In school, everyone talks about their hardest classes of the day. Many complain about tests and homework, but often the most important classes for people are the easier ones. Those can often be the most meaningful and fulfilling classes.
This is the case for senior Addison Zint, who takes AP (Advanced Placement) Art and Design. Not only does she get to create a personal project that she can develop throughout the school year, but she also gets to teach lower-level art students by sharing her experiences.
“The class is day-to-day fun,” Addison said. “It’s so chill and relaxing; a lot of the time, we get to help out the level one or two [students] and teach them the things we have learned. I get to help teach people how to throw on the wheel [and] techniques on how to slip and score, and I can give them my insight while also giving them room to be creative because it’s their art, too.”
Addison has loved art for most of her life, even though she isn’t the best at drawing and painting, which she doesn’t enjoy as much as other forms of art. So, she began looking for creative, artistic outlets beyond drawing. That’s how she found her passion for clay and sculpture.
“I’ve taken one drawing class, but that hasn’t [built up] enough expertise,” Addison said. “Whereas I’ve been doing [clay] for four years, so I know I have the knowledge to be able to do it and do it well, and now it kind of comes naturally to me.”
With this expanding knowledge, Addison decided to have her whole AP Art project made with clay. Now all she needed was an idea to connect all the art pieces under a common theme. That’s when she thought back to the summer camp that changed her life.
“Over the summer, my faith grew when I got connected with a new church,” Addison said. “Also, I went to a summer camp called Holy Ground up on Lake Louise, Michigan for a week. It was a last-minute decision, and it was the best decision of my summer. It was amazing to meet people who were not going to judge me for my beliefs because they were also there to grow in their faith. It was fun and a nice step back from reality for a little while.”
This directly inspired her project for the year.
“I focus on how I see the Bible [in my art project],” Addison said. “So far, I’ve made Jesus’s hand holding a baby’s hand, a big wave with a path in the middle, and lots of bowls with [written] stories on the outside. I plan to do more.”
Now, by creating this intricate, personal project, she can reflect on her summer experiences, deepen her connection to her faith, and learn more about herself in the process. Even though the process of completing her project can seem daunting and monotonous because of all the planning involved, she enjoys every aspect of the class, even the parts that require outlining outside of school.
“[At home], I like to think about ideas of how best to go about things,” Addison said, “and just the understanding of why I’m making what I’m making and what it means to me. I wouldn’t say much of actual [sculpting] goes on at home because I don’t have the supplies, but there’s lots of brainstorming that goes on at home.”
Not only has Addison grown deeper in her faith through this course, but she has also learned healthy study habits by gaining stronger time management skills. Therefore, she recommends the class to anyone interested in art.
“Time management [skills] are a big thing I’ve learned while taking this class,” Addison said. “[I’ve realized] how much it really does impact how you study because you learn how to study for 20 minutes and then take a break and not think about [homework] for a little bit before coming back to it instead of going to procrastination station. This is helpful, especially since I’m going into college next year. Learning these skills now, with [a subject] that doesn’t feel like homework, is a gift [AP Art and Design] has given me.”
