Knowles, Ashley

Ashley Knowles

Ashley Knowles

Phone: 910-532-6300 ext 38849
Email Ashley Knowles

Degrees and Certifications:

  • Johnston Community College - Art and Graphic Design

  • University of Mount Olive, 2015 - Bus.

    Management and Organizational Dev.

  • University of Mount Olive, 2019 Visual Art: K-12

  • University of Mount Olive, 2019 English 9-12

Dear parents and students,

My name is Ashley Knowles and this will be my 8th year teaching Visual Art in Sampson County and will be my third year at Union High School.  I am passionate about Visual Art and dedicated to sharing the exponential value of art with my students. My goal is to facilitate student creativity, growth, knowledge and experience so when they graduate high school, they will leave me with the ability to express themselves creatively and move ahead as experienced problem solvers in a diverse and beautiful world. I am excited to remain a Spartan and I can't wait to connect with each of you!

Mrs. Knowles

Courses and Curriculum

In all art levels, students will gain hands-on experience with North Carolina Essential Standards; Visual Literacy, Contextual Relevancy and Critical Response.

Beginning Art 1

In this beginner course, students will:

  1. Focus on drawing with various styles, techniques, and mediums (black and white drawing materials).

  2. Learn the Elements of Art and Principles of Design.

  3. Understand visual art and its historical and cultural relevancy.

  4. Begin to understand art criticism.

Intermediate Art 2

*Students in Intermediate Art 2 have met all standards in Beginning Art 1 with proficiency (80%).

In this intermediate course, students will:

  1. Focus on colored mediums to include colored pencil, oil pastel and acrylic painting.

  2. Review the Elements of Art and Principles of Design while communicating through new mediums.

  3. Understand the connection between Visual Art and current, interdisciplinary applications.

  4. Learn to critique art.

Proficient Art 3 (Honors)

*Students in Proficient Art 3 have met all standards in Intermediate Art 2 with proficiency (80%).

In this Honors course, students will:

  1. Focus on painting using acrylic, watercolor and oil based paint.

  2. Compare effects and mood of a variety of painting materials.

  3. Understand the influence of art within commercial design.

  4. Collaborate with peers to solve artistic problems

Advanced Art 4 (Honors)

*Students in Advanced Art 4 have met all standards in Intermediate Art 3 with proficiency (80%).

In this ADVANCED Honors course, students will:

  1. Create a thesis statement based off of a research topic of choice.

  2. Create 8 pieces of art that support the thesis statement.

  3. 3. Write a 1-3 page artist statement containing information and rationale for each artwork int he portfolio.

  4. Create a Website

  5. Present to classmates as the final exam.

Sketchbook Assignment
Monochromatic Portrait
Landscape Painting
Colored Pencil Drawing
Colored Pencil Drawing
Stippling Project
Colored Pencil
Colored Pencil
Colored Pencil and Graphite
Watercolor and Ink
Art Club

All students at Union High School will have an opportunity to be members of Art Club.

Dues are 25.00 and are due by September 15, 2023.

Dues cover any additional materials needed to create art.

Dues also offset any additional costs in field trips.

Art Club participates and volunteers in community events.

Art Club meets every Monday from 3:15 - 4:30 beginning Oct. 2, 2023 unless otherwise discussed.

Please check out the pics from Art Club 2022/2023!