AP Studio Art Benchmark,2nd Quarter (200

points):
DUE: Friday, January 16 2015
NAME: _________________________________
PART 1: Breadth/Concentration Portfolio: (100 points)
1. Complete 5 of the breadth assignments to Portfolio quality from this
quarter.
2. Complete 5 of the concentration assignments to Portfolio quality from
this quarter.
Look back at all of the work you have completed in the first quarter and pick
the 10 most successful pieces. You will present them for critique in a
Portfolio Ready state:
- Complete, no sketches, shading is at an AP level, no empty
backgrounds, no smudges, no torn or crumpled paper. (LAY
ARTWORK FLATLY!) (Photo students will make a list of their 10
best pieces with detailed descriptions these MUST be uploaded
to your blogs for consideration)
- Review rubrics and grades that I have returned to you and make
adjustments based on the feedback. Make adjustments based on
the feedback of your peers.
- Stored in a portfolio.
- If you want a piece to be re-graded, include the original rubric/self
evaluation for these.
- DO NOT include works from your 1st quarter benchmark. If you
want me to photograph something that you have finished from 1st
quarter, bring it to me separately.
PART 2: Breadth/Concentration Artist Statement (typed). (50 points)

For 2nd quarter, you are to revise your existing artist statement
(or create a new one if you didnt do one or were unhappy
with yours) to include discussion of works from your breadth and
concentration.

How to write an artist statement for AP

Studio Art:
Your artist's statement can be a moving testament to your creativity

and integrity. The expression of this commitment will vary, but the
effectiveness of your artist's statement stems from the authority with
which you write it.

WRITING YOUR ARTIST'S STATEMENT

You'll need pencil and paper, a dictionary, and a thesaurus.

STEP ONE (Pre-writing turned in with typed

statement):
1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do. How
did you get into this work? How do you feel when work is going well?
What are your favorite things about your work? Jot down short
phrases that capture your thoughts. Don't worry about making sense
or connections.
2. Make a list of words and phrases that communicate your feelings
about your work and your values. Include words you like, words that
make you feel good, words that communicate your values or
fascinations. Be loose. Be happy. Be real.
3. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Your answers are the
meat and potatoes of your stew. Let them be raw and uncut for now.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What is your favorite tool? Why?

What is your favorite material? Why?
What do you like best about what you do?
What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out
really well?
What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the
way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or
light?
What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why?

6. Write five sentences that tell the truth about your connection to
your work. If you are stuck, start by filling in the blanks below.
When I work with__________ I am reminded that___________.
I begin a piece by______________.
I know a piece is done when__________________.
When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of

_____________.
When people see my work, I'd like them to ________________.

STEP TWO: Artist Statement (typed).

Write a three paragraph artist's statement. Keep your sentences
authentic and direct. Use the present tense ("I am," not "I was," "I
do," not "I did.") Be brave: say nice things about yourself.. Refer to
yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my." Use the suggestions below to
structure your statement. Write six to eight sentences per paragraph.
First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the
work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about
your goals and aspirations.
Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the
course of your work. How and why do you select materials,
techniques, themes? Keep it simple and tell the truth.
Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current
work. How it grew out of prior work or life experiences. What are you
exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.
At its best, an artist's statement reads easily, is informative, and adds
to your understanding of the artist and the painting. At its worse, an
artist's statement is difficult to understand or rambles on, is
pretentious, and irritates rather than informs (or, even, provokes
laughter).
What Should an Artist's Statement Say? An artist's statement
should be an explanation of your painting style and subjects or
themes. Add a bit about your approach or philosophy if you wish.
Consider mentioning which artists (living and dead) have influenced or
inspired you.
Help, I Find It Impossible to Describe My Work in Words! It
can often be difficult to explain something visual in words and after
all, you're an artist not a writer! But, as with making art, practice
makes it easier and perseverance is essential. You're unlikely to
produce a polished artist's statement the first time you try, so be

prepared to rework it several times.

Think about how you would describe your work to someone who didn't
know you, what other people have said about your work, what you are
aiming to achieve in your paintings, your outlook on life. Ask a friend
for comments on what you've written (but pick someone you know will
give you an honest answer, this is no time for "that's lovely"
comments). Write your artist's statement in first person ("I work ..."),
not third person ("Mary works ...").
Can an Artist's Statement Change? Certainly, because you and
your work will change.
PART III:
Mid Term Self Evaluation (Breadth and Concentration) (50 points):
AP STUDIO: SELF EVALUTATION
NAME: _______________________________
Breadth: These artworks should demonstrate a variety of approaches to
subject matter, media within each drawing, 2d design, or 3d design
portfolio
Breadth critique: These works should show a variety of approaches to art
making and to subject matter. This particular series of works show:
___ little variety, repetitive
___ some variety, somewhat repetitive
___ good variety - little repetition
___ wide variety- shows a broad range of approach to subject matter and
materials
How original or unique are these pieces?
___ common
___somewhat original ___ original

___highly original

How skillful and consistent are the techniques shown in this work?
___ somewhat skillful/inconsistent
___ skillful/ some inconsistencies
___ highly skillful/consistent
What are the strongest pieces/skills at this time? Why?

What pieces should be replaced or modified before the AP Exam? Why?

Suggestions for new ideas for work: What ideas have you started to develop in your work
and/or sketchbook over the course of this quarter?

Concentration: The Concentration section of the final portfolio shows the

student's in-depth planned investigation to an idea in art that is personally
fascinating. Your mastery of design and/or drawing skills should be
apparent in the composition, concept, and execution of your works,
whether they are simple or complex.
Concentration critique: These works should show a cohesiveness of
approaches to art making and to subject matter. This particular series of
works show:
___ little cohesiveness, scattered in concept and technique.
___ some cohesiveness, somewhat scattered.
___ good cohesiveness the work has similar concepts/approaches, with
some deviations.
___ excellent cohesiveness- the series gels well together and shows growth
and development.
How original or unique are these pieces?
___ common
___somewhat original ___ original

___highly original

How skillful and consistent are the techniques shown in this work?
___ somewhat skillful/inconsistent
___ skillful/ some inconsistencies
___ highly skillful/consistent

What is your artistic goal? Discuss the theme, subjec t,

you wish to accomplish.

Where or from whom did you get your inspiration?

and/or media exploration