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 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. Other winners’ pieces will be showcased at Warren Davidson’s Washington, DC, and district offices for the next year.

This year, the students from schools throughout District 8 submitted works for the competition and 50 works were selected through a constituent vote for exhibition and awards selection. 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!

Jordan Tinsley
Annie Riley

Join us for the opening reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, May 10th, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Springfield Township ArtsConnect – The Grove Event Center (9158 Winton Rd., Building B, Cincinnati, OH 45231). Stay tuned for the announcement of winning entries.

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 winning artwork will represent the 1st Congressional District of Ohio in Washington, D.C., by being displayed in the U.S. Capitol as part of a year-long exhibit.

This year, Greg Landsman, District 1 US House Representative, is hosting the exhibition of works and awards ceremony at the Contemporary Arts Center on Saturday, April 26th, from 1:00-3:00 pm. A panel of experienced artists and art professionals will judge the entries based on creativity, technique, originality, and adherence to the theme. Winners will be selected for each category, from these category winners, an overall winner will be chosen to have their artwork displayed at the US Capitol Building for one year. The winning artist receives a free round-trip airfare for the national winners’ reception in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to this year’s OHHS Art and Design students who reside in District 1 who submitted work for this year’s exhibition and competition! Join us in celebrating their accomplishments on Saturday and stay tuned for awards announcements.

Molly Audretch
Kendalyn Kress
Lydia Wilson

The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) recently awarded 2 OHHS Art and Design students with full scholarships, covering tuition and housing, to participate in the Future BFA program. Future BFA is the AAC portfolio and college prep program for rising High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual art, design, or creative writing in college. For three weeks in July, students from across the country assemble on campus in the historic neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the Future BFA program, students take a college-level course based on artistic research and independent projects. As a result, FBFA students produce artwork, design, creatively write, and develop their portfolios. In addition, FBFA students grow in their understanding of themselves and their practice as an artist and form long-lasting friendships with like-minded peers. Upon successful completion of the Future BFA Pre-College program students will gain 3-college credits as a transferrable studio elective.

Congratulations to Baylee Moorman and Lydia Wilson on receiving full scholarships to participate in this amazing summer school opportunity!

The OAEA (Ohio Art Education Association) High School Show showcases Ohio’s Emerging Artists’ artistic efforts. The Emerging Artist show is dedicated to showcasing the artistic efforts of students who have only had the chance to take one or two art classes in high school. The competitive professional forum is intended to prepare young artists for their creative future in college or in an art career. This showcase is designed to inspire new artists to excel in the areas of drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, computer art, photography, and printmaking. Everyone involved should be proud of the students who inspire, creative thinking, problem-solving, and skillful techniques.  

This year’s exhibition showcases over 130 works of art by students in grades nine through eleven from across the state. The work will be on display at the Riverside Methodist Hospital 3535 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43214 with a exhibition closing reception on May 10th, 2025 from 1:30-3:00 pm.

Congratulations to the following students on being selected to exhibit at this year’s Emerging Artist exhibition.