Dance Elective is so much fun. The students get a chance to really work out and it’s a learning experience. Many students came and found out that they had gifts that they didn’t know about before. The students learned how to express their emotions in a different style of dance and they learned how to worship in Spirit and in Truth
In the spring, the High School dance Elective did a Spring Celebration here at Evangel Church. Some of these students also ministered in dance while on their Mission Trip to Spain. The Dance Elective also had the opportunity to minister at a church here in Queens, the Church of the Nevia Vida, where the people were truly blessed by our Dance team.
In December the High School Dance Elective worked on a “Hiphop R & B” dance to the song “Crossover”. They also did a dance with flags involving 22 students to the song “Mighty to Save”. It took them two days to learn the moves and the technique of the flags but they had a lot of fun learning and performing the dance routine.
For 15 weeks, 14 high school future scrap bookers gathered for 80 minutes to crop and chat. Each girl had the opportunity to create an “All About Me” book in an expandable fabric album. They were able to use various scrapbooking tools and were taught several techniques to embellish their album. They learned that a scrapbook is a wonderful way to preserve and share their most cherished photographs. I truly enjoyed sharing my favorite hobby with these precious girls.
This year has been very exciting in Art. Students have learned a lot this year from Art History to the culture of others’ art work. Here are a few highlights of the year:
· High School for the fall semester learned to paint. They learned about painting still life and the different effects of acrylic paint. The fall semester was Digital Photography. They not only learned how to take pictures but how to manipulate them on a computer by using Adobe Photoshop.
Six students took World Civilization I as an elective for NYACK credit this year. Together we explored ancient history and the foundations of civilizations. We also explored our ancient ancestry as far as we could – tracing roots back to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The second half of the year we focused on major changes in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. We studied exchanged of ideas and goods through migration and conflict. Throughout the year we took lunch trips getting a taste of various civilizations through their cuisine. We also watched modern movies portraying ancient times, such as 10,000 BC and Apocalypts.
During the spring semester of 2008, Miss Stahler and her high school class began to learn how to take a good photograph. First, we studied a slide show to find the most common mistakes photographers make (i.e. over and under exposure, blurry action pictures, etc.) Second, we learned 6 main categories to think about when taking a picture. They are:
1. Composition – use of lines, focus, zoon, rule of two-thirds.
2. Light – light source, temperature, flash, time of day.
3. Color – use of color, light, emotion, black and white.
4. Landscape – composition, framing, zoom, perspective, foreground, proportions.
5. People – light, lens, portrait, children, flash.
6. Being ready – motor drive, vantage point, shutter lag, preparation.
Each week the students would bring in their digital camera and we would learn a new part of the outline and then practice taking a picture using the topic of the day. Here are some pictures from our end of the year slide show. Enjoy.
During the fall semester of 2007, Miss Stahler and a group of high school students set off on a baking journey, They learned baking and cooking vocabulary. They made frozen drinks, apple pie, Jello slices and more. The students were at the edge of their seat each week waiting to find out what they would bake next. Our elective was most popular during lunch time when the other HS students helped taste test and grade our desserts.
The “End of the Year” Resource Room trips went very well this year. Both Middle School students and High School students went on separate days to Johnny Rockets Restaurant at the Atlas Mall and then to Juniper Valley Park for “R & R”. For each trip the weather forecast looked ominously wet and stormy, however God was merciful and the sun broke through at the last moment to allow for an absolutely beautiful day at the park. “Some how” the Middle Schoolers aquired water toys and had a great time getting wet! Anyway, I look forward to next year’s trips.
Mrs. Kemp
MS & HS Figure Drawing Electives Fall 2007
Ms. Janna DykThe goal of the figure drawing elective was to provide students with a chance to explore how to artistically render the human figure, with primary emphasis on drawing the face and hands. A variety of projects and in-class practice ensued. Each class session consisted of a short lesson about a different aspect of drawing the figure, followed by visual application (practice) of the concept discussed. Students took turns sitting as a model for one another, drew each others´ hands while alternating who would read about the new concept (while keeping their hands still!), and exploring various sketching exercises from Betty Edwards´ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Two coinciding projects culminated the semester: a series of practice drawings of infants, as well as wood paintings on panels. Students exhibited their work at the Evangel´s Christmas show in December. A copy of the description of this show is included here:
The Baby Sketches
Before we started to draw Baby Jesus, we had to practice drawing babies. Previous to this assignment we had only drawn people, and since babies’ features are softer and smaller, we needed to get used to drawing them before starting our Christmas project. So, these are some examples of what we sketched in preparation for our final art pieces.
Karas Bonifas, 9F
writing for the class
The Wood Paintings
A number of influences inspired these projects. As a class, we discussed the significance of symbolism in early Christian art, particularly the art of the Catacombs, and the Byzantine and Renaissance period. Many triptychs and paintings on wood exist to document the significance of symbolism in early Christianity. (One might peak into the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a taste of immense about of gold-glittering pieces from such eras). Illiterate persons relied solely on drawings and paintings (aside from priests’ teaching and mass) to augment their faith.
For centuries, the very “best and brightest” of artists were fervent believers. Ironically today, Christians and the artistic community often conflict. Artistic exploration may be discordant with biblical teaching. Within the past half century, however, a significant movement has arisen among contemporary Christian artists to revive the early vigor and influence of art infused by faith (and faith reiterated by art). Artist groups such as Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), the International Art Movement (IAM), or individual artists such as the Frenchman Georges Roualt or Japanese artist Makoto Fujimura, implore persons with and without faith to consider issues of truth and of Jesus.
First sketching practice drawings of infants, the high school Figure Drawing Elective class was implored to create drawings or paintings on wood that reflected some of the early tradition of art, alongside their own faith. Since Evangel’s theme this year is “The Miracle of Christmas,” the students were encouraged to create projects alluding to this. Using books such as George Fergeson’s Signs and Symbols in Christian Art and a wide variety of art history texts, students tapped into a long-standing, meaning-filled Christian tradition to create these pieces.
Ms. Janna Dyk,
Art and Spanish teacher
Here´s what several students wrote about their pieces…
A Moment to Rejoice
The blanket over Christ has three colors: red, blue, and white. These reflect his purity, royalty in heaven, and the blood he would shed. The crown that brightly shines above him shows that he is king. The angels surround him to rejoice in celebration of his birth,, and will watch over Him always. Mary on the lower end of the picture is holding onto a columbine flower, which stands for the Holy Spirit.
What I want viewers to gain from this piece is the meaning of Christmas. For them to see how beautiful the day was many many years ago, and how we should still rejoice unto this day. The tiny Lord coming into our world and blessing us with his presence is a priceless gift God has given. Celebrate as the angels did this day.
Stephanie Massiah, 11W
Untitled
The star on my painting is a representation of Christ’ holiness and majesty. But I think the words holiness and majesty pale in comparison to what Jesus Christ really is. The baby in a manger is a representation of Jesus’ gentleness because as we all know some babies are usually gentle and innocent. The Cross is a representation of Christ’ symbol of love which is also the symbol of salvation. I would like viewers to gain that Christ is not just a symbol for Christmas but he should be a symbol for our daily lives.
Stephen Samaroo, 10