“Every Artist was first an amateur,” said Ralph Waldow Emerson, a poet, and artist words that teach all those who have the desire to create something to go ahead and go for it. High school is a great time for aspiring artists to get a chance to try out their creative side. Many classes that teach skills and cut out a designated time for art are offered here at Fruita. Our art department features two art teachers, Nichole Sturrock and Tammie Widhammer. Sturrock teaches Art 1, drawing and painting and photography classes and AP Art History, while Widhammer works with 3D art with Ceramics, Mixed media, Ap Art studio and Art 1. Here is a breakdown of what each offers:

AP Art History:
Teacher: Nichole Sturrock
Room: 408
Criteria: Anyone- no background needed.
Overview:

-Art History is an AP class that is offered that does not require any prior art experience or credit. This class will not be a project-based class and rather is a dive into the history of art. This AP class that explores the difference between each artist, their work, the timeline, and a more in-depth understanding of art is a great class for anyone interested in art but not the physical creation of it. This class is a note-heavy class but is one that is taken by many students even those who do not take other art classes.

Art 1:
Teacher: Nichole Sturrock, Tammie Widhammer, Johnson (8/9)
Rooms: 408
Criteria: Anyone- no background needed.

Overview:
Art one offers the basics . Students will learn about the color wheel, elements, principles, techniques and more. This class also teaches students the importance of using a reference photo and copyright laws. With projects including a mix of paint mediums, pencils, colored pencils, clay, etc. all incorporated to help students understand how to create the things they imagine. This class along with the other art classes is project-based and can be a great opportunity for students to learn the first steps of creating art.

Draw and Paint 1 and 2:
Teacher: Nichole Sturrock
Room: 408
Criteria: Art 1 background- for Draw and paint 2 students must take Draw and Paint 1.

Overview:

Draw and paint 1 and 2 are upper-level art classes that are offered after students take Art 1 either with Sturrock, Widhammer or at the 8/9 with Johnson. Draw and Paint is a further expansion of learning the techniques, elements, and principles of art but with more freedom in each. Projects that include watercolor, charcoal portraits, colored pencil surrealism and landscapes are offered in Draw and paint 1. Projects like oil painting, pen, and ink and oil pastels are offered in Draw and paint 2. To take Draw and Paint 2, a student must take Draw and Paint 1. But these dual classes are a great opportunity for students who are interested in the 2D side of art.

Photography 1 and 2:
Teacher: Tamie Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Art 1 background- for Photography 2 students must take Photography 1.
Students also must be able to bring cameras of their own (phone cameras not accepted.)

Overview:

Photography is an upper-level art class that is offered to students who have taken an Art 1 credit and are interested in learning more about how to take photos. Projects will take students through editing techniques, elements of photography and techniques of getting a photo using criteria. For students to take Photography 2 students must take Photography 1 and beforehand take art 1. This class duo is a good opportunity for students who are interested in learning the techniques, principles and elements of photography..

Ceramics 1 and 2:
Teacher: Tammie Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Art 1 background- for Ceramics 2 students must take Ceramics 1.

Overview:
Ceramics is an upper-level art class that is offered to students who have taken an art 1 credit and are not interested in the 3D side of art. Projects will help students with the elements, principles, and basics of the clay medium. Projects will let students learn how to score, set and create a mixture of different types of ceramic projects- not just clay bowls. For students to take Ceramics 2 a student must take Ceramics 1 and beforehand take art 1. This 3D class will allow students who are interested in the physical creation of clay art to learn the skills to do so. Ceramics is a very hands-on class that is great for anyone interested in this form of art or broadening their artistic horizons.

Mixed Media:
Teacher: Tammie Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Art 1 background

Overview:
Mixed media is an upper-level art class that students can take after taking an art 1 credit. Mixed media takes a mixture of 2D, 3D, and a mix of other materials to create an artwork. Projects include using recycled materials mixed with paint to projects that incorporate the understanding of mixing different materials and styles to make a coherent and cohesive piece. This is a great class if students want to expand their styles and expand to 3D or 2D without making it the focus.

Upper-level art classes:

Ap Art Studio:
Teacher: Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Art 1 credit + two upper-level classes and the student must go through the application process (For more information contact Tammie Widhammer.)

Overview:
Any “2” class is an art class that requires art 1 and the classes part “1” class and is considered an upper-level class, after taking a mixture of two or more of these classes if a student is interested in AP art studio is offered- through AP art studio is a studio based class that is recommended for students who are very invested in their work and fit criteria. Students interested should go talk to Widhammer.
Fruita also offers Art related clubs.

Art Club:
Teacher: Sturrock
Room: 408
Criteria: Anyone is welcome!
At lunch Thursdays and sometimes after school.
Overview:
This club offers a mixture of different art projects surrounded by a community of people who have the same interests in art as you with projects from painting, group work and teaching the teachers how to paint Christmas gifts. This club is run by students and art teacher, Sturrock. This club will offer a place to learn about art without taking a class and is open to anybody who is interested. This club is also great for students taking art classes who want to continue their education. If a student is interested in this club, know there are no criteria.how up when you can. This environment allows for creativity to have a place outside of the classroom.

Fashion Club:
Teacher: Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Anyone is welcome!
After school and sometimes at lunch.

Overview:
A fashion club is a great way for students who are interested in fashion or even art, in general, to be able to be a part of a community that is also interested in fashion and art. This club is offered to any students and is run by students and Widhammer. This club creates projects after school about twice a month and is fairly new to Fruita. So far, the club has made homemade jewelry with a mix of supplies that students bring and plans to do a thrift uplift night! If a student is interested in this club, know that there are no criteria. Show up when you can, and this environment allows for students to be involved outside of school.
Upper-level art clubs:

National Art Honors Society:
Teacher: Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Students must be asked to join or fit certain criteria (For more information contact Tammie Widhammer.)

Overview:
National Art Honors Society is much like the National Honors Society meaning it is an upper-level group for students who are very interested and invested in art. If anyone is interested in this project please contact Tammie Widhammer.

Communal Art Project:
Teacher: Widhammer
Room: 407
Criteria: Students must be asked to join or fit certain criteria (For more information contact Tammie Widhammer.)

Overview:

The communal art project is a project put on by the high school with a select group of students who show the art department off around town by creating one art piece together. If anyone is interested in this project please contact Tammie Widhammer.

Fruita also offers other art-based classes that are not just physical arts like ceramics, art 1, drawing, painting, etc. Classes such as Creative writing, Advanced creative writing, Journalism, Yearbook, and Newspaper- are all writing-based art classes that also include things like photography skills and so on. Sturrock explains her thoughts on the benefits of taking an art class stating, “Its project base and full of problem-solving. With the voice that you get, it can be a good place to express yourself- all things that you will learn in life. It is also a way to create a community.”

Note: If anyone is ever interested in these classes the best way to get an understanding of what each class offers is to constantly Widhammer or Sturrock when making schedules with any questions.