All Oak Hills High School students electing to enroll in an Art and Design Department course will develop a Competitive Advantage, Appreciation of the Arts, Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills, Interdisciplinary Connections, Social and Global Awareness, and Career Preparation related to Visual Communication.
Studio Art AP students from Groh and Schorsch’s classes were visited by some “Winged Wonders” as a part of the “Art in Root” program they are participating in this year. “Art in Root” is a three-step program designed to create connections between high school students and nature through art. This program features a combination of a field trip to a park, an in-class visit and an art exhibition to immerse students in nature and translate their experiences into fine art. This year, artists are working with the theme of “Winged Wonders” and will create artwork based on things with wings (birds, bats, insects, butterflies, etc.) that will be exhibited later this school year.
In early November, the students participated in the first portion of the program with a nature hike at Miami Whitewater Forest. For the second portion of the program, our Interpreter of Nature, Will, brought in artifacts from winged animals as well as some live animals. The students were able to learn more about the winged creatures that inhabit our parks while visiting with, and photographing, Curly the Black Vulture and Ozzy the Screech Owl. These 2D Design, Drawing, and 2D Design Photography students will now be creating artwork inspired by these experiences for an exhibition in the spring which is the culminating experience of the “Art in Root” program designed by the Great Parks of Hamilton County.
December 1st marks the annual observance of World AIDS Day, one of the most recognized international days and a key opportunity to raise awareness in communities across the world about the state of the pandemic, and critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread. This year, 2018, marks the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day.
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 22 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 remain uncovered as a way to draw attention to the possible future roles our current art students may play in our globalized future.
Throughout the week, over 300 Art Foundations students created a collaborative mural that focused on empowerment, and activism, through the arts inspired by the style of artist Keith Haring as a part of the observance of World AIDS Day. Students also created individual designs throughout the week, centered on Global Issues, that will be displayed alongside their collaborative creation.
The 2018 Thomas More University Juried High School Exhibition participants have been announced! Congratulations to the following OHHS Art and Design students whose work was selected for the exhibition:
Allyson Albertz
Paula Connolly
Kayla Javorsky
Mia Kuchenmeitser
Mayson Reperowitz
Emma Sedlack
Destanie Sexton
Skylar Simpson
Skylar Simpson
Mia Kuchenmeister
Paula Connelly
Destanie Sexton
Emma Sedlack
Mayson Reperowitz
Allyson Albertz
Kayla Javorsky
Works will be on display in the Eva G. Farris Gallery from November 12th through the 20th.
On a frigid November day, Studio Art AP students from Groh and Schorsch’s classes braved the elements to explore Miami Whitewater Forest with the help of our Interpreter of Nature, Will. These 2D Design, Drawing, and 2D Design Photography students will be participating in this year’s “Art in Root” program designed by the Great Parks of Hamilton County.
The Great Parks’ mission isn’t just preserving nature and providing education for future generations; it’s also committed to supporting the arts. “Art in Root” is a three-step program designed to create connections between high school students and nature through art. This program features a combination of a field trip to a park, an in-class visit and an art exhibition to immerse students in nature and translate their experiences into fine art. This year, artists will be working with the theme of “Winged Wonders” and will create artwork based on things with wings (birds, bats, insects, butterflies, etc.) that will be exhibited later this school year.
Congratulations to the OHHS Art and Design student whose art was selected as a High Merit piece for the Summer 2018 Celebrating Art competition and publication! Having a High Merit award means the art was an exceptional piece. Out of thousands of entries received for the Summer 2018 contest, it stood out as being one of the top 5% submitted. Students who have art selected as High Merit work will receive special recognition in the book as it is displayed as a High Merit piece.
Congratulations to the following student, a recent graduate from Ms. Schorsch’s Studio Art AP class: Kara Heckmuller!
