“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. Over the past seven years, Drawing and Printmaking and NAHS students have created over 440 portraits for children in Madagascar, the Philippines, and Syrian refugees in Jordan, Puerto Rico, the Rohingya in Rakhine, Columbia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone. This year, students at OHHS created portraits for 30 Columbian children.

The children in this project all live in a very poor shanty town. Over the past
decades, many Colombians have fled to such shanty towns to escape the drug-
related violence, murders, and kidnappings in their country’s more rural areas.
Systemic poverty in these shanty towns leads to many on-going social problems,
especially for women and children. Fortunately, these children are being helped
by an organization that provides them with healthy nutrition and early childhood
education.

“The Memory Project” portraits are created by students enrolled in the Drawing and Printmaking course (grades 9-12). Once the portraits are delivered to the children, we will receive a video of their reactions to the artwork. Below are some of the highlights of the OHHS Drawing and Printmaking students’ resulting portraits:

The National PTA Reflections competition was developed as a way to encourage students to explore their talents and express themselves. The Reflections Program has inspired millions of students to reflect on a specific theme and create original artwork.  Each year, students in grades Pre-K through 12 are recognized for bringing the theme to life through film production, dance choreography, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. The 2023-2024 Reflections program theme is “I am hopeful, because…”.

Best of luck to the following students who submitted work for this year’s competition. Didn’t enter, there’s still time to submit work. The deadline has been extended to December 4th by 3pm. Stay tuned for results!

Visual Arts Entries

Molly Audretch
Evangeline Brown
Miles Frisch
Aubree Fuson
Kendalyn Kress
Aubrey Laib
Cora Mundstock
Ethan Ridder
Brenna Schirmer
Kaylyn Schirmer
Sophia Wehman
Ava Yerian

Photography Entries

Sophia Boone
Grace Cappel
Sophia McCarthy
Jillian Sibert

Literature Entry

Ava Wildenman, “Coal Town”

Experience the heartfelt tribute to our Veterans through the lens of artistry in “In Gratitude, We Gather: Veterans Day 2023.” Francine Gibson’s Adobe Photoshop class embarked on a creative journey that culminated in the creation of captivating large format themed posters for the annual OHHS Veterans Day Assembly, which took place on Monday, November 6th. Students meticulously followed the Design Process, starting with initial ideation and research, allowing their ideas to be informed and refined through an iterative journey. From rough drafts to polished final designs, their dedication shines through every step of the way.

In this poignant project, students delved into research and thoughtful planning, harnessing the incredible potential of Adobe Photoshop to craft visually stunning compositions. Each poster is a labor of love, combining skill, passion, and respect for our brave Veterans. Some of these posters feature images from last year’s event, weaving a thread of continuity and appreciation.

These posters serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and valor displayed by our Veterans. They encapsulate the spirit of “In Gratitude, We Gather: Veterans Day 2023” and promise to leave an indelible mark on our assembly, uniting us in appreciation and remembrance.

“Selections 2023” is a biennial exhibition and awards gala, hosted since 1983, that spotlights artworks created by talented area junior and senior high school students as selected by their art teachers. Congratulations to the 2023 OHHS Art and Design students selected for this year’s exhibition:

Selected by OHHS Art Teacher, Melissa Ambs:

Adrianna Russ, Grade 11: Ceramics with Mrs. Ambs
“Strawberry Set”, Ceramics 1

Olivia Young, Grade 12: Ceramics with Mrs. Ambs
“3D-2D Cake”, Ceramics 1

Selected by OHHS Art Teacher, Bridget Dignan-Cummins:

Zoey Pottinger, Grade 12: Ceramics with Mrs. DC
“Targaryen”, Ceramics 1

Maddie Weldele, Grade 12: Ceramics with Mrs. DC
“Coiled Confetti”, Ceramics 1

Selected by OHHS Art Teacher, Jamie Schorsch:

Leah Stolla, Grade 12: Studio Art AP 2D Design with Ms. Schorsch
“Sunrise”, Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Lizzie Schreibeis, Grade 11: Studio Art AP Drawing with Ms. Schorsch
“Making it Up”, Graphite on Bristol Board

The two “Selections 2023” Senior Art Scholarships: one of $5000 and one of $2000 for 2024-25; and the two Selections 2023 Junior Art Scholarships of $2000 each for 2025-26 (all renewable for three additional years with evidence of satisfactory progress) will be awarded by the MSJ Art & Design Faculty to outstanding students participating in Selections 2023.

The “Selections 2023” scholarship winners will be announced at the Recognition Ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023, and the Opening Reception Gala will occur in the SSG Art Gallery immediately afterward. The exhibition will be on display through December 1st, 2023.

Congratulations to the OHHS Art and Design student whose art was selected as a High Merit piece for the Summer 2023 Celebrating Art competition and publication! Receiving a Top Ten or High Merit award means the art was an exceptional piece. Out of thousands of entries received for the Summer 2023 contest, it stood out as being one of the top 5% submitted. Students who have art selected as Top Ten or High Merit work will receive special recognition in the book as it is displayed as a Top Ten or High Merit piece.

Congratulations to the following students:

From Schorsch’s Studio Art AP 2D Design and Drawing and Printmaking class: 

Anna Ackman
Marshall Shorten
Leah Stolla
Sophia Wehman
Lydia Wilson