Gallery • 5 Photos

Drawing by Hannah Merrill

Like most talents, art takes technique, effort, investment, creativity, and the love for creating a masterpiece with only a pencil and paper.  Those who don’t share that love may not see the underlying purpose to why some people are drawn into art. A pencil and paper, however, is not the only artistic expression found at Air Academy High School; we offer a variety of Art classes including Digital Photography, Art I and II, Computer Animation, Dance, Theatre, Ceramics, and Computer Graphic Design. Interviews from students and Art Department teachers help us take a look into the lives of the aspiring artists.

“I love the aspect of creativity and helping students reach a level of visual communication they’ve never reached before,” says Andrew Porter, one of AAHS’ Art department teacher (AP Studio Art, Art I and II, Drawing and Design, Honors Portfolio Studio, and Digital Photography I).  Mr. Porter sees potential in every student he works with; the difference between an aspiring artist and an average artist is the effort they are willing to put in.

Hannah Merrill, current senior at AAHS, has grown up with a pencil in her hand.  Art is her main way to express herself and her thoughts.  Throughout the years, her technique has evolved into cartoon, realistic portraits, paintings, and pen-work, each detail portraying a hidden significance to her life.  Once she graduates, Hannah is determined to carry out her love for art in a future career as a Tattoo Artist.

Many of Air Academy’s students are applying to various art colleges including Brendan Boyle, Marshall Leming, Devon Collins, and Tori Lopez.  Each, however, are looking into different areas of art, such as design.  Other students are still enjoying their experience in Air Academy’s art programs.  Tali Valentine, sophomore at AAHS, started her interest in art by growing up with her artistic mother.  She loved having drawing and painting contests with her mother as a child; “The ability to create anything you want from nothing, there’s just so much freedom in it,” says Tali.

Digital Photography is another expression of art. Students at Air Academy are offered Digital Photography 1 and Digital Photography 2.  Even as students learn the basics of how to use a camera, they can portray a story in their photos or trigger an emotion when you look at the picture.  Each type of photography, landscape, portraiture, and macro, can express a view on nature or an object that is unique to the person taking it; like paintings, no two photos are the same, whether it is of the same subject.  Every photographer takes a different approach and creativity to the subject at hand.  This is what makes a photographer so individual and special.  Bella Solano and Kaeli Olson’s pictures have been specially chosen as some of Mr. Porter’s favorites to be displayed in cases around the school.  Check them out and see the potential and talent these students hold.