Change has been in the air this year in the art room at Brook Hill!

With the arrival of new art teacher Tina Nivens at the helm, there has been quite a restructuring in the art curriculum. AP Studio Art courses have been added this year and the upper school curriculum has been adjusted in order for students to prepare to that end.  Art I: Foundations is now a prerequisite for all the other high school art courses. This insures a strong overview to design as well as a solid opportunity to gain experience in a broad base of media. Also, the kiln has been fired up and ceramics introduced starting at the 6th grade level in order to give an early start for those hoping to specialize in the new 3D class later in high school.

We have already begun to see positive results due to the restructured program. The students have been ramping up their efforts and output to meet the new challenges. The first fruits of these changes came in the form of a first place District TAPPS win for the school and the advancement of 27 entries to Waco for the state TAPPS Art Meet in early April, where the team finished third.

Also, this spring brought Brook Hills’ very first AP Student Art Exhibition on Thursday, May 1 in the foyer of the American Freedom Museum. The exhibition consisted of live music, food and an opportunity to meet and visit with this year’s AP artists. “It was truly a blessing to watch students share something so personal with their families, friends, and peers,” said Mrs. Nivens. The exhibit displayed each student’s entire portfolio that consisted of a minimum of 24 works of art. The students submitted their portfolios the following week for college credit to the College Board. The AP Student Art Exhibition is an experience, “we hope becomes an annual tradition here at Brook Hill.”

Mrs. Nivens also has high hopes to continue to step up the quality of the program with the addition of 2 new pottery wheels and 4 new Mac computers this fall.  This would allow her to expand the program and better prepare BH students for college level art classes. “I believe by placing Christians in the art industry we can impact the culture for Christ,” Mrs. Nivens said. She also stated that she is praying for donors who” believe” in this philosophy to help make this a reality for Brook Hill art students.

All these changes in the art program are being made in an effort to truly give our students who want to follow their passion and giftedness in the study of art and design every advantage in their post-graduation studies.

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