All Oak Hills High School students electing to enroll in an Art and Design Department course will develop a Competitive Advantage, Appreciation of the Arts, Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills, Interdisciplinary Connections, Social and Global Awareness, and Career Preparation related to Visual Communication.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. This is a prestigious competition. The Grand Prize winning artwork will represent the 8th Congressional District of Ohio in Washington, D.C., by being displayed in the U.S. Capitol as part of a year-long exhibit. The winning artist receives a free round-trip airfare for the national winners’ reception in Washington, D.C. The other First Place winning piece will be displayed in congressman Warren Davidson’s Butler County District Office for one year.
This year, the students from schools throughout Ohio District 8 submitted works for the competition. Congratulations to this year’s OHHS Art and Design students who reside in District 8 who submitted work and were selected for this year’s exhibition and competition!
Baylee Moorman Michael Smith
Baylee Moorman, “The Collection”Michael Smith, “Falling Awake”
Awards will be announced at the Congressional Art Competition Exhibition and Award Reception at the Springfield Township ArtsConnect – The Grove Event Center (9158 Winton Rd., Building B, Cincinnati, OH 45231) on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 10am to 12pm. Winners will be announced at 10:30 am.
As part of the Contemporary Arts Center School Outreach Program, AP Art & Design students recently connected with working artist and designer Chad Cruz for a firsthand look at building a career in the creative industries. Cruz, founder of Creative House of Art and Design (CHAD), shared his professional journey from developing his artistic voice to working with major clients, including Marvel. He spoke candidly about the discipline, adaptability, and persistence required to move from passion to paid work, emphasizing that success in the arts often comes from consistently showing up, meeting deadlines, and learning how to communicate ideas clearly to clients.
A central focus of the conversation was freelancing. Cruz broke down the realities of contract work, from building a portfolio that attracts opportunities to managing client expectations and pricing creative labor. Students gained insight into the less-visible side of being an artist: networking, and maintaining professional relationships. He stressed that talent alone is not enough; organization, reliability, and self-advocacy are just as critical.
Cruz also discussed his transition into entrepreneurship through launching his own studio. As a business owner, he balances creative work with leadership responsibilities, program development, and community engagement. He explained how creating a sustainable practice means thinking beyond individual projects and building systems that support long-term growth.
For AP Art & Design students, the experience reframed what it means to pursue a future in art. Rather than viewing creative careers as uncertain or abstract, they saw a clear pathway grounded in real-world skills: portfolio development, professional communication, adaptability, and business awareness. By connecting with a practicing artist who actively navigates multiple roles: designer, freelancer, and entrepreneur, students gained a more complete picture of how creative careers are built and sustained.
The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education just announced the winners for the fifty-sixth Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, which will be open for viewing on Sunday, April 12 through May 14, 2026, at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus. This juried exhibition represents the creative expressions in the visual arts by outstanding, talented students from Ohio’s high schools. The exhibition is a cooperative effort between the Office of the Governor of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, and the Ohio Arts Council, as well as many colleges, universities, and business sponsors.
The final selection of works of art, created by 9th through 12th grade students, was adjudicated by the following state jurors:
Jessica Boushie, Columbus College of Art and Design Lisa Bare, Ceramic Artist, BareClay Studio Keith Dull, Ashland University Keith Spenser, Denison University Melissa Vogley Woods, Denison University Emily Weithorn, Mount St. Joseph University Roscoe Wilson, Miami University Jeff Yost, Cleveland Institute of Art
A total of 5,786 art entries were submitted by approximately 2,100 Ohio high school students. Selections from each of the fourteen regions were made by a panel of judges chosen by the regional directors. Amanda Schaeffer, State Director and coordinator of the exhibition states, “It is with great pride that we exhibit these students’ artworks at the Rhodes Tower. The exhibition is a testament to the high quality of visual arts education that exists in our state. It is vital that the community understands the value and importance of arts education, and the impact that it has on our young people. We hope that this exhibition fosters that understanding. We are fortunate that Ohio is a state in which the arts and arts education are supported by community and educational leaders, legislators, colleges and universities, civic organizations, and businesses. Without the support and encouragement from these groups, the achievements of these young artists might go unrecognized.”
Congratulations to OHHS Art and Design student, Lydia Wilson, who’s drawing “Goodnight Fugglers” was selected as one of the 275 works for this year’s State Exhibition!
In addition to the exhibition, there will be an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 12th at 12:00 PM in the Davidson Theatre in the Verne Riffe Center for Government and the Arts. Students and families are invited to attend this ceremony.
