Independent study students at Manitou Springs High School create lasting memories with their creative artistic endeavors. The program for independent study is an opportunity for students who are passionate about a specific medium of artistic expression to pursue it in a guided approach.  Students must be in 11th grade or above to apply, with high school credits that set the student on track for graduation. The process of selection is geared towards students who display discipline and enthusiasm for their art at a postsecondary level. 

One of the two independent study advisors is Paul Bonner. In Bonner’s independent study class, he strives to create an environment for his students to push their artistic boundaries. “I try to challenge them to explore new mediums, new styles, to not be afraid to make mistakes and not get so caught up in the finished product,” Bonner said.  

Advisors work together with their students to create a curriculum that meets the focus of medium while expanding the students’ skillset. “We look for someone who’s self-motivated and wants to explore a particular art medium further than what they got in the regular classroom,” Bonner said. 

Bonner’s independent study student, Tori Greene(12) is focused on photography and videography as her medium of expression. “My focus is to explore that hobby more, and my goal this year is to capture the human emotion aspect of things, especially within the senior class in our last year,” Greene said. 

Greene is working on capturing candid and raw photos that convey a story through the display of emotion. “I want to do either a video or a portfolio of photos from this year,” Greene said. “Something that seniors can look back on by the end of the year and remember at that moment how happy, excited, or sad they were.” 

Greene has been interested in photography for a long time. “When I was really young my grandparents’ neighbor introduced me to a camera, and I never went back.” 

Art students who are not taking the independent study avenue also share in an unfleeting passion for the art of photography. “I just think that what makes a good photograph is trying to convey meaning with what you’re taking a picture of, and not just taking a random snapshot of something,” photography student, Kyle Blasi(11), said. 

Blasi has had an interest in photography and filmmaking for a long time and wants to pursue it as a career. “I’ve been making YouTube videos since I was a little kid, and I work at GreenBox Arts up in Green Mountain Falls. I just like being part of a team and getting to produce things and be creative with other people. I think that’s really special,” Blasi said. 

Blasi takes advantage of the time in his photography class to practice and expand his skills, trying to convey the natural feelings of moments. “I’m looking forward to taking candids in class because I think that candid photography is a cool way to capture genuine moments without things being staged, I think it kind of represents a scene and authenticity without people posing,” he said. 

The second independent study advisor at MSHS is Erin Gocinski. Gocinski has a total of three independent studies this year. She tries to have a space for exploration with her students, allowing them to take control of their curriculum and build upon themselves. “I also emphasize   the need for practice in order to improve,” Gocinski said. “I encourage them to be patient and kind to themselves as they continue on their path and grow to become a better artist.”

One of Gocinski’s students, Quinn Pickett (12),  is using his independent study class to grow his art portfolio as well as expand on the style of his paintings. “I’m trying to round out a style for myself right now with my portraiture and developing of pieces, while trying to develop settings specifically for illustrated story pieces,” Pickett said. 

He has recently been taking inspiration from different sources to give a different feel to his paintings. “I’ve been trying to take inspiration from my own photography. Right now I’m doing a series of portraits based on photos I’ve taken of people,” Pickett said. “I’m also taking a lot of medieval Romanticism elements and trying to put them into my art.”  

As students grow in their artwork, advisors hope that they are finding satisfaction in their creativity. “There is a sense of freedom when I am being creative,” Gocinski said. “I love the experience of becoming absorbed in my art, and forgetting about the world for a few hours.”