The Oak Hills High School Gallery of Honor seeks to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of its alumni in the field of art and design. Nominations for induction into the Hall of Honor should meet the following criteria to demonstrate excellence in the realm of art and design:

Distinguished Creative Accomplishments
Significant Impact
Professional Standing
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Originality
Sustained Career Success
Community Engagement
Multidisciplinary Excellence
Exemplification of Oak Hills High School Values

It is our profound honor to celebrate an extraordinary artist and educator, Keith Benjamin, as we induct him into the Oak Hills High School Art and Design Gallery of Honor. Today, we recognize not only his remarkable achievements in the arts but also his lasting influence on students, colleagues, and the Cincinnati art community.

Keith’s journey began right here at Oak Hills High School, where his dedication to art became evident early on. He spent countless hours in the art room—so much so that his teacher, Jan Thomas, set up a dedicated studio space for him in the classroom’s back corner. This space became the birthplace of his artistic exploration, a sanctuary where Keith honed his creative voice.

After graduating from Oak Hills, Keith went on to earn his BFA in Sculpture from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the years, Keith’s career flourished through an impressive body of solo and group exhibitions, spanning galleries across the Midwest and beyond. His innovative works challenge our understanding of everyday materials, compelling viewers to see the familiar in striking new ways. His artistic voice has left a quiet yet powerful mark on the Cincinnati art scene, with pieces held in prominent collections both regionally and internationally.
Keith’s professional journey has been deeply intertwined with arts education. Since 1998, he has held numerous roles at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, beginning as an Assistant Professor of Sculpture and later rising to serve as Studio Arts Department Chair and Director of the Master of Arts in Art Education Program. Currently, Keith serves as the Interim Academic Dean, where his leadership continues to shape the institution’s artistic direction and educational impact. Through each role, Keith has remained steadfast in his commitment to nurturing students’ creative growth, empowering them to explore, question, and innovate.
Beyond his academic leadership, Keith’s dedication to the Cincinnati arts community is equally profound. Keith’s curatorial vision and mentorship have provided countless students and early-career artists with their first solo exhibitions, giving them confidence and direction as they launched their careers. His former students describe him as not only a remarkable teacher but also a caring mentor whose wisdom, humor, and generosity have shaped their lives far beyond the classroom.

Keith’s influence extends well beyond the academic walls of the Art Academy. His dedication to the Cincinnati arts community includes directing the Warsaw Project Space, providing emerging artists with a platform for their voices to be heard. His mentorship has guided artists through exhibitions, professional growth, and even personal challenges. As his former student and mentee, Joey Versoza, shared, Keith’s unwavering support and belief in his students have changed lives. Keith has opened doors for young artists, encouraged exploration, and cultivated a sense of artistic family that is cherished by all who know him.
Today, we celebrate Keith not only for his exceptional achievements but also for his profound impact on those around him. His ability to find beauty, humor, and even heartbreak in the everyday continues to inspire. For these reasons and many more, we proudly induct Keith Benjamin into the Oak Hills High School Art and Design Gallery of Honor.