Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/133180
Visual Arts Students Delve Deep with Independent Studies "Visual Arts really lends itself to Independent Studies. It is all about self-discovery. It is about an individual's approach to solving a problem or dabbling with an idea. From the start, students must set specific goals, put in about seven hours a week of work for 20 or 40 weeks, log their progress, and produce anywhere from eight to 15 pieces and a major piece at the end. In many cases, according to Ross, students are only too willing to push themselves beyond these expectations. "There is something to be said for the confidence that students gain with the mastery of something that they are passionate about. It inspires incredible commitment." Madi, for example, explains that she frequently would cook and photograph her food for 10 hours at a stretch over the weekends for her cookbook, which she continues to update and improve. "I'm a little bit of a perfectionist," she admits. "Everything has to be perfect before I even start taking photos." Recipes that didn't taste good were edited from the book. Foods that came out of the oven misshapen or unevenly cooked never even made it before the camera. "Sometimes my mother had to finally tell me to let it be. But in the end my family was pretty happy with all the tasting they got to do over the quarter." To Ross, the experience of Independent Studies not only enhances the educational experience for her students, it also inspires her as a teacher. "It is a give and take situation as we create the course. Sometimes I bring ideas to the table, and sometimes students show me things I have never seen before. It makes my work exciting. I am constantly learning in an effort to keep up with their interests and provide the depth that is necessary." • – Evelyne Girardet Above, paintings by Krizia Lopez with the guidance of art teacher Russell Harris. Left, nature photography by Jessica Roldan, who did much of her work at Lincoln Park Zoo. Animation by David Carlson created for an Independent Study with art teacher Derek Haverland. Latin School of Chicago 15