Drawing II Invented Environments

The Invented Environments Project challenged our Drawing II students to design imaginative, original landscapes by thoughtfully combining three copyright-free images inspired by written prompts. As their first experience creating a drawing from a digitally collaged reference, they embraced the process with creativity and confidence. Using photo editing software, students carefully made compositions that demonstrated their understanding of "The Rule of Thirds" and "Focal Point" from Drawing I. They then transferred their work onto toned paper and brought their environments to life in colored pencil, skillfully rendering lighting, color relationships, and detail, to seamlessly unify their imagery. I’m incredibly proud of the growth, problem-solving, and artistic confidence they demonstrated throughout this project! Way to go, Drawing II!


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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

AP Studio Art Drawing Project #8 update. The finish line is in sight—just four more artworks to go before these talented artists complete their portfolios!


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Drawing II: Mixed Media Grid Drawing

In Drawing II, students were challenged to build a unified artwork using a wide range of materials. Working within a grid format, they explored graphite, colored pencil, ink, scratchboard, marker, watercolor, and acrylic paint—discovering how each medium brings its own voice and texture to an image.

This project strengthened students’ understanding of composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while pushing them to maintain visual cohesion across varied surfaces and styles. By translating a single image through multiple mediums, students developed both technical control and creative problem-solving skills.


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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

As AP Studio Art Drawing students move into their eighth portfolio piece, they’re building on the momentum of the first half of the course. With a stronger sense of direction and growing confidence, students are refining their ideas, taking creative risks, and making more intentional artistic choices. Their evolving craftsmanship and conceptual depth reflect a deeper engagement with both process and personal voice.


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2025-2026 Ceramics I Class

The Ceramics I Animal Box Project challenged students to build slab boxes with lids topped by realistic animal sculptures. The box sides illustrated each animal’s habitat through sculpted texture and form, informed by photo references, or plastic 3D models. Students finished their work with an antiquing paint technique to emphasize depth and natural detail. This project strengthened skills in sculpting, surface design, and color while encouraging thoughtful observation of animals and their environments, showcasing both creativity and craftsmanship of our student artists!


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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

Our AP Studio Art Drawing students continue to impress as they complete their sixth portfolio piece. Now officially halfway through the portfolio, students are finding their rhythm—adjusting to the pace of the course while pushing their creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s exciting to see their confidence grow as their ideas and craftsmanship continue to develop!


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Art I Final Graphite Drawings

The following pencil drawings are the end result of a unit by first-year art students. Many of these students explored shading for the first time, and with dedication and practice, they produced impressive work!

The class brought in their own photographic resources to work from, and utilizing the techniques they learned throughout the semester, they were able to contour draw and reproduce the highlights and shadows in their images. The end product is a collection of realistic drawings that showcase the progress and development of the students' new-found talent!


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2025 Art Student of the Semester

The Visual Arts Department is proud to recognize Jaxon Collins as Student of the Semester for his high standard of excellence through engagement, positive attitude, and quiet focus in the ceramics studio. His work shows exceptional precision, from his technically masterful nesting bowls to his ambitious current project—a realistic bison set among pine trees. Jaxon brings positivity, reliability, humor, and even great music to the classroom environment. His kindness is evident in the support he offers others, including helping our foreign exchange student feel welcomed. For his artistry, dedication, and determination—especially in persevering with the potter’s wheel—it is my honor to recognize him as Student of the Semester. Way to go, Jaxon!

AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

Our AP Studio Art Drawing students continue to push their creativity and craftsmanship... They’re now diving into their sixth portfolio artwork, exploring new concepts and refining their individual styles. Looking forward to sharing more of their work soon!


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2025-2026 Ceramics I Class

The gallery showcases the creations of first-year ceramics students, pinch projects, wheel thrown projects, and coil building works. These initial projects serve as the foundation for Ceramics II, where students can explore projects that reflect their own interests and artistic direction.


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AP Studio Art Drawing – Second Project Update

Our AP Studio Art Drawing students are making great progress on their portfolios! Each artist is developing their ideas and techniques as they move into their third and fourth portfolio pieces. Stay tuned for more updates!


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Drawing I Colored Pencil

Students in our Drawing I class recently wrapped up a unit focused on colored pencil techniques. As part of their exploration, they created detailed colored pencil drawings of apples on black paper, candy with foil wrappers on toned paper, and irises on illustration board. This project emphasized the art of layering, with students carefully building up multiple layers of colored pencil to achieve smooth blends and realistic tones inspired by resource photographs. The class’s hard work and attention to detail are evident in the examples below!


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Drawing I Ink Drawings

The first few weeks of Drawing I are all about ink drawing! Students explore the art of hatching and cross-hatching — using lines to build up value, contrast, and depth. It’s a great way to practice control and precision while learning how light and shadow bring drawings to life. Our artists have really taken to the challenge, turning simple lines into stunning, detailed works. Check out some of their amazing ink pieces below!


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Art Department Student of the Month

The NCHS Student of the Month program recognizes students who demonstrate strong character through their attitude, respect for others, dependability, hard work, and self-discipline. For October, the Art Department is proud to recognize sophomore Scarlett Hopkins for her positivity and dedication in Drawing class. Scarlett gives her best effort in every piece she creates, consistently going above and beyond expectations. She is a shining example of what it means to be an engaged and expressive student artist. Congratulations, Scarlett!

Congratulations to Ethan Stanford, Class of 2028!

