions about your future career when you are only in the eighth grade. If you are passionate about art and want to learn more about it, then this program is for you.
CFPA will help you achieve the following:
● Involvement in the local art community both inside and outside of Colgan
● Improvement and exploration of artistic skill and potential
● Exposure to and experience using a wide range of media and processes
● High passing score on Advanced Placement Studio Art exam
● Exploration of future options concerning art after graduation
● Prepare a diverse, quality art portfolio (necessary to get into highly competitive art colleges)
Commitment to Completion
Before you look into auditioning for CFPA, ask yourself, "Do I have what it takes?" If you think talent is enough, then think again.
The key qualities of a future CFPA graduate:
● Hard-working
If you don't have a good work ethic, then stop reading. Artwork is divided into five sections: craftsmanship, creativity, composition, technique, and content (artist statement). That is five separate grades. If you don't hand something in, then you'll get five zeroes. That is basically like getting graded on five tests that you never took. Trust me, your grade will not improve until you complete and turn in all of your assignments. You need to work hard to complete all assignments in order to maintain an acceptable grade in art class. If the overall grade in your art class is below an 80%, then you could eventually be disqualifed from the program.
● Committed
Commit to art as equally as you commit yourself to your academics, meaning don't treat CFPA like an elective or an extracurricular activity.
● Serious...kind of...
This program is not for light-hearted fun. It is for the expansion of artistic experience and skill. However, after four years, I came to the conclusion that no one can take this program seriously 100% of the time. Just take this program as seriously as you have to in order to succeed. I encourage you to make friends in your art classes. I personally believe being in in a CFPA class increases your likelihood of making friends because you'll be in a class full of students who are just as passionate about art as you. Having friends helps as long as you don't let them prevent you from completing your work on time. By the way, CFPA does offer cool field trips and some interesting master classes.
● Desire to learn
...the seven elements of art, eight principles of design, color theory, non-objective art, impressionism, printmaking, etc. Don't ever hesitate to ask questions. Communicate with the art teachers. I promise they don't bite. Make sure you always know what you're doing before you do it. Ask your classmates and teachers for feedback and opinions about your art and ideas. The more you learn about art, the more you will be able to give yourself feedback and the better you will become at giving feedback to others about their art.
● Creative
Creativity is one of the graded components for every artwork. It's also a talent, not a skill. Creativity is truly not something that can be taught. You might struggle if you severely lack creativity; however, I had an artistically uncreative friend who completed CFPA, so anything is possible.
● Artistically talented in multiple media
That means your talent is not limited to a single material such as pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, clay, etc. You will be taught and graded on your ability to work with a wide range of media. Don't worry though. You do not need to be good at everything. For example, I am still bad at using watercolors. If you are talented with a pencil, another dry medium (such as colored pencils, oil/chalk pastels, paper collage), and a wet medium (such as water colors, oil/acrylic paints, markers, pens, ink, etc.), then you should be able to learn how to use other media as you go.
Being skilled in a 3D medium would also be good. Showing potential in both dimensions shows artistic diversity. However, the in-class art projects and other assignments are usually 2D. For those who love 3D media, there is a regular art class and an AP class dedicated to 3D media.
● Fast (not slow & no perfectionism)
This just means that if you are very slow at producing art, you will struggle...like me. Don't ever try to be perfect. You'll never make it through an AP art class if you are a perfectionist...Actually, I lied. I got a 5/5 on my AP art exam, but I also only got under 4 hours of sleep 5/7 days of the week.
If you are interested in learning more about the CFPA program and how to audition, please see the links below.
Fun fact: In CFPA, we have to say that our CFPA concentration is visual arts. Why can't you just say art or the fine arts? Music is music, acting is acting, dancing is dancing, writing is writing, and art is art, right? You are right, but after someone finds out that you're in CFPA, then that person will usually ask, "What concentration?"
If you say, "Art," then they'll say, "Yeah, but what concentration?"
Art refers to band, orchestra, piano, music technology, chorus, theatre, dance, creative writing, and visual art, making it the umbrella term for all concentrations. Performing arts is the umbrella term for music, theatre, and dance. Music includes band, orchestra, piano, music technology, and chorus. Fine arts is the term for the only two concentrations which focus entirely on creation: creative writing and visual arts.
