Following our visit to UofL’s Hite Institute, Ms. Wilhoit and I accompanied students to the newly reopened Speed Art Museum to check out the exhibition Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture. Students participate annually in the VANS Custom Culture Competition, so this show was a must-see for us! We learned about the history of sneaker design, and gained inspiration for this year’s contest. Afterwards, students had time to explore the Speed’s permanent collection. For many students, this was their first visit to an art museum. Viewing original works of art allowed them to analyze and describe what they were saw-the key to understanding art’s visual narrative!

Students got a glimpse of college life last week as they enjoyed a tour of UofL’s Hite Art Institute. Ms. Renee Murphy led students through studios while classes were in session, allowing students to ask questions of students and professors. We also saw some familiar faces [PRP alumni who are currently students at Hite] and checked out some amazing student artwork in the Hite Gallery’s Print Exhibition. Best part of all? Introducing my students to not one, but TWO of my art professors at Hite!

Greenwood Elementary students (Ms. Christie Mudd’s 4th/5th Grade Class) joined students in PRP’s Advanced Design class [PRP Creative] to meet local author Milla Gotlib. Students will be collaborating together to illustrate and design Milla’s Book of Alphabet Poems: From Apples to Alligators. Students learned about Milla’s intentions for writing the book (to promote early literacy) as they listened to her play and sing rap-style interpretations of her poems. Milla shared with students,”Reading aloud with expression and using music and poetry helps children learn to read.” The finished book will feature illustrations by Greenwood students and PRP Design students will scan images, design the book, and prepare for printing. A digital version will also be available. The 80+ page book will be available from Panther Press in Spring 2017. Special thanks to Ms. Milla Gotlib/author, and Janet Pinkston/editor for partnering on this project.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Design, Photography and Visual Art students enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to tour Churchill Down’s backside, watch trainers and horses, talk to jockeys and tour the Derby Museum during a field trip last month. Special thanks to Derby Museum Marketing Director Brittney Gorter, Education staff Ronnie Dreistadt and Heather Hill for making this event possible. Students took their cameras and enjoyed capturing their experience at Ky’s most iconic landmark. This field trip was the launch activity for a collaborative project between Design and Visual Art students. Students will use their images to generate artworks, publish a Derby themed issue of the PRP Pulse, and curate a student exhibition showcasing their work.

PRP High School was proud to host the October meeting of the Riverport Business Association! RBA President, Jenny Fox, serves on PRP’s Community Advisory Committee and has collaborated with students on the design/production of the RBA Newsletter. We’re excited about opportunities to build relationships with local businesses as we prepare our students for today’s workforce. Partnerships like this are a win-win for students. They are able to network and apply for internship opportunities, meet potential employers, and connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world projects for local businesses. RBA’s members include area employers such as CafePress; Guess Distribution Center; Algood Foods; Baptist Occupational Health; Dynacraft; Dale Carnegie Training; HMC Service Company; HTI Logistics; Kiely, Hines & Associates; Koorsen Fire and Security; Landsberg Orora; Yamamoto FB Engineering; and many others. See the link below for more information and for a full list of member companies.

http://www.myriverport.com/index.php

Photography students enjoyed a very special visit this week from legendary photographer Dan Dry, who is one of America’s most widely recognized photographers. He is a Business Advisory partner for PRP’s Communication, Media and the Arts Career Pathway, and a longtime supporter of our students. Dan is the  recipient of over 400 national and international photography, advertising and design awards during his career, and has been a photographer for National Geographic Magazine, was the official photographer for Churchill Downs, and has photographed leaders and celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, Bill Gates, the Obamas, and many more. He’s also received his profession’s highest honor, being named the National Press Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association.

Dan visited class to mentor students before a photography field trip to Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs. There’s nothing quite like getting advice on color, composition (and appropriate shoes to wear!) from the photographer of triple crown winner American Pharaoh. Students came away inspired and excited for their big day. For most, it is their first visit to America’s most iconic racetrack and Louisville’s most famous landmark.

Design students listened and brainstormed ideas as Ms. Jenita Lyons of Kosair Children’s Hospital met with them in our classroom last week. The meeting was the first in a series that students will direct as they embark upon a “Teens Against Tobacco” Campaign. This campaign will incorporate marketing pieces and social media directed at a an audience of their peers. The campaign will target high school students to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking so that students will stop smoking–or never start in the first place. The students will be present their work to Norton Healthcare upon completion.

Students listened and brainstormed ideas with Ms. Jenita Lyons, Manager of Health & Wellness at Louisville-based Kosair Children’s Hospital

Before venturing onto the digital landscape, students launched the new school year with some fun hands-on journaling projects. Check out their experimentation with different media as they designed their journal covers! They used gelly plates, stencils, linoleum prints, collage, glazing and acrylic paints using standard notebooks, and explored using pattern, texture, shape and line. Students will continue to use their journals throughout the year to record class notes, sketch and develop concepts for projects.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

PULSE_2016_WEB

Check out the latest issue of the PRP Pulse Literary Magazine, written, designed and produced by PRP students! This is our biggest issue yet, and features poetry, short stories, plays, artwork, photography and design. Enjoy!

Congrats to Abigail Stewart, who competed in Advertising Design @ 2016 SkillsUSA Nationals held in Louisville, KY in June. She competed with students across the United States, and received a $250 scholarship from GAERF. Abigail qualified for Nationals after placing first at the SkillsUSA KY Advertising Design Competition.  #KY Proud  #PRP Proud