The Goals: Intro to Studio aims to develop students’ foundational skills in painting, drawing, and basic sculpture creation. Students will use these skills to advance their understanding of technique, art elements, and design principles.

Hands-on: Students explored charcoal drawing by creating portraits that emphasized movement and action rather than perfection. They were encouraged to enjoy the act of creating itself and to find value in the process. “This project isn’t just about drawing a face,” said Fine Arts Teacher Veronica Salas. “It’s about capturing motion and energy within an image.”

A Valuable Lesson: This project taught students to observe more deeply and look at the world around them with intention. Veronica hopes students will learn that anything in the world doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. By focusing less on the end-product and more on the process, students begin to see beauty in imperfection and in everyday moments.

Class Goals: Veronica hopes Intro to Studio helps students grow both as artists and individuals. She tells her students that they’ll learn things they like and don’t like while making art. For her, one of the best parts of teaching is the opportunity to create art alongside her students and to witness them learning more about themselves in the process.

What I’ve Learned: For senior Rory C.H., drawing a goat helped her explore motion in art and step outside her usual style. “I’m not super detail-oriented, so the early sketches were more comfortable,” she said. “I had to literally stand up and feel the art.” The fast-paced variety of the class also helped her build confidence across different techniques.

Sophomore Brandon L. created a lively cat-and-mouse illustration and appreciated the chance to draw alongside friends. “You always have to have an open mind when looking at art,” he said. For him, the biggest takeaway was learning to express emotions through drawing.

Sophomore Thea M. combined different charcoals to depict an unexpected friendship between a turtle and a dragonfly. Though hesitant at first, she ended up enjoying the medium. “Art isn’t perfect,” she said. “You don’t have to be good at art to use it to your advantage.” She values the class as a creative break from stress.

GET TO KNOW FINE ARTS TEACHER VERONICA SALAS

Veronica joined UPrep in January 2021 after teaching at the American Academy of Fine Arts in Bellevue and working as a TA during grad school. She’s always been drawn to storytelling. As a child, she dreamed of becoming either a visual art teacher or a journalist. “I found that art was more honest,” she said. “And teaching was more fulfilling than chasing stories or the truth.”

For Veronica, the most rewarding part of teaching is helping students see the world in new ways and express themselves creatively. “It keeps me in practice, too,” she said. “Even if I don’t have time to make art personally, it allows me to keep my artistic skills sharp.” Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, going to shows, spending time with her dogs, and, of course, making art.

Read more Show Your Work articles.