Tag Archives: environment

OHHS Art and Design Student Awarded 2nd Place in Just Earth – Cincinnati Exhibition

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Just Earth – Cincinnati, in collaboration with new and longtime partners, aims to educate and facilitate action among residents of the Cincinnati region to address the intersecting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental injustice. The Just Earth Visual Art Competition, open to 2 categories of artists (18 and under, and 19 and over) called for submissions that expressed warnings for the future, images of celebration, images depicting regret or loss, or pieces of art depicting hope and exaltation over a healthy world and all of life’s cycles. Submissions were judged by a committee of local artist and art educators and prizes were awarded for 1st ($500); 2nd ($250); and 3rd ($100) place.

Tym’Shay Akins, a student in Ms. Schorsch’s Studio Art Foundations class, was recently awarded 2nd place for her submission, “Stop Chemical Waste”!

Stop Chemical Waste
Tym’Shay Akins

“My artwork responds to the growing environmental crisis caused by pollution and chemical waste in the ocean. I created this piece to raise awareness about the damage humans are causing to marine life through careless dumping, plastic waste, and toxic chemicals. The artwork is meant to confront viewers with the reality that the ocean is suffering because of human actions, while also encouraging people to take responsibility before it is too late.

One of the main symbols in my artwork is the large “X” placed over the fish. The “X” represents death, danger, and the destruction of sea life caused by pollution and toxins in the water. It symbolizes how marine animals are being harmed by chemicals, oil spills, plastic waste, and contaminated environments that humans create. I specifically included sea creatures like dolphins and turtles because they are animals people often love and connect with emotionally, yet they are still endangered by human behavior.

I used bright, bold colors to immediately grab the viewer’s attention. The vibrant colors are meant to draw people in at first, but once they look closer, they notice the darker message about environmental destruction. The contrast between the colorful design and the serious subject matter reflects how pollution is often ignored even though it is happening all around us. The words “Stop Chemical Waste” serve as a direct call to action, pushing viewers to think about their own habits and the ways they may contribute to pollution every day.

My artwork is also a warning for the future. If people continue to ignore environmental issues and refuse to change harmful behaviors, many ocean animals could disappear forever. I want viewers to understand that small actions, like recycling plastic bottles or reducing waste, actually matter. The piece challenges people not to simply feel sorry for the animals, but to recognize their own role in the problem and take action to help protect the environment. Through this artwork, I hope to inspire awareness, responsibility, and change before the damage becomes irreversible”.

OHHS Art and Design Student to Exhibit in Just Earth – Cincinnati Exhibition

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Just Earth – Cincinnati, in collaboration with new and longtime partners, aims to educate and facilitate action among residents of the Cincinnati region to address the intersecting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental injustice. The Just Earth Visual Art Competition, open to 2 categories of artists (18 and under, and 19 and over) called for submissions that expressed warnings for the future, images of celebration, images depicting regret or loss, or pieces of art depicting hope and exaltation over a healthy world and all of life’s cycles. Submissions will be judged by a committee of local artist and art educators and prizes will be awarded for 1st ($500); 2nd ($250); and 3rd ($100) place.

Jackson Mundstock, a student in Ms. Schorsch’s Drawing and Printmaking class, recently submitted this amazing piece and statement for the Call for Visual Art Entries!

ARTIST STATEMENT
“Stroll in the Acid Rain”
Mixed Media

While depicting the beauty of nature and wonders of our planet is great and all, I find showing the dangers and threats posed upon our environments more important, because if awareness of those threats is not spread and made known, no action can be taken against them, and the ability to celebrate the beauty of our planet will be but a distant memory. With this piece, I wanted to show off a threat that is more personal to regions like our own, and especially regions surrounding ours; acid rain. This piece depicts how acid rain is formed in the sky from fossil fuel burnings, but also its effects and the danger it poses to our environment, as well as the equally problematic and more worldwide issue of smog clouds looming over our society. I made the bottom third nearly completely coated in darkness, symbolically showing the dark nature and effects of acid rain, but also showing how the polluted smog clouds born from smokestacks and fossil fuels can leave us in darkness down on the ground as the air and rain gets worse and worse. On the trees, I made it so the leaves begin luscious and green at the bottom, but slowly become more brown and dead as the tree goes up, to show how acid rain kills off and destroys trees from the ground up. On the top half, I wanted the factory and smoke clouds to loom overhead as the person walks by, showing how we are powerless to the destruction of our skies and ecosystems if we don’t stand up and do something, as well as showing the source of acid rain. Of course, this piece is a bit exaggerated, as while acid rain is certainly deadly to the environment, it’s not deadly enough to literally melt the ground below us in acid puddles. However, the intent is merely to show the viewer that acid rain is dangerous and threatening, anyway, and that if we don’t take care of it, environments in regions around the world affected by acid rain will cease to exist, just like how it is shown here.

Pieces will be assembled into a curated show at The Annex Art Gallery @ The Pendleton Art Center, 1501 Republic St. Cincinnati, OH, on April 26th, 2024.