OH has been recognized for the strength of its Fine Arts programs by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) with the School of Distinction Award. The recognition emphasizes the work of OH students and teachers across multiple areas of the arts.
According to Fine Arts Department Chair Michael Skura, the recognition has been the result of growth within the department.
“When I first became a department chair back in 2004, I had a five year plan,” Skura said. “By 2010, our kids were just really doing incredible work.”
The Fine Arts Department teaches about a wide range of artistic disciplines and mediums, including sculpture, pottery, jewelry, mixed media, digital art and photography. Skura said the department’s success comes from the relationship between teachers, students and their shared effort to produce creative and strong work.
“We just don’t have one superstar, we have a whole bunch of superstars,” Skura said.
Out of the estimated 700 high schools with membership, only nine were Schools of Distinction this year, making this award especially significant to OH.
As the issuing body of the award, the IAEA also emphasizes the connection between art education and students’ futures.
According to the organization, students involved in art, design, and media programs develop skills that can prepare them for “college, career, and citizenship.”
For OH students, our art program provides opportunities to develop skills while building relationships with other students.
OH senior and President of the National Art Honor Society Leona Bateman said the program makes art more accessible for students and encourages them to explore more of their creativity.
Bateman, who has taken several art classes, said the supportive environment has helped her improve her skills.
She also shared that being involved in art has helped her become more relaxed and able to express herself. She views art as a way to connect with others rather than focusing on the grade itself.
On top of the many opportunities to be involved in art within the school, OH Fine Arts Department focuses on opportunities for students interested in continuing art education after high school. The department offers an Advanced Placement track, Directed Study programs, and portfolio opportunities where students are able to present their artwork to college representatives and get feedback, gaining experience in portfolio building that can help them in college applications or careers in the arts. All courses and descriptions can be found in the SD#308 Course Catalog.
The department works to show students that the careers in the arts extend beyond traditional jobs or mediums. Students can pursue careers such as graphic designer, photographer, museum curator and other creative careers by creating art; students may find that their SchoolLinks results and job clusters reflect these art-related fields.
The IAEA explains that its Schools of Distinction is intended to recognize the “programmatic and professional excellence” in Illinois schools.
For OH, this recognition reflects the work of students and teachers in creating a strong artist community, and acknowledges the department’s efforts to give students opportunities to develop their skill, show their work and explore possibilities for their future careers in art.
For more information on OH Fine Arts, their Instagram feed features information and student work.
