Honoring Our Heroes: Preparations are Underway to Celebrate Our Veterans

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Francine Gibson’s students are hard at work preparing a special tribute in honor of our nation’s Veterans. In the Digital Media Production 1 class, students are using their creativity and technical skills to design posters and graphics, while her Video Production students are hard at work crafting videos that highlight the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country.

Mrs. Gibson’s elementary students at J.F. Dulles are joining in the celebration by creating heartfelt artwork, writing thank-you letters, and learning about the importance of Veterans Day.

Behind the scenes, the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) students are designing posters and decorations to welcome our Veterans to the celebration while the Ceramics teachers and their students are handcrafting delicate poppy pins—symbols of remembrance and gratitude—as tokens of appreciation for our honored guests.

Throughout the high school, hundreds of students have written personal letters of thanks, expressing their heartfelt admiration for the bravery and dedication of our service members. It’s inspiring to see such collaboration and creativity across all grade levels as we come together to honor those who have given so much for our freedom.

Arts In Mind: Developing Your Creativity with Oak Hills’ Own Jamie Schorsch

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In the newest season of Arts In Mind: Visual Art, Oak Hills High School art teacher Jamie Schorsch joins a lineup of accomplished artists and educators sharing their passion, process, and purpose. The series, created by the Northern Kentucky Institute for Arts Education, connects students with professional voices from across the creative spectrum, helping young artists discover their potential and chart their path from middle school through high school and beyond.

For Schorsch, being part of Arts In Mind is an extension of her belief that art is not only a skill but a journey, one that unfolds through discovery, development, and reflection. “Art helps students find their voice,” she shares. “It allows them to make sense of the world around them and to see their own capacity to create change.” Each video in the AIM: Visual Art series is designed to support four key stages of artistic growth: discovering artistry, developing skills, extending understanding, and preparing for college and career. Through these steps, students gain insight into how creative practice evolves and how it can lead to meaningful opportunities.

Schorsch’s feature highlights her dedication to building creative confidence in her students. In her Oak Hills classroom, she encourages young artists to take risks, explore new materials, and connect their art to larger ideas, from personal identity to global issues. Her approach mirrors the mission of Arts In Mind: to empower students to see themselves as artists today, not just in the future.

Teachers can access Schorsch’s episode and others through Arts In Mind’s free video library. Each segment is accompanied by a Viewing Guide, helping educators spark discussion, introduce career pathways, or encourage independent learning. For students watching, these conversations offer more than just advice, they open a window into the creative life. They reveal that art is a lifelong journey, one built on curiosity, persistence, and passion.

As Arts In Mind continues to inspire the next generation, Jamie Schorsch’s inclusion in the series stands as a reminder of the powerful impact teachers have in shaping artists, thinkers, and innovators.

If you are interested in hearing more of Schorsch’s experiences and perspectives on art, check out Episode 24 of Art Hang, hosted by local artist, educator, and fellow Arts in Mind participant. The Arts Hang podcast series explores inspiring and motivational stories about Greater Cincinnati area artists and their artist processes.

From Heart to Art: Celebrating Creativity, Community and Compassion

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Beech Acres Parenting Center, in collaboration with the Contemporary Arts Center, is hosting the inaugural ‘From Heart to Art”, teen-centered 2D art competition celebrating creativity, community, and compassion. Area teens were invited to submit any 2-Dimensional form of physical art (drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, etc.) for the competition. A local panel of professional art enthusiasts will select winners on October 19th at the ‘For the Love of Kids Festival’ in Washington Park.

Best of luck to OHHS Art and Design students Baylee Moorman and Lydia Wilson who submitted entries for the competition!

Baylee Moorman
Lydia Wilson

Celebrating Art: Summer 2025 Top Ten and High Merit Student Announced

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Congratulations to the OHHS Art and Design student, Molly Audretch, whose art was selected as a High Merit piece for the Summer 2025 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 2025 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 AP Art and Design 2D Design class: 

Molly Audretch

Exploring ‘Creative Unity’ with the Taft ARC Program

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The Taft Museum of Art’s Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) program immerses high school art students in Cincinnati’s visual arts community, connecting them with artistic practices, exhibitions, marketing strategies, and careers in the arts. This semester, Drawing and Printmaking students are participating in the program, which includes one museum visit, four classroom visits, and culminates in a winter exhibition at the Taft.

As part of ARC, students are collaborating with Adoria L. Maxberry, a Cincinnati-based visual and performance artist, educator, designer, and founder of Most OutGROWing LLC. Guided by a belief in the power of creativity for personal and collective growth, Adoria creates immersive experiences that blend education, reflection, and community. Her work spans murals, fiber arts, illustration, and mixed media, often embedding hidden phrases and personal stories. She has led significant public projects, including Revolutionary Recipes: The Flavors of a Black Woman Amplified, and partners with organizations like ArtWorks. Adoria also teaches in schools, performs as a lead puppeteer and voice actress on the Emmy-winning children’s series Paige’s Place, and was recognized as a Black is Excellence: Unsung Hometown Hero by the City of Cincinnati in 2022. Through ARC, she will guide students in creating a large-scale collaborative artwork for the Taft exhibition.

During their recent museum visit, students toured the galleries and worked with Laura Kilian Jaster, Senior Manager of Learning and Outreach at the Taft. In the studio, they explored Creative Unity by making works representing their individual identities, then contributing to classmates’ pieces to reflect the diversity of the group. For many, it was their first time experiencing the Taft Museum of Art, a true community treasure.