Enter Your Art Into The 2026 Sandwich Fair!

Countdown to the 2026 Sandwich Fair!

Attention Newark HS Artists and recent graduates! Online entries close at midnight on August 28th, 2026. Mr. Blidy will help students register online and prepare your art during SRT! Just get a pass to stop by the art room during SRT within the first week of school!

What to Enter:
• Art I: Final Pencil Drawings, Ceramic Food, Room Perspective Drawings
• Drawing I and II: Ink Drawings, Mixed-Media Grid, Invented Environments, Dictionary Design Drawing, "My Theme" Drawing
• Ceramics I and II: Pinch Nesting Bowls, Coil Project, Animal-Boxes, Any Wheel Thrown Pottery, Clock Project, Teapots, Birdhouses, Keepsake Containers, etc
• Painting I and II: Watercolor Paintings, Acrylic Paintings
• AP ART: Select any artwork from your portfolio

If you've entered before, or prefer to enter on your own...
Here is the official guide book (scroll all the way down to the yellow page 93) (Look at page 93, and top left corner of p. 94):
--> Exhibitor's Guide: https://tinyurl.com/45tzrdf3

Here is the link to enter your work online (Opens July 13):
--> Blue Ribbon Online Entry Webpage: https://tinyurl.com/yc8zham5

Graduates want to enter as well, junior category goes to age 21!

"Remember, You Can Win A GRAND CHAMPION!!!!"

2026-2027 Agenda Book Design Contest

Congratulations to Colin Shields, Class of 2028, for winning the 2026–2027 Agenda Book Design Contest! Colin's design was selected from 18 submissions by the Computer Graphics class. His artwork will be featured on the front and back covers of next year's student agenda book. Way to go, Colin!

Ceramics II Spring 2026

The Ceramics II course builds upon the foundational skills learned in Ceramics I. Through project-based assignments, students are encouraged to develop a stronger personal voice in their artwork. Projects begin with open-ended prompts that students may choose to follow "as-is" or use as a launching point for their own ideas. This approach allows students to apply their technical knowledge while exploring individual interests, strengthening both their craftsmanship and artistic expression.

This gallery showcases a wide range of student work from the Spring 2026 semester, including wheel-thrown pottery, hand-built clocks, birdhouses, and sculptural forms. New projects introduced this year included ceramic figures and connected wheel-thrown constructions that challenged students to create larger and more complex vessels. Throughout the semester, students combined creativity, problem-solving, and technical skill to produce artwork that reflects their unique perspectives. Enjoy this very large gallery featuring over sixty works of art created by both Ceramics II classes!


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Drawing II: Personal Theme Drawing

For their final Drawing II project, students created an AP-style drawing centered on a personally selected theme. Beginning with a central concept, students identified and explored related subtopics, then developed a unified work of art based on one of those ideas using original reference materials.

Throughout the unit, students strengthened their skills in composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while learning to communicate complex concepts through visual art. This project encouraged both technical growth and creative problem-solving, providing valuable experience for students interested in pursuing AP Art and Design in the future.


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Art I Dream Room Project

The following gallery showcases the final drawing projects created by Art I students using two-point perspective. Two-point perspective is a drawing technique that allows artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.

Students were challenged to design and illustrate their own "dream room," filling the space with as many imaginative details as possible. Beginning with a basic room template, students personalized their designs by adding furniture, decorations, hobbies, interests, and unique architectural features. Many students went beyond the project requirements by creating additional rooms, staircases, lofts, second floors, basements, and other creative extensions. These optional additions demonstrate each student's creativity for developing the best possible design. The drawings were evaluated on perspective accuracy, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and originality. Great work, Art I!


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Congratulations, AP Studio Art!

Congratulations to the 2026 AP Studio Art Class at NCHS on an outstanding art show! The evening was a great opportunity to reflect on an incredible year of creativity, growth, and hard work. The artwork on display highlighted not only the individual voices and talents of each artist, but also the strength and creativity of the class as a whole.

A special touch to the event was a cake created by one of our Drawing II students — a thoughtful “passing of the torch” gesture that symbolized the next generation of artists continuing the tradition.

