Eighth grade art students participate in both individual and group projects. Projects are designed to advance skills in observation and fine motor skills, and to lend experience in control of materials, tools, and techniques. Art class also provides an opportunity to work with concepts and abstract ideas, as well as develop a visual arts language and an aesthetic sensibility that challenges students to create, explore and solve problems with artistic intention and personally meaningful and expressive art. Students work with concepts and themes such as communication, identity, narrative/storytelling and symbolism.  Students discuss historical and contemporary artists who illustrate art concepts (Elements of Art and Principles of Design), themes and context defined by period and/or style, offering a framework and perspective of history, art and culture. Collaborative projects include the Exquisite Corpse, Photography Narratives (employing storyboarding, camera techniques, and body language) and Figurative Torn Paper Collages, which continues with use of body language to communicate. Individual projects include chalk drawings in the style of artist Keith Haring, value drawings, perspective collages, sculpture and digital design. A field trip to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts to participate in the Art and Social Justice tour provides an opportunity to view a number of American artists.