The Program's Purpose
I know you are asking: "How do I get into the program?" Before answering that question, you need to understand exactly what you are getting yourself into. This is a serious program, one which is designed for students who want to pursue a career rooted in the study of visual arts. Careers like this include architecture, fashion, costume design, font design, photography, animation, illustration, and computer graphics. Having a visual arts education can be useful for jobs involving food, advertising, social media, therapy, furnishing, etc. If you think the career you want to pursue will have something to do with visual arts, then keep reading. If you are unsure, then that's okay. No one excepts you to make decisions about your future career when you are only in the eighth grade. If you are passionate about art and want to learn more about it, then this program is for you.
CFPA will help you achieve the following:
● Involvement in the local art community both inside and outside of Colgan
● Improvement and exploration of artistic skill and potential
● Exposure to and experience using a wide range of media and processes
● High passing score on Advanced Placement Studio Art exam
● Exploration of future options concerning art after graduation
● Prepare a diverse, quality art portfolio (necessary to get into highly competitive art colleges)
Commitment to Completion
Before you look into auditioning for CFPA, ask yourself, "Do I have what it takes?" If you think talent is enough, then think again.
The key qualities of a future CFPA graduate:
● Hard-working
If you don't have a good work ethic, then stop reading. Artwork is divided into five sections: craftsmanship, creativity, composition, technique, and content (artist statement). That is five separate grades. If you don't hand something in, then you'll get five zeroes. That is basically like getting graded on five tests that you never took. Trust me, your grade will not improve until you complete and turn in all of your assignments. You need to work hard to complete all assignments in order to maintain an acceptable grade in art class. If the overall grade in your art class is below an 80%, then you could eventually be disqualifed from the program.
● Committed
Commit to art as equally as you commit yourself to your academics, meaning don't treat CFPA like an elective or an extracurricular activity.
● Serious...kind of...
This program is not for light-hearted fun. It is for the expansion of artistic experience and skill. However, after four years, I came to the conclusion that no one can take this program seriously 100% of the time. Just take this program as seriously as you have to in order to succeed. I encourage you to make friends in your art classes. I personally believe being in in a CFPA class increases your likelihood of making friends because you'll be in a class full of students who are just as passionate about art as you. Having friends helps as long as you don't let them prevent you from completing your work on time. By the way, CFPA does offer cool field trips and some interesting master classes.
● Desire to learn
...the seven elements of art, eight principles of design, color theory, non-objective art, impressionism, printmaking, etc. Don't ever hesitate to ask questions. Communicate with the art teachers. I promise they don't bite. Make sure you always know what you're doing before you do it. Ask your classmates and teachers for feedback and opinions about your art and ideas. The more you learn about art, the more you will be able to give yourself feedback and the better you will become at giving feedback to others about their art.
● Creative
Creativity is one of the graded components for every artwork. It's also a talent, not a skill. Creativity is truly not something that can be taught. You might struggle if you severely lack creativity; however, I had an artistically uncreative friend who completed CFPA, so anything is possible.
● Artistically talented in multiple media
That means your talent is not limited to a single material such as pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, clay, etc. You will be taught and graded on your ability to work with a wide range of media. Don't worry though. You do not need to be good at everything. For example, I am still bad at using watercolors. If you are talented with a pencil, another dry medium (such as colored pencils, oil/chalk pastels, paper collage), and a wet medium (such as water colors, oil/acrylic paints, markers, pens, ink, etc.), then you should be able to learn how to use other media as you go.
Being skilled in a 3D medium would also be good. Showing potential in both dimensions shows artistic diversity. However, the in-class art projects and other assignments are usually 2D. For those who love 3D media, there is a regular art class and an AP class dedicated to 3D media.
● Fast (not slow & no perfectionism)
This just means that if you are very slow at producing art, you will struggle...like me. Don't ever try to be perfect. You'll never make it through an AP art class if you are a perfectionist...Actually, I lied. I got a 5/5 on my AP art exam, but I also only got under 4 hours of sleep 5/7 days of the week.
If you are interested in learning more about the CFPA program and how to audition, please see the links below.