I’m incredibly proud of everything this group has accomplished. Congratulations again to the entire class, and best wishes to our graduating seniors as they begin their next chapter!


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Congratulations to our 2026 Advanced Placement Art students

Congratulations to our 2026 Advanced Placement Art students — Emma Dierzen, Hannah Severson, Jacob Seyller, Evan Sittler, Sophia Solis, Kaden Stanford, Daniel Venegas, and Rylie Young — on completing their year-long portfolios for the AP Exam by the Friday deadline. This represents a tremendous accomplishment, requiring the creation of high-level artwork on a rigorous timeline in a course that began last summer.

To celebrate their achievements, the Art Department will host an open-house style art show featuring the students and the work they have produced throughout the year on Friday, May 15, from 5:30–7:00 PM in the gymnasium. Guests are welcome to arrive and stay as long as they wish.

Please note: This exhibition reflects authentic student artistic expression developed through the AP Art portfolio process. Some artwork may explore mature themes and may be best suited for viewers ages 14 and up.

2026 Art Student of the Semester

The Visual Arts Department is proud to recognize Wren Winner as Student of the Semester. Wren was nominated for her outstanding artistic achievement, creativity, and positive presence in the classroom. Her work in ink, colored pencil, and graphite consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating advanced technical skill, strong composition, and ambitious subject matter well beyond the high school level. Beyond her talent, Wren’s humor, energy, and contributions to classroom culture—from “Table Three” to the legendary “Purple Protest”—made her a standout member of the art program. Congratulations, Wren!

An Introduction to the Art of Perspective Drawing

During the spring semester, Art I students were introduced to two point perspective drawing as a way to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. Students applied mathematical concepts such as vanishing points, horizon lines, and guidelines lines to accurately construct space, proportions, and depth within their compositions. These skills connect directly to geometry and spatial reasoning, helping students understand how objects change in size and position as they recede into space.

Building on earlier shading techniques, students combined value, contrast, and form to strengthen the illusion of realism in their work. The selection of drawings shown below highlight strong attention to detail, and thoughtful use of perspective. Way to go, artists!


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Collaborative Relief Tile Mural

Ceramics Class – Spring 2025
Students in Art I used slab construction—flat pieces of clay—to create individual tiles based on a section of a larger image. Each student translated their assigned portion into a sculptural relief by carving away the background, a process often described as “drawing in clay.” These individual tiles were then assembled to reconstruct the full iguana image as a unified mural.

Relief sculpture is designed to be viewed from the front and exists in two primary forms: low relief (bas-relief), where forms project slightly from the surface, and high relief, where more than half of the form extends outward.

This project emphasizes 21st-century skills, including collaboration, visual communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Students worked both independently and collectively, ensuring their individual tiles aligned in scale, composition, and craftsmanship to contribute to a cohesive final piece.


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Drawing II: Dictionary Design Drawing

In Drawing II, students are challenged to create a cohesive artwork based on four words that share the same letter. This exercise encourages students to explore creative ways of combining different visual elements into a single piece of art. By focusing on a specific set of words, students are required to think outside the box and stretch their imagination to produce an artwork that tells a story or conveys a particular emotion or message.

Through this exercise, students practice their skills in composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while also developing their ability to convey complex ideas through visual art. This exercise serves as valuable practice for students pursuing AP Studio Art, where they will be challenged to produce a portfolio of artworks that demonstrates their mastery of various mediums and techniques.


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Art I Clay Food Sculpture

The following clay sculptures were created by first-year Art students, showcasing both creativity and technical skill. Throughout this unit, students explored how artists like Claes Oldenburg and Peter Anton have transformed everyday food into compelling works of art, examining the role of scale, texture, and visual impact in their pieces.

Inspired by these artists, Art I students designed and built their own food “sculptures” using clay. Students were assessed on their ability to use texture, demonstrate neatness while using proper handbuilding techniques. Art I students were also assessed on accuracy of color, use of color value to accent textures, color intensity to control brightness, originality, and overall presentation. Students created fantastic work, as you can see below!


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AP Studio - Portfolio Progress

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


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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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