CelebratingArt.com is devoted to the promotion and appreciation of student art. The intent of their student art contest is to motivate student artists.The top entries are published in an anthology that will record the creative works of today’s student artists.

Students recently submitted work and a record amount of 41 OHHS Art and Design were invited to be published in the Fall 2016 “Celebrating Art”!  Only the best art is selected to be included in the full-color hardbound art book, “Celebrating Art”. Additionally, final judging for “Top Ten Artist” and “High Merit Artist” awards will be completed and announced soon. The following students should feel honored. This is not a contest where every entry is invited to be published and is a highly selective competition. Thousands of entries were not invited to be published. Being published represents a lot of talent, hard work and dedication from students.

Congratulations to the following students:

From Ms. Ambs’ Art Foundations and Ceramics classes:

Tiffany Riestenberg
Alexis Hetzel
Abbey Baker
Madelyn Clark
Katelyn Allen
Austin Gundrum
Justin Loudermilk
Avery Anderson
Jacob Matre
Jaicey Hollyfield

From Mrs. Dignan-Cummins’ Ceramics, Enamels Mosaics and Glass, Sculpture, and Studio Art AP 3D Design classes:

Holly Ahrman
Jennifer Argentiero
Andy Busker
Elizabeth Donges
Nash Gibbs
Ashley Glass
Emily Hetrick
Kiersten Hughes
Jordan Iori
Megan Kappen
Monika Kubak
Madison Mitchell
Ky’ara Murrell
Taylor Riestenberg
Madison Schaefer

From Mr. Groh’s Drawing and Printmaking class:

Olivia Lang

From Ms. Schorsch’s Painting and Mixed Media, Drawing and Printmaking, and Studio Art AP 2D Design and Drawing classes:

Hannah Welling
Mayson Reperowitz
Jessica Berra
Mia Kuchenmeister
Caden Adams
Louisa Anderson
Jenna Bertke
Rebekah Buechler
Bell Day
Julia Gomien
Devon Hanavan
Sophia Schmackers
Autumn Shelton
Megan Taylor
Sydni Crass

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Day Without Art (DWA) began on December 1st 1989 as a national day of action and mourning, aligned with World AIDS Day, in response to the AIDS epidemic. Over 800 U.S. art and AIDS groups participated in the first Day Without Art by shutting down museums, sending staff to volunteer at AIDS services, or sponsoring special exhibitions of work about AIDS. Over the years, Day Without Art has grown into a collaborative project in which an estimated 8,000 national and international museums, galleries, art centers, AIDS service organizations, libraries, high schools and colleges take part.  Oak Hills High School has been a part of this tradition for over 20 years.

In 1997, Day Without Art switched the approach to a Day WITH Art, in order to recognize and promote increased programming of cultural events that draw attention to the continuing pandemic. The name was retained as a reminder of the impact the disease had on the arts and entertainment communities, but parentheses were added to the program title. Day With(out) Art highlights art projects intended to inspire communities to action by creating art and awareness about AIDS.

The artist’s role as social commentator and activist has been engrained in the history of civilization and culture. Art and its creation as a response to social and political issues can be a powerful catalyst for influencing and raising public awareness resulting in positive social change. Art has a long history of using social commentary as a weapon of change or enlightenment. German expressionist artist Kathe Kollwitz created artworks that centered on themes of poverty, unemployment and worker exploitation during WWI and WWII.  Mexican muralist Diego Rivera used his art as a tool to vocalize for the oppressed against their oppressors. In April 1937, the world learned the shocking truth about the Nazi Luftwaffe’s bombing of Guernica, Spain- a civilian target- through Pablo Picasso’s great anti-war painting, Guernica. American Pop artist Keith Haring created public works to raise awareness about issues of drug abuse, corruption in government and societies- such as the Berlin Wall in Germany and South Africa under apartheid. These artists expressed their opinions and message to the literate and illiterate alike, and earned worldwide recognition.

To mark the anniversary of this event, the Art and Design Department at Oak Hills High School focuses on the positive and influential role the arts play in AIDS activism- as well as in other social, global, and political issues.  Artwork will remained uncovered as a way to draw attention to the possible future roles our current art students may play in our globalized future.

The OHHS Art and Design Department would like to encourage everyone to wear Red (the symbolic color aligned with AIDS awareness) or Black (the color representative of mourning those that have lost their battle with the disease) on Thursday to show your support of the event.

Mural Image Selection from the 2014 DWOA

The 17th Biannual Student Photography Exhibit will be opening at Aroma’s Java and Gelato Friday, December 9th, at 7pm. Come join them for great photography and the camaraderie of young artists. The exhibit showcases Photography students from Darkroom, Digital and Alternative, and Studio Art AP 2D Design Photography courses at Oak Hills High School. All work will be for sale and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the artist.

Come show your support! The party usually goes well past 9pm. 

“The Memory Project” is a nonprofit organization that invites art teachers and their students to create portraits for youth around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents, and extreme poverty.

This year, students at OHHS will be creating portraits for 45 Syrian children who are displaced and living in refugee camps as a result of the civil war raging for the past 5 years in their country, resulting in one of the most complex humanitarian crisis in the world. Many of the children have lived in camps with makeshift tents and shelters for years, being kept alive by donated food of foreign governments and aid agencies. This is the only life many of these children have known.The ultimate goal of the project is to create portraits to help the children feel valued and important, to know that many people care about their well being, and to act as meaningful pieces of personal history in the future. The project also provides an opportunity for students to practice kindness and global awareness.

“The Memory Project” portraits are created by students enrolled in the Drawing and Printmaking course (grades 9-12).

About “The Memory Project”

The 2016 Madagascar Delivery

Below are images of the OHHS Drawing and Printmaking students selecting their Syrian child: