Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.  Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

Last year, Cameron Suter (’14) had his piece selected for display in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC.  We will try and continue the tradition this year!

Congratulations and good luck to Taylor Helms, Marissa Ryan, Alyssa Weber, Vivien Smith, Jamie Wullenweber, and Kelly Cline on being selected to submit work for the 1st round of the competition.  Stay tuned for information regarding voting for pieces and who advances!

This past weekend, the state level of judging for The Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, took place. The Exhibition, now in its forty-fifth year, is dedicated to the educational and artistic advancement of our talented young people in the state of Ohio. The exhibition is open to all of Ohio’s 1,112 high schools, both public and private, chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education. The exhibition is a valuable incentive for our young people; it encourages an appreciation for the arts throughout Ohio and reflects the fine quality of art instruction and talent which exist in our state.

Congratulations to the Taylor Helms, whose self-portrait “Laced”, was selected to be one of the 300 works selected out of 12,000 regional entries, to be a part of the exhibition in Columbus. The exhibition opens at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, across from the State Capitol, in April, and closes at the end of May. At the exhibition opening, 25 students will receive the Governor’s Awards of Excellence and scholarship awards. Congratulations Taylor and good luck in Columbus!

Taylor Helms

Congratulations to Rylan Hixson on earning a National American Visions Medal from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition! Earlier this year, at the regional level, Rylan earned a Gold Key and was an American Visions Award nominee for the same piece, “Cross Section”. Five works, from across all categories and grades, are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best of Show” for each local program. As an added bonus, Rylan’s artwork has also been selected to be displayed as a part of the National Scholastic Art Exhibition in New York City.

This Rain Barrel Art Project was created to promote the use of rain barrels throughout the Ohio River Valley area through a creative and  educational medium.  Rain barrels continue to grow in popularity across the country. However, one of its biggest drawbacks is their dull appearance. Some people are less likely to use them given their negative aesthetic impact to residential and commercial landscaping, even though they conserve water and save money. We believe that producing beautiful artistic rain barrels that have unique painted details will make them more desirable and naturally increase interest to promote their use.  The Rain Barrel Art Project desires to educate people on environmental issues like storm water runoff, watersheds and water conservation.

This year, the OHHS National Art Honor Society students will be creating 2 rain barrels and the OHHS Art teachers will be joining in the fun and creating one as well!  The completed rain barrels will be on display at the Cincinnati Zoo from April 1st to April 23rd and auctioned off at Tunes and Blooms on the 23rd!

Check back for more images of the barrel progress soon or stop by the Creative and Performing Arts Festival on March 14th from 1-4pm to watch the barrels being painted by the artists!

The Rain Barrel Album:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206351608415969.1073741843.1440072751&type=1&l=998f5f35d7

The Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, now in its forty-fifth year, is dedicated to the educational and artistic advancement of our talented young people in the state of Ohio. The exhibition is open to all of Ohio’s 1,112 high schools, both public and private, chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education. Our purpose is to provide all budding young artists of the state with opportunities to advance their talent, whether that be through scholarships or simply experiencing the process of entering their work in a competition. The exhibition is a valuable incentive for our young people; it encourages an appreciation for the arts throughout Ohio and reflects the fine quality of art instruction and talent which exist in our state.

Congratulations to the following OHHS Art students whose work was selected to advance to the next level of judging for the 2015 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.  The exhibition opens at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, across from the State Capitol, in April, and closes at the end of May. At the exhibition opening, students receive Awards of Excellence and scholarship awards.

Taylor Helms “Laced”
Alyssa Weber “Canyon”
Jessica Adams “Mind’s Eye”
Sophia Schmackers “The Crazy Life of a Teenager”
Hailee Powell “Diva”
Jamie Wullenweber “Storm on the Horizon”

Congratulations to all of the students who were selected to submit work for this year’s competition!