This past Friday, friends and families gathered at Studio 123 in Downtown Apex to highlight all the amazing work AP Art seniors have created this semester. Visitors got to witness the talent that lies behind the art program at Apex High School. Each wall was full of stories and details that left jaws dropping. From worlds away from reality, personal memories, glimpses of the natural world, and digital works of art, these seniors have showed us what it is like to find new ways to express and comprehend one’s surroundings. Take a look at all these beautifully created masterpieces.
EMMA DUDDING
I went to Holly Springs for two years and Apex for the past two years. It has been so fun getting to know the ladies in the phenomenal arts program this year, and I am going to miss them dearly. I am going to UNCW next year, and I will be majoring in biology as a pre-med. I love art, but it stresses me out. I turn into such an annoying person whenever I completely immerse myself in art like I did in this class. I feel like I accomplished and learned some really good things in this class I will be forever grateful for the support and challenge Mrs. Rossi and the ladies in this class gave me. When I started drawing in middle school, I completely boycotted color and emulated other artists in thick black pen (not good). Because of this class, I learned how to incorporate colors and textures that bring out lots of great things in art to turn anything you can imagine into something even brighter! Or just quit. Do not even start in the first place. You will stay up past midnight trying to turn in assignments on time.
NICOLE CONRAD
I am nicole conrad, and i am a digital artist. I was first introduced to digital art by a good friend and classmate towards the end of freshman year. I have been addicted to it ever since. It has been quite the journey to get where i am today. I am still progressing daily and have much to learn. i will be attending unc charlotte for illustration in the fall. i have many goals for the future which all in some way, shape, or form have something to do with art.
Taylor Williams
Ever since elementary School i loved to create worlds away from reality. i love how art takes people on a journey to places you have never been, and i love how it stirs you emotions and makes you feel alive. Through my art, people can immerse themselves within my alternate reality and see that little details that i put into my work as an artist. Next year I will be attending NC state for fashion and textile design. my favorite color is green and my favorite piece is "pumpkin's car ride' because it is very important to me personally.
Emily "Scott" Peterson
Art is not math;that is why I like art. It is likely the reason most of my math books are covered in doodles. Magenta has forced its way into becoming my favorite color because somehow it makes its way into all of my pieces. My favorite piece is my point shoe piece because I took so much time on the details. I am happy that, even though it is monochromatic, it does not look like one big pink blob. I will be attending NC State this coming school year to study fashion design in the College of textiles with a double major in business. Expect more dance and designs from me.
Leila demarchi
Hiya, I suck at introductions. I do art. sometimes it is good, sometimes it is messy, bright, loud, dark, meaningful, meaningless, and much more. This is because it is art, and it is unpredictable and can be anything you want it to be. That is why i like it some much. I am going to Ringling College of Art and design in the fall for a game art major. I will learn how to sculpt, model, animate, design, and o just about everything else under the sun that goes into video games. hopefully you like my little story about a guy finding where he belongs (my concentration). Enjoy!
Morgan Smith
hello! my name is morgan elizabeth smith. I never thought i would ever be here-I assumed i would die of exhaustion from drawing every second of every day-but I am here, alive, and well. Two years ago if you told me I was going to be in ap art i would not have believed you. it was only when i was in drafting class that something clicked in my mind. Ever since then it has been non-stop drawing and art. Now, I am known for dropping colored pencils everywhere i go and constantly having graphite on my hands. I am also known for making very realistic drawings and paintings. my favorite piece that i have done is the colored pencil picture of my sister's eye. this was my second color pencil piece that i did, and the time and effort really paid off. i will be taking a year off to teach myself different things that i did not or cannot learn at school. i think it will be a great way to explore and find what i really want to do. If i were to go to college i would want to go to the Columbus college of art and design.
Haley berar
ever cine i was a little kid i have loved to draw and create new things. the idea of creating something that was not there before, that would not have otherwise existed, has always appealed to me. I have been drawing seriously since middle school, and i was never able to put the pencil down. this year i have been able to truly see how much the people i have met and place i have been impact me through my concentration and everything else i have done. my favorite mediums are colored pencils and watercolor pencils, but i am always down to try new things. I will be going to NC State in the fall for business management., but i am still going to go for a round two with design. my favorite color is cyan, and my favorite piece is "whole heart." it reminds me of all the adventures i have been n and the amazing people i have met!
