Heather Speer Photography

Fort Mill/Tega Cay Artist and Art Educator Heather Speer surveying the growth of a young artist.

Heather Speer, Tega Cay/Fort Mill artist, photographer, and art educator has been teaming up with Fort Mill High School’s Art Educator Judi Vokes.  The two have coordinated two sessions during which Heather Speer has come into the AP Art class to provide critique, consultation, and individual discussion with the AP students.  AP Art stands for Advanced Placement Art, a high level course that is offered to students who qualify.  It is rigorous and challenging.  In the spring, AP culminates when the students send in their portfolios to the AP Board for judging.  Depending on the score, students will receive college class credit.  This definitely provides a leg up to entry level college students–not to mention that it’s less expensive than taking the class in college.  AP is not for the faint of heart.  It is a year long process that requires diligence and hard work.

Heather Speer, who taught at Fort Mill High School, is at home in Ms. Vokes’ art room.  She shared it while she worked there.  After teaching at FMHS, she went to the middle school level where she taught several of the AP Students that she is now consulting.  “It is refreshing to be in an environment where the students are all focused on their art.  They want to learn and they are truly interested in what I have to say.  They realize the importance of their art.”

“I am so happy to see these young people again and to discover how they have grown and developed as people and as artists.  It makes me proud. I hope that they will go into the world and promote the value of the arts.”  Keeping the importance of the arts alive is something that really needs vocal support during this time of budget and position cuts.

Fort Mill/Tega Cay Artist and Art Educator Heather Speer consults with an AP Art student in Judi Vokes' AP Art class at Fort Mill High School.

Many positions and classes are coming down the the chopping block–classes like AP Art where young people serious about art receive intensive training that can shape their, and our, future.  Heather Speer agrees, “It has taken many years to develop the district [York 4] art curriculum into what it is now.  I hate to see it wither…If cut now, it could be at least 5 to 10 years before it comes back and that’s depending on the district priorities at hand.”

It is real and it is now.  Positions to be cut are expected to be announced this week.  Please be a diligent and concerned citizen.  Write or e-mail your school officials and board members.  Let’s preserve and grow the arts and culture industry in York County.  They payoff is exponential.

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