Do you embrace art? Do you love to draw? Have you ever thought about being a comic or portrait artist? You should probably join AP 2D Art Class, which gives you college credit for creating drawings and paintings.

Jazlyn Chang-Valdez, a senior in the class, said, “It is really good for students who might want to go into some field in visual arts. I want to be a comic artist, so I’m in this class to help me improve my skills a little more.”

Shawn Burbano, a senior, stated that AP 2D Art helps him be more creative and original instead of doing things like going on Google to find a picture to draw or to get an idea from a website. Instead, you draw whatever image or idea that pops in your head.

Senior Lourdes Aguila said, “The class helps you put more thought into where to position your objects. In AP 2D Art, you can’t include just one thing, you need a background and composition, where it’s going to be facing, and dimension.”

Ms. Sue A. Lee, the AP 2D Art teacher states that this is the highest level of art offered at Miami High. You start with your introductory courses, Drawing I, Painting 1, then you go to level 2’s which include Drawing 2, Portfolio Honors, and then you have this course.

Besides the pre-requisite classes, Ms. Lee says that students who take AP 2D Art must have a very strong body of work within their portfolio. “A lot of students that were selected were students that came to me with work that I was able to evaluate and see they’re obviously working at a higher level than a beginner,” she said. “In AP 2D Art, you see a lot of work, and different styles, and all the kids draw inspiration from each other.”

AP 2D students work on building their portfolio that they’re going to submit to the College Board. It’s 24 pieces during the whole school year that they’re going to have to produce. The portfolio has three sections: breadth, concentration, and quality. Students have to score 3 or higher to pass this AP Course.

Also, while the AP Art students are working on their portfolio, they also work on expanding their understand of the artistic principles and elements.