Art QUEST

Fifth grade students who demonstrate a passion and are interested in being considered for Art QUEST are required to complete a Student Self-Nomination Form and submit a portfolio for review in the fall.

Art QUEST teachers use the National Core Art Standards to create lessons which include advanced problem solving skills, more technical difficulty, greater independence and deeper analytical and evaluative discussions (critiques) about art than normally experienced in the fifth grade art curriculum. The groups are smaller, approximately 15-17 students with two teachers, which allows for more individualized attention. In addition, students have at least one to two field experiences per year, visiting either a museum or an artist studio, giving students a real life connection to the artist and the arts. The overall objective of Art QUEST is to facilitate and broaden student’s perspective, focused on the whole child, as per CT standard to promote artistically literate citizens well equipped with the creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills needed to live rich and meaningful lives.

A Portfolio Review Committee of certified teachers and practicing artists will convene in September to make the selection of 30-35 students to participate in Art QUEST. The committee is comprised of art teachers from West Hartford elementary and middle schools. 

Students will attend Art QUEST on Monday afternoons, from approximately 3:50-5:30 P.M., for ten weeks from October-December and ten weeks January-March. Art QUEST is held in two locations. Students will be transported to their appropriate school on buses already assigned to their school.  

Student Portfolios will contain:

#1: 2-D realistic tonal self-portrait completed independently outside of school.  Media: Regular drawing pencil.

#2: 2-D student-created product completed in school in 4th grade (i.e., recent Art Show piece).

#3: 2-D art piece created independently at home, free choice of subject matter.  Media:  Free choice. 

The following items are considered part of the student’s portfolio for review but will be completed by the student in school in September.  

#4: Sculpture Challenge (3D) to be created in art class.    

#5: Artistic Writing Statement: a writing response completed in school to analyze your sculpture challenge. The QUEST teacher will schedule and oversee this component.

Parents/Caregivers will deliver portfolios in a large folder or envelope. Please do not fold artwork. All portfolio items will be returned to students provided the student’s name and school are on the back of ALL art pieces.