top of page

Ms. Koenig's Class - January 2025

ashleymariakoenig

Monthly Newsletter!

Welcome to Our Monthly Classroom Newsletter!

With the start of a new semester, I want to introduce (or reintroduce) you to our monthly class newsletter! I’ve noticed that many students don’t always share their classroom experiences or achievements at home, so this newsletter is a way to highlight and celebrate their hard work.

Each edition will recap the month’s activities, showcase student accomplishments, and feature outstanding work. I’m excited to shine a spotlight on our talented students and keep everyone informed about important updates. Stay tuned for inspiring stories and classroom highlights!


HELP!

It’s that time of year again when students are catching colds and dealing with sniffles. As teachers, we strive to keep our classrooms healthy and comfortable, but we’ve run out of tissues and Clorox wipes. If you happen to have an extra box or two that you could share, it would really help us get through this season. Thank you so much for your support!


Supplies!

Do you have any extra art or crafting supplies at home? If so, we would greatly appreciate any donations for the art room! We’re always in need of scrapbook paper, paint, stamps, coloring supplies, and just about any other art materials. Additionally, if you have any old wall art (framed or on canvas) that you’d like to recycle, we’d be happy to give it a new life in our projects. Feel free to send these items with your student—thank you for your support!


Celebrating Our Scholastic Art Award winners

This time of year is always exciting, as our dedicated art students have been working tirelessly since last January to compete in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The first round of the competition takes place regionally in Michigan, where over 5,000 entries are submitted—but only about 1,100 receive recognition. Earning an award in this prestigious competition is a true honor!

Students who achieve Gold Keys advance to the national competition, where they have the opportunity to win at a national level and even be recognized at Carnegie Hall. Over the past three years, Central has proudly had national winners each year—and we’re hoping to keep that streak alive!

This year, I had the privilege of working with many talented students, and I’m thrilled to share that we achieved a record-breaking 18 awards—the most Central has ever won!

🏅 8 Gold Keys

🥈 4 Silver Keys

🔹 6 Honorable Mentions

Want to see the winning entries? Check them out on my blog!


Art competitions Happening!


Young Artist Scholarship Competition

Attention All Art Students! 🎨✨


I’m thrilled to share an exciting opportunity with you! Art Leaders Gallery in West Bloomfield, MI, is hosting its first-ever Young Artist Scholarship Competition—a chance for you to showcase your talent alongside both local and internationally recognized artists.


📢 Who Can Enter?All high school students in Oakland County!


🎨 Submission Details:

  • Submit up to three pieces of artwork

  • No theme—let your creativity shine!

  • Deadline: March 31, 2025

🏆 What’s at Stake?The top 100 artists will be selected by a panel of jurors and have their work displayed in the gallery from April 7-26. During this time, visitors will cast votes for their favorite pieces. The competition will conclude with a special reception on April 26, where the top three winners will be awarded scholarships:


🥇 1st Place: $1,500

🥈 2nd Place: $500

🥉 3rd Place: $250


I’ve included more details, including a flyer with a QR code for submissions. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Don’t miss this incredible chance to gain recognition and support for your artistic journey.


Happy creating! 🎨✨



 

Photo 1

We kicked off the semester in Photo 1 by learning about composition and how students can create unique and engaging photographs. Students explored the difference between simply taking a photo and making one—understanding what sets a professional photographer apart from an amateur.

We also delved into self-portraits, discussing how they can serve as a powerful introduction to one's identity. For their first project, students created self-portraits that allowed me to get to know them not just as photographers, but as individuals.



Photos by, Amelia G., Luke F., Aliya R., Daniel H., Mattea B., Parker S., Addison C., Sophia M., Lucas W., Connor A., Jaydan W., Madyson C., Constantine S., and Jessica F.
 

Photo 2

We began the semester in Photo 2 by exploring altered self-portraits, focusing on ways students can manipulate and transform their portraits to create more unique and expressive imagery. To inspire their work, we studied the photography of Wes Naman, known for his distinctive and unconventional portrait techniques.

This project encouraged students to think outside the box and push the boundaries of traditional portraiture, fostering creativity and personal expression in their work.


Photos by, Melanie Z., Pilar S., Veronika L., Anthony C., Leah M., Olesia B., Hannah D., Griffin W., Lily W., and Enrique T.
 

Painting

In Painting, students have been focusing on foundational skills, particularly in watercolor techniques and color mixing. They created their own color grids to explore how different hues interact and blend.

To strengthen their skills, students have been completing daily warm-ups and practice paintings, helping them gain confidence with the medium. Now, as they continue their study of color theory, they are beginning an exciting new project: a monochromatic watercolor painting, where they will create an entire piece using varying shades of a single color.


Work by, Abby W., Raelyn C., Annabel C., Erena S., Veronika R., Ruby S., Angelina Q., Grace K., Amari M., Hailey M., Whitney M., and Ari H.
 

AP Art

AP Art students have reached the halfway point of their Sustained Investigation, currently working on Project 7 as they continue to explore their chosen questions and topics.

As the semester progresses, some students have delved deeper into their original investigations, refining their concepts and artistic approaches, while others have evolved their research, shifting focus as their creative processes unfold. This journey of exploration and adaptation is a crucial part of their artistic growth, leading to more meaningful and dynamic work.


Work by, Tuur D., Liana G., Kayla A., Aliya R., Dione A., Giselle S., Cherelle S., Taylor C., Mirelle Y., Hannah D., and Noel K.
85 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Kommentare


bottom of page