2018-2019 AP Summer Assignments

Summer Assignments:

All assignments can be done in any medium, technique and style you desire but should be entirely original (do not use other people’s pictures, characters, or content in any way) and fit the AP Test you are planning on taking (Drawing, 2D, or 3D).  Part I and II should be shared before August 1 if you want feedback and Part III can be shared when school begins.

Part I: Breadth Assignments:

These assignments will be critiqued during the first weeks of classes and later graded. You can share them with me via social media over the summer for feedback twitter/instagram to @timneedles with #NeedlesClass or email tneedles@smithtown.k12.ny.us.

1. A Mixed-Media Portrait – Create a portrait using various media in monochrome or in color. Feel free to use any medium you desire (ink, collage, newspaper, paint, & other mixed media) and as many media as you like. The style may be handled in any way you wish: realistic, abstract, expressive, impressionistic or cubistic, etc. This portrait should reveal something significant about the model. Hands, torso and face are important features and should be included in the work. Try an unusual surface. The portrait may be done on any flat smooth unbreakable surface such as cardboard, mural paper, plywood, masonite, plexiglass, homasote board, etc.

2. Mise En Scene- Read the definition below and create a work that has a theme of mise en scene in some way. 

[mee zahn sen] noun French. 1. the process of setting a stage, with regard to placement of actors, scenery, properties, etc. 2. the stage setting or scenery of a play 3. surroundings; environment.

3. Man vs. Nature- Create a work showing the contrast between man vs nature. This can be through a narrow or wide lens and it can be literal or figurative. Try to stay away from the cliché imagery and find a unique, personal take on a very ancient theme.

4. Inspiration- Take a look at this list of 100 Artists from Art 21, choose any artist and create a piece responding to (not copying or in their style) their work. The list includes everyone from artist who use traditional media such as: Cindy Sherman and Richard Serra to artist like: Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramović, and Laurie Anderson who do performance pieces. Video clips are available for each artist on the website so do a bit of research, find something in one of the artists that you connect to and create a piece on it.  Make sure you include the artists name who the inspiration came from on the back.

5: A Day In Your Life - Choose a moment from your everyday life and express it visually using any media. This can be a moment that’s memorable or very average, reoccurring or just a moment you remember. Try to use media that helps illustrate the moment and think about your perspective vs. others when creating the imagery.

Part II: Choice Assignments:

Create a series of 65 works (about 1 piece a day during the summer).  Feel free to experiment creatively and use different media, the subject matter is also your choice but I'd suggest that you both work from life and you imagination.  If you get stuck and are at a loss for what to do I suggest using creative promts such as my own #TERPart or some of my favorites like JJCommunity for photography and Illustration Friday for drawing or #31nights which can work for anything!

If you use a sketchbook that would mean 65 pages or if it's photography that would mean 65 images. This work shows process so not every piece would be totally completed but rather a resource to pull from for ideas and creative experiments in the future.

Part III: Shanti Peace Poster Contest

Create a 8"x10' horizontal poster design for the Shanti Peace Poster Contest, the theme this year is GANDHI you are free to use quotes if you wish but make sure the work is original. There is now a winner and a cash prize for each grade level, here's a link to the some winning Smithtown designs from past year's: 2011 Peace Poster