In a powerful demonstration of art as activism, Ms. Schorsch’s Art Foundations students recently created a temporary collaborative mural inspired by the Black Lives Matter! mural by Cincinnati artist collaborative Black Art Speaks. This project was designed to honor Day Without Art, a day of awareness for World AIDS Day, and to emphasize the importance of altruism in social change.

The mural, displayed in the Auditorium Hallway, features bold, colorful designs and messages from individual artworks that students created in class that expressed ideas related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, unity, compassion, and the power of taking action through art. For the creation of their individual artworks, students explored iconic street art activists Keith Haring and Banksy and selected an approach that resonated with their personal voice. Each student contributed an individual element, which evolved to form a cohesive piece symbolizing collective strength.

As part of their preparation, students explored the concept of altruism using vocabulary strategies rooted in the Science of Reading. They deconstructed the word into its morphological components: alter- (root meaning “other”) and -ism (suffix denoting a belief or practice). Through guided discussions, students examined how altruism reflects selflessness and empathy, connecting its meaning to both the fight against HIV/AIDS and broader themes of social justice that they explored through the UN SDGs.

“This was more than an art project—it was an opportunity for students to engage critically with issues affecting our world while building their skills in literacy and visual expression,” said Ms. Schorsch.

The mural serves as a vibrant reminder of the enduring role of art in addressing societal challenges and underscored the importance of community and compassion in creating a better world. The mural will be on display at Oak Hills High School through the spring as a feature of the 4th annual SOS ART Youth Exhibition, in which over 300 students from Southwestern Ohio schools participate, the OHLSD PTA’s Global Fair, and the OHLSD Art and Design Exhibition and Events.

As an extension, throughout the week, Schorsch’s National Art Honor Society students sold artworks and collected $100 in donations for UNICEF to aid them in their goal of working toward an AIDS-free world by improving protections for children and families against HIV infection and making treatment services more accessible.