Senior Project Course '16: HeartStrings

Description of the Course

      This unique portfolio course is the only one of its kind in the U.S. as far as I know. It is similar to an AP art course in some aspects, but with much stricter guidelines. The class is offered by the Art Institute of Mill Street Loft (trying not to sound too advertise-y here), and instructed by Todd Poteet.  There is room for only 8 Seniors each year.  Survivors of the course finish with 12 high quality portfolio pieces, large scholarship offers from colleges,  a weighty recommendation letter from Todd, a gallery showing, and experience in dealing with college level art classes.  

     In order to enter the course, I was  interviewed by Todd (who does not necessarily evaluate students solely on skill, but overall determination, motivation, ability etc) and had to present a theme in which I decided to create my 12 pieces.  My parents and I signed a contract which clearly spelled out the requirements and expectations of the course: ultimately signing away 13 weeks of my life.  
    
    This class covers 13 weeks. There are 12 weeks to created 12 projects, with an extra week at the end to finish adjustments. At the end of the course, at least 8 pieces must be personally hung in professional gallery style.


Guidelines: 

• These 12 projects all have to fit within a declared theme. 
• Sketches for the pieces have to be approved before beginning work. 
• A minimum of 30 hours of work have to go into each piece.  
• Periodical updates and 'work in progress' photos have to be posted to a Facebook group page for critiques and advice from Todd & the rest of the group.

Weekly Requirements:    

1. Create & finish entirely new work of art.
2. Revise previous week's work, based on class critique.
3. Have sketches approved for next week's work & take necessary reference photos.

Demerit system:

• Late to class (even just 1 minute) = 3 demerits
• Not personally being on time to class
• Not having current work on time
• Not having revised previous week's work on time
• Unfinished work, or not to highest personal standard = 1 demerit
• Failing to prove, or exhibit 30 hr minimum of work = 1 demerit

 **3 demerits = expelled. 

(There is very little leniency for showing up late: accidents, sickness, too much homework etc. NO EXCUSES)

    Classmates have the option to vote on demerits in extreme circumstances. They also have the ability to vote demerits on each other.    

     I understand this all sounds like unreasonable torture, and perhaps for a non-artist, it certainly would be.  However, this course teaches the critical skills of time management, adaptability, communication, and giving & receiving honest (and hopefully constructive) criticism.       

     I grew close with my classmates under the stressful circumstances and we all learned from each other's techniques and strengths. We also learned from each other's mistakes and weaknesses.  We pushed each other forward and held each other up to our best standards. We quickly learned that lying with good intentions about the quality each other's work would not truly help us reach our full potential.  Honest evaluations of work led us to create our best works of art. During the last few weeks of the project, some of the remaining classmates and I would have up to 12 hour long Skype sessions as we worked on our pieces - sometimes until 5 am.  We sacrificed so much together in order to push our abilities above and beyond the rest of our year's graduating class around the nation. We gave up the stereotypical image of the Senior year of relaxation.  We gave up parties and hanging out with friends.  We gave up SLEEP.  We encouraged each other when we reached our breaking points and just about gave up.  My classmates also endured my 4 am  slap happy moments of non-stop laughter, and random bursts of singing.   

    

     Ultimately, I completed this grueling course with 12 successful portfolio paintings - which have led to a total of over $330,000 in scholarships offers from various colleges.  The knowledge and experience I have gained in technical skills, time management, and determination is worth so much more.       

     I don't know if I could repeat this course (although honestly, any art major will be 10x worse), but I can honestly say that the decision to take this class has transformed my artistic abilities and the opportunities for my future.