Omina Abdurakhmonova – Staff Reporter

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OH Fine Arts Department Chair Michael Skura proudly teaches about painting styles using an example from the Painting 1 class. Sakura and his team use foundational skills as part of a broader program that has lead to earning the IAEA's School of Distinction. Credit: Omina Abdurakhmonova, 42Fifty

OH earns prestigious School of Distinction Award from IAEA

Omina Abdurakhmonova - Staff Reporter - October 5, 2026

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.