Tess wiegmann
I am Tess Wiegmann and I have been a proud part of the art program at apex during my entire high school career. I have witnessed incredible personal growth through the art classes i have taken apex. My art is heavily ins pried by the natural world, specifically plants, insects, humans, and personal memories and experiences. Other passions of mine that tend to appear in my artwork are travel, science, and animals. My love for science and the inspiration behind my concentration comes from my father who is an entomology professor. My family values artistic creativity and is incredibly supportive in my endeavors. Next year I am continuing my artistic career at NC State in the college of design. My favorite color is forest green, and my favorite work in my portfolio is Vespula vulgaris. This is the one where a wasp antennae are sprouting from the head of an irritated man.
sarah dunn
I have always believed that art is the best form of communication. Artists can easily express and reveal their stories, secrets, and emotions through their art, and viewers can effortlessly respond and relate to each piece. Throughout my short life, I have experienced my fair share of trials and tribulations. If it were not for my art, I am not sure where i would be. Through all the grey days, my art was the one thing that i could depend on to shed all the negative thoughts and emotions i bottle up inside my tiny self. I threw every single one of my emotions into my pieces, utilizing my paper and canvas as a diary. Art will always be a key part of my life. this is why i will be attending the Rhode Island school of design in the fall. This is where i will continue my storytelling.
DEBRENA BOOZE
I am not going to bluff. I did not plop out of my mother's womb as the next Rapheal, holding a pencil at the age of three months, believing i was destined to be an artist. Art will forever be embedded in my bone marrow, but this passion and this drive would have never ignited without this class. I will put a lick of my own tasty zestiness into every footstep i take to pursuing my dream-which is "not to starve to death"-but also be me. Being yourself is a cliche ting, crazy right? However, being yourself is what makes art a thing of wonder. To me, art is emotion. Art's a punch in the gut, a warm drip of chocolate, or possibly a glob of peanut butter stuck on the roof of your mouth. Now, all terrible metaphors aside, art should not be just art. It should be more than that, and my scheme for the years to come is to release myself. I want to make creations until the wrinkles in my brain melt. I will discover the its and bits of my mind, and i will probably end up exploring yours too!
emma lynch
I have been in the art program at Apex High school since freshman year. Ms. Rossi, our teacher, has played a large part in m continuing interest in art, while my grandmother and uncle inspire me daily. I am attending Appalachian state university next year for Creative writing. my favorite color is red and my favorite work is probably something in charcoal!
kearstyn brown
hey everyone, I am kearstyn brown. I am a part of teh ap 2d studio art design course at Apex high school. i began doing art in elementary school, and i have always though it was relaxing. I continued doing art throughout high school because it gave me a chance to express my creativity and challenge myself in many ways. i will be attending meredith college in the fall, and i will be majoring in child development. i will later get my masters in occupational therapy, specifically working with children who have special needs. My favorite color is purple and my favorite piece would have to be my oil painting of my grandparents.
Madeline Maier
over the last year, my art has been one of the few constants in my life. This class has helped me grown both as a person and an artist. It has taught me that art is not just about aesthetic value, while that factor is important, it is about finding new ways to express and comprehend one's surroundings. to me, my art is like my own little language. each piece means a great deal to me and reflects not only my life, but hose who helped contribute to my concentration. All in all, i am so proud of what i have done and cannot wait to continue my art career at Virginia commonwealth university in the fall.
Shelby Johnson
I am interested in art because it is expressive, colorful, and messy. in the end there is a beautiful result. i will be attending Wake tech. my favorite color is purple. my favorite piece I made is the giant iphone.
Nory De Hostos
The end of the year signals the end of the AP Art students, and I wish for their successful careers (And my own of course, still praying). I started this class with a huge doubt in myself being able to complete any projects with a good enough quality that I would be satisfied. I definitely was not known for doing anything realistic or anything that made a good composition. I at least had one thing going for me: my tendency to be as accurate as possible. This led me to finish my first and favorite breadth piece, the pokeball.
To take a peek at these pieces in person, visit Studio 123 in Downtown Apex. The show will be open until May 30.