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.
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”.
The Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA)has been one of the most far-reaching multi-disciplinary art projects for students in grades one through twelve in Indiana since 1986. Held in conjunction with the prestigious International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, this dynamic educational program integrates the performing, literary, and visual arts, encouraging students to explore the connection between music and creative expression. In 2022 alone, JESA engaged more than 21,000 students and 151 art teachers from 57 counties across the state of Indiana. The program is unique in that it awards cash prizes not only to the student Grand Award Winners, but to their schools or sponsoring organizations as well, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting arts education at every level.
New for 2026, JESA has expanded into Ohio for the very first time! Thanks to the generosity of the Ohio-based Cynthia P. Matthews Family Foundation, students and schools in both Indiana and Ohio will each receive $18,000 in prizes per state. Thirty Streeter Hadley Matthews Grand Award Winners will be selected in each state, and their artwork will be displayed during the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis from September 17th through October 4th, 2026. Following the competition, each winning artist’s work will be exhibited within their home state for a period of three years.
Best of luck to OHHS Art and Design student, Lily McGuire, who is competing in this year’s exhibition! Lily’s entry, “The Melody of the Soul Contained,” beautifully embodies JESA’s mission by celebrating creativity, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and highlighting the powerful connection between music and visual art.
OHHS AP Art and Design students recently visited Visionaries + Voices in Cincinnati for an immersive, hands-on experience focused on inclusive arts programming and professional studio practice!
Founded in 2003, Visionaries + Voices is a nonprofit organization that provides creative, professional, and educational opportunities to visual artists with disabilities. Students learned how V+V supports artists not only in producing and exhibiting work, but also in developing professionally, collaborating with community partners, and contributing meaningfully to the regional arts landscape.
During the tour, students explored dynamic studio spaces where artists work in paint, clay, metal, fabric, colored pencil, ink, papier-mâché, collage, photography, assemblage, glass, wood, and more! They saw how artists cultivate individual styles that lead to exhibitions locally and beyond.
Students participated in studio activities alongside resident artists, experiencing the collaborative environment that defines V+V. Studio staff, trained in disciplines such as printmaking, ceramics, painting, and drawing, guided discussions and demonstrations, while sharing how education, exhibition, and professional development are integrated into daily practice.
A highlight of the visit was OHHS 2001 graduate Nick Kraft, who demonstrated his wheel-throwing skills and shared his ceramic work. His presentation connected how adaptive strategies have helped his technical skill development and artistic voice, offering students practical insight and inspiration.
The visit provided a meaningful look at how inclusive programming, community partnerships, and professional studio opportunities empower artists and strengthen the broader arts community.
AP Art and Design students recently had the opportunity to engage in a hands-on ceramics experience at Queen City Clay as part of the Contemporary Arts Center’s School Outreach Program. This visit provided students with a deeper understanding of clay as an expressive medium, exposed them to wheel throwing techniques, and provided them with a glimpse of how the largest ceramics studio in the world operates. During the workshop, students explored wheel-throwing techniques under the guidance of professional ceramic artist, Jon Stein, and the QCC team…including OHHS Art and Design alumna Kylie Cornelius!
The collaboration between the Contemporary Arts Center and Queen City Clay exemplifies the importance of community partnerships in arts education. By stepping outside the classroom and into a professional ceramics studio, students gained invaluable insights into process-based artmaking and problem-solving. This experience not only enriched their artistic practice but also connected them to Cincinnati’s broader arts community, reinforcing the idea that experimentation and interdisciplinary learning are vital to artistic growth.
OHHS Art and Design 