Senior Dilpinder Thandi and Principal Rollin Dickinson showing portraits created using new mediums in Art III. Photo courtesy of junior Diana Pruett. 

Students may have noticed art electives offered at San Luis Obispo High School are packed with students ready to dive into different art mediums. 

“It is nice to have some sort of a creative break by taking a visual arts class, you know, All of them are just great. Just a creative outlet for the students and plus, it kind of taps into, I guess the creativity of the students.” said art teacher Michael Norton.

Throughout the art pathway students get the freedom to engage in many different mediums with a large array of tools. Many students don’t have access to a full art studio with different materials and equipment. 

Not only is art a pleasurable activity but in a study done by the Brown Center it is shown how art can increase test scores and decrease in students being punished. With that being said, who wouldn’t want to take a fun class while having the opportunity to increase their academics? 

“For sure, it’s definitely a requirement and everyone should take art as it is necessary to their daily life.” When asked, junior Tristan Candelas shared how beneficial art can be. Not only can new skills be learned, but students can also get the ability to find a new artistic outlet. The art classes currently offered range from students having no experience all the way to the AP level. 

“I think it’s popular because it may be seen as easier, or in people’s comfort zones. I had Bockelman and she was very encouraging and in my experience she showed everyone the correct things to do, and I gained a lot of good techniques,” said junior Karl Karsh 

Classes aren’t extremely strict which allows students to engage in art they want to create. Make sure to talk to a counselor to sign up for third trimester art classes.