When Arlyn Brantley joined the high school faculty this year, he introduced some new and interesting projects to his students.

He says he offers a variety of classes so students can find what fits them best.

“I want them to pick an art they want to learn.” – Arlyn Brantley

Students can take Art I, Art II or sculpture classes. The Art I classes are for students who want to learn the fundamentals of art, Art II is a more advanced class that is more focused on the details and the sculpture classes are for students who are more hands on.

Recently the sculpture classes built African tribal masks out of found wooden objects. They were displayed in the main building of the high school.

“I really enjoyed the wood sculptures we did, but I’m more excited to do pottery, which we’re working on now,” senior Sayge Alexander said.

Presently the sculpture classes are working with clay to make pinch pots and face jugs.

Brantley said his Art II classes are focusing on technique and color. Students are drawing exotic animals that have many different bright colors.

“My favorite project so far was the sunset silhouette project we did because they all turned out really beautiful,” sophomore Jakobi White said.

Art I is working on shading and recently completed drawings depicting barns that use the techniques they learned.

Brantley wants to provide students with opportunities they would have in a more advanced course.

“I want them to experience things they would in college. I want to push them to learn techniques of higher level art,” Brantley said.

By the end of the year he wants his students to have enough work to produce a show.

“I hope our classes can become a resource to the community with ideas and artistic projects. That is another one of my goals,” Brantley said.