Ethan’s design was selected by the NCHS Boosters as the winner of this year’s Spirit Wear Design Contest. His artwork will be featured on upcoming Newark Spirit Wear — keep an eye out for it soon! Way to go, Ethan!

AP Studio Art Drawing – First Projects of 2025–2026

Proud to showcase the very first works from the 2025–2026 AP Studio Art Drawing class! This year’s group is especially exciting, as it marks the largest AP Studio class ever offered at Newark Community High School, with 10 of our most skilled and dedicated art students participating. Over the course of the year, each student will create a series of 12 artworks centered around a theme of their choice, culminating in a finished portfolio.

Our students are already off to a strong start, exploring a wide range of creative directions, including: Baseball, A Year of Traveling, Psychological Horror, Uncommon Mythical/Folklore Creatures, Animals, Poems Visualized, Prehistory, Dementia, Growing Up, and Pets: A Personal History.

We invite you to check back throughout the year to see how these portfolios develop. And be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, May 15, 2026, when we will host our annual Evening Art Celebration—a showcase of their tremendous accomplishment.


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Art Students Bring Home Sandwich Fair Ribbons!

Congratulations to our talented NCHS artists who participated in the 137th Annual Sandwich Fair!

Each year, the Sandwich Fair Board invites junior artists to showcase their creativity, and our students rose to the challenge with submissions ranging from ink to graphite drawings and paintings.

Jacob Seyller earned a First Place Ribbon for his ink drawing “Johnny K’s”, Eastin McBroom received a First Place for his landscape pencil drawing, and Ashley Najera Zamora won First Place for her landscape oil painting.

In addition, students were awarded Third Place Premiums, including Evan Sittler for both a colored pencil drawing and an ink drawing, Jacey Johnson and Shawn Seyller for their graphite drawings.

Way to go, NCHS artists! A special thank you goes out to all who participated—your creativity and effort make our school shine. Don’t forget to enter your artwork in next year’s Sandwich Fair for another opportunity to share your talent and earn recognition!

Jacob Seyller, Class of 2026

Ashley Najera Zamora, Class of 2028

Eastin McBroom, Class of 2026

Shawn Seyller, Class of 2027

Jacey Johnson, Class of 2028

Evan Sittler, Class of 2027

Evan Sittler, Class of 2027

Sophia Solis, Class of 2026

Ashley Najera Zamora, Class of 2028

2025 Graduation Program Cover Design

Congratulations to Nora Berisha (Class of 2025) for creating the cover design for the 2025 Graduation Ceremony Program. Her graduation cover, featuring a dock stretching toward a glowing sunset, symbolizes each graduate's journey ahead. The dock invites students to step into the unknown with courage, while the sunset marks both an ending and a new beginning. Its warm tones inspire reflection on past growth, and the solitary path suggests the importance of individuality. The calm water and natural setting remind us that growth takes time and comes with quiet strength. Altogether, the image captures a hopeful, transitional moment filled with possibility. Way to go, Nora! Special thanks to Mrs. McCoy, Ms. Akre, and Mrs. Nuzzo for their efforts in ensuring the project's success!

Art I Dream Room Project

The following gallery showcases the final drawing projects of Art I students, who designed their dream room using two-point perspective. Two-point perspective is a technique that allows artists to depict three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface, incorporating mathematical concepts like lines, planes, angles, and similarity. This method helps artists understand visual space and connect mathematics with visual art. The drawings were evaluated on perspective accuracy, detail, neatness, and originality.
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Ceramics II Spring 2025

This gallery displays Ceramics II student's work, demonstrating their project-based skills acquired in Ceramics I. From clocks to plates and birdhouses, Ceramics II fosters creativity using this three-dimensional medium.


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Drawing II: "My Theme" Drawing

In Drawing II, students were challenged to create an Advanced Placement Prep drawing for their final project, creating cohesive artworks from original resources based on their chosen theme. This unit focused on developing a main topic and subtopics, where each piece reflected a subtopic of the overarching theme. Throughout this process, students advanced their composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while learning to express complex ideas visually. This exercise not only sharpened their artistic skills, but also prepared them for the demands of AP Studio Art.


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2025 Student of the Semester

The Visual Arts Department is proud to recognize Sophia Solis as Student of the Semester for her exceptional artistry, dedication, and creativity. Sophia is focused and positive, and draws daily in her sketchbook, even creating and gifting unique characters of her classmates—some of which are now displayed in the art room. Her strong skills in both realism and character design have resulted in multiple high-quality “Varsity” pieces and two spots in the inaugural Little Ten Art Show. Sophia’s commitment sets a high standard and inspires those around her. Way to go, Sophia!

An Introduction to the Art of Perspective Drawing

During the spring semester, Art I students were introduced to perspective drawing, a technique used to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. Students developed their skills through lessons on one and two-point perspective. Utilizing shading techniques learned in the first semester, they enhanced the three-dimensional effect, adding depth to their artwork.


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Painting II Album Covers

Students in Painting II recently completed a creative and personal project in which they designed and painted original album covers inspired by a song of their choice. The assignment challenged them to visually reimagine their selected song, incorporating painted imagery and handwritten or stylized lyrics into the final composition. In addition to exploring connections between music and visual art, students also integrated a Spotify song code below their artwork. This unique feature allows viewers to scan the code using the Spotify app and listen to the song that inspired the design, creating an interactive experience. The project encouraged students to think deeply about mood, symbolism, and visual storytelling while experimenting with painting techniques and composition.
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