Program tests students’ artistic skills

For the 20th summer since 1989, students in Florence School District 1’s Horizons Gifted and Talented Art Summer Program have gathered at Briggs Elementary School to put their artistic skills to the test by creating everything from drawings and paintings to sculptures and books.

Horizons was originally open to students in grades four through six. In 2007, the program expanded to include seventh- and eighth-grade students and is called Horizons 2 or H2. Students who participated in the programs are identified through a screening process, which includes completing a portfolio and interview.

For the past three weeks, students in grades four through eight have designed several artistic pieces during the Horizons and Horizons 2 programs, which ends Wednesday.

Thirteen-year-old Todd “T.J.” Luikart, an H2 participant and student at Southside Middle School, said he recommends the Horizons program to any student interested in the arts.

“I think it’s really fun and that anybody should at least try it,” he said. “Try and do their best.”

Todd said he wanted use his artistic abilities in the fields of architecture or animation.

Sean LaFaye, lead art teacher for the Horizons program, said elementary students participated in three studio classes that incorporated projects that address state standards students are required to learn during the school year.

“We try to get the students to work on the projects that teachers may not have time for (in a regular school setting),” he said.

In LaFaye’s class, students were able to create their own chalk and fresco-style paintings. Students also created wire sculptures, stained glass pieces and shadow boxes.

In Amanda Jones’ class, students were taught several techniques in making books.

Jones, an art teacher at Lester Elementary School, said students designed their own books using paints and family photos. The class also experimented with different painting techniques, created flip books, pop up books and learned the art of European book binding.

Students also created still-life pieces using water colors in the third studio.

The H2 program focused on two- and three- dimensional artwork.

Scott Collins, lead teacher for the H2 program and an art teacher at Marion High School, said the H2 program is an extension of the Horizons program and most of the projects created by the students are college based assignments.

“We’re hoping to build on the Horizons program that has been in place for the past 20 years,” Collins said. “This was an effort to bolster what was going on, not only in middle school, but what’s going to happen in the high school.

Elizabeth Clonts, an art teacher in Richland County, was once a student in the Horizons program.

The University of South Carolina graduate was responsible for teaching students in the H2 how to create natural material and ceramic mobiles and box sculptures based on social issues the student chose.

A graduation ceremony will be held for both programs. H2 will hold its ceremony at 7 p.m. today in the school’s gym. The Horizons program’s graduation at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Selected student projects will be on display following both graduations.

On the Web

Briggs Elementary School, http://www.fsd1.org/briggs

Florence School District 1, http://www.fsd1.org