NWAS High School Visual Arts
​ Auditions Help

What you need to do:

Step 1: Submit an Auditions Request Form (Submit ASAP! Due: TBD - before November to be guaranteed a Fall audition)
Step 2: Submit Digital Portfolio (Due Date: TBD usually in November)
​Step 3: Wait for a message from the coordinator about results and next steps.
Go though all the information on the NWSA auditions website to make sure you fully understand the process. The stuff below is to help you if you want to make your portfolio a little stronger.

Digital Portfolio Checklist

Middle School 

The Visual Arts M.S. Auditions requirement sheet has work checklists for each of these things to help guide you through the process, so use it!
  1. Landscape
  2. Self Portrait
  3. Best Recent Artwork
  4. 3-D Sculpture
  5. Handwritten Critique
1-5 should each include: images of the Final Piece and all evidence of your artistic process for that piece. Ex: Show how you are planning composition, thinking about and applying knowledge of the Elements and Principles, experimenting with media and techniques, reflection and notes relating to final work. 

High School ​

NOTE: you can use artwork you made last year! However, the newer the better ;-)
  1. Still Life
  2. Perspective Drawing
  3. Self Portrait
  4. 3-D Sculpture
  5. Choice Piece
  6. Handwritten Best Piece Critical Review
1-5 should each include: images of the Final Piece and all evidence of your artistic process for that piece. Ex: Show how you are planning composition, thinking about and applying knowledge of the Elements and Principles, experimenting with media and techniques, reflection and notes relating to final work. ​​

Additional Guided Help for Creating Work for Portfolio

Still Life

A painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects created from direct observation.
Recommended Research

Portrait

This needs to be an observational drawing and your goal is to be as realistic as you can but don't stress to much about it. We know you're still learning some of these skills. Just do your best.

Sculpture (3D)

This includes anything that is 3 dimensional, and is basically not flat. It can be made from found objects, clay, metal, wire, etc. 

Perspective Drawing

A Style of Art in which the relative size, shape, and position of objects are determined by drawn or imagined lines converging at a point on the horizon.
Recommended Research:
  • Accuracy does matter- use a straight edge at all times!
  • copy the examples and write down the terms they talk about in the video's below.
  • I recommend sticking with just 1 and 2 point perspective but if you have time and want to challenge yourself try the 3 point.
  • It's more impressive if you try to create a perspective drawing from observation. Try drawing a room or the neighborhood  where you live and add all the details you can using the rules of perspective. 

Your Choice

This can be anything else you have made. I'd recommend turning in something we've made in class so far this year for this entry but it is totally up to you. This is an opportunity to show off  other materials you've used or your best work if you didn't already use it as other parts of your portfolio.

​Critical Review

Pick your best pieces you are submitting from your portfolio and write a formal critique about it. Use the basic format for a critical art review:
  • Describe
  • Analyze
  • Interpret
  • Evaluate