Manitou Springs High School offers course specific independent study classes, where students can lead their own discovery on a specific subject. This year, Paul Bonner, an art teacher, has four senior students doing their own independent studies for various mediums under his mentorship.
Gracie Esterline (12) is taking an independent study for photography because it was recommended to her by Bonner. “I’m excited to get more experience,” Esterline said. “Photography was one of my favorite classes a couple years ago, and I had a lot of fun with it; so I’m excited to do more with it.”
One of Esterline’s goals for this class is to grow her knowledge of editing and camera settings.
Kyle Blasi (12) is doing an independent study based around film and developing his video skills. “It’s a time for me to pursue my passions and get to explore my creative limits in a way that I don’t normally get to,” Blasi said.
Blasi has a personal goal of finding his style in terms of his videography this year. “I think every artist and every filmmaker has their own unique style and some kind of creative niche or abilities,” Blasi said, “so my goal, specifically this year, is to further develop that style by experimenting with a lot of different things.”
Blasi feels that to take an independent study, students have to be driven, motivated and passionate about their subject. “There’s not a teacher there assigning you projects and assignments to do,” Blasi said. “Along the way, you come up with your own projects that you’re working on. So I wouldn’t say it’s for everybody, but for people who like to pursue their own work. I think it’s a really good option.”
Blasi is grateful to have Bonner as his teacher because he feels that he is consistently encouraged to try new things. “I’ve known him for four years over my high school experience, and he’s seen me grow and improve as an artist,” Blasi said. “He’s helped me get into new film opportunities, and he’s taught me a lot about life in general.”
Madi Campbell (12) is doing an independent study surrounding mixed media pieces. She is excited for the opportunity to work with a variety of mediums in her independent study. “I’m really excited to work on incorporating mixed media into my art,” Campbell said. “I want to be able to have 3D and 2D elements in it and work with more materials than I would if I was just taking a drawing or like a painting class.”
Campbell feels that her independent study will help her improve because her only competition is herself.
Delaney Loper (12) is doing an independent study this year as well. “It gives us a lot of freedom to create these things that we’re passionate about,” Loper said. “I want to improve on kinds of art that I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with before I started.”
Alex Traenkle (12) is doing an independent study based on the use of oil pastels and watercolors. “I’m excited to learn how to work with pastels and water colors better,” she said. “I’ve been testing some things out and it’s difficult to work with it together.”
Traenkle hopes to improve her realistic animal portraits and nature based pieces throughout her independent study.
Bonner wishes that there could be more opportunities for students to be independently creative. “I wish there were more opportunities,” Bonner said. “Maybe we could even combine classes of independent study kids, where they can all work on their own or come together for critiques and evaluations. They could push each other.”
Bonner is grateful that his independent study students are inclined and passionate. “These kids want to be there and they want to do the work,” he said, “so you don’t have to force them.”