Details: Exhibition Viewing Rhodes State Office Tower 30 E. Broad St., Columbus Ohio 43215 Open daily during business hours Beginning April 13, 2026
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, April 12, 12:00 – 1:00 PM Davidson Theatre, Verne Riffe Center for Government and the Arts 77 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
This past weekend, the regional level of judging for The Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, took place. The Exhibition, now in its 56th year, is dedicated to the educational and artistic advancement of our talented young people in the state of Ohio. The exhibition is open to all of Ohio’s 1,112 high schools, both public and private, chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education. The exhibition is a valuable incentive for our young people; it encourages an appreciation for the arts throughout Ohio and reflects the fine quality of art instruction and talent which exist in our state.
The process of selecting artworks for the state exhibition begins on a regional level. The state is divided into 15 regional locations, with high school students in each region invited to enter work in that regional judging. Each region has a designated Regional Director, who is responsible for choosing the judges for his or her region and arranging specifics of the event. The judging takes place first regionally, and then at the state level, with judges for the competition chosen from all over the country and are generally professional artists, college level instructors, or both.
This year our region # 14, Southwest Ohio, had almost 600 entries and 114 works were selected to move on to the second and final round of judging at the statewide level. Three different judges rated the work on a 0.5 – 10 scale and their scores were averaged together to select the top 20% of works. The Statewide judging will take place next Saturday, March 14th.
Congratulations to Lydia Wilson who had two pieces selected to advance to the state level of judging, and best of luck to her in the next round this upcoming weekend!
As part of the signature programming of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center’s Nourse Gallery, CCAC is holding the third edition of “New Woman,” a juried group exhibition and accompanying fellowship for one selected artist. CCAC’s signature first-floor gallery, named for Elizabeth Nourse (one of the earliest women artists to achieve widespread recognition and make a living as a professional painter), aims to follow Nourse’s tradition by showcasing the artwork of women artists of Cincinnati and beyond, including the “New Woman” exhibition and fellowship. One winning artist will be selected from the group show for the biennial “New Woman” Fellowship at CCAC, receiving a solo exhibition and honorarium in the following year. The exhibition and fellowship together serve as a platform for recognizing and supporting the creative voices of women working across media, disciplines, and stages of their careers.
OHHS Art and Design teacher, Jamie Schorsch, was one of 55 artists selected from over 371 entries for this year’s exhibition. Schorsch’s piece, “The Heliocentric Sovereign” was selected for the exhibition alongside so many outstanding women from our region…including OHHS Art and Design alumnus Brittany Mathis and former teacher Jan Thomas!
Come out for the opening reception Friday, March 6th, from 6 – 8 pm. The exhibition will be on view through April 3rd.
The Heliocentric Sovereign: Artist Statement “Metaphors for strength, reclamation of power, and identity populate my images focused on symbolizing resilience and the unwavering ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity, heal, and rediscover its authentic essence. The visual journeys illustrate the unraveling of the intricate tapestry of my identity, interwoven and imbued with mythological references, elements of mysticism, and spirituality, bestowing profound meaning upon events that have challenged my sense of self. In birthing the creations, they become a transformative medium, liberating me from the constraints of past experiences, societal expectations, and transcending pain that has confined me and impacted my personal journey.
The Heliocentric Sovereign merges the radiant, life-giving energy of the Sun with the confident creativity of the Queen of Wands. Cloaked in a garment patterned after solar flares, the fauna it cultivates, and crowned with a golden corona of enlightenment, the Sovereign radiates warmth and illumination. Surrounding forms turn toward this light, symbolizing the gravitational pull of hope, vitality, and renewal.
Drawing from Buddhist iconography, the figure’s raised hand forms the abhaya, the “no fear” mudra, representing courage, compassion, and spiritual awakening. This gesture conveys serenity amidst adversity and the calm assurance of inner strength. Feline imagery reinforces themes of independence and intuitive grace. Associated with solar energy, cats embody protection, self-possession, and balance between fierce vitality and quiet contemplation, mirroring the Queen of Wands’ creative fire and feminine confidence.
Marigolds, bright as miniature suns, symbolize remembrance, warmth, and transformation. Their cyclical nature honors both life and loss, reminding us that renewal is born through resilience. The inclusion of a raven deepens this meditation; its dark wings are a counterpoint to the light, representing mystery, wisdom, and the transformative power of introspection. Together, these symbols weave a dialogue between illumination and shadow, life and transcendence. The title’s scientific reference, “Heliocentric,” evokes the need for a stable inner center where one’s light endures despite life’s orbiting challenges”.
OHHS Art and Design 