The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has an impressive legacy dating back to 1923. Over the years, the Awards have grown to become the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the U.S., and the nation’s largest source of scholarships for creative young artists and writers. A noteworthy roster of past winners includes Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, John Updike, and many more.

Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual and literary arts organizations across the country to bring The Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

Gold Key Regional winners compete on the National level for Medalist Awards. Danielle’s work was selected by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts for excellence in originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Less than 2,000 works received a National Medal, which places them within the top 1% of all submissions!

Congratulations to Danielle Amlin (12) who earned a Silver Medal for her piece, “Closet Chaos”.

Congratulations to OHHS Art and Design student, Lily McGuire, who was selected as on of the 120 Regional Winners from Ohio for this year’s JESA 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.

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.

An Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 2nd at 3:00 PM at the McCoy Center for the Arts in Columbus. The 120 Regional Winners and 30 Streeter Hadley Matthews Grand Award Winners are all invited to attend the ceremony to receive their awards along with their families, teachers and principals.

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.