Cincinnati Children’s Sponsors Exhibit by Aspiring Artists
The temporary art studio at Cincinnati Children’s featured large windows that let in natural light, which the students took advantage of as they collaborated with professional artists.
Cincinnati Children’s Sponsors Exhibit by Aspiring Artists
The temporary art studio at Cincinnati Children’s featured large windows that let in natural light, which the students took advantage of as they collaborated with professional artists.
Sixteen Cincinnati Public School (CPS) students collaborated with five local artists to create powerful and inspiring works of art on Saturday, October 29. The eighth- through 12th-grade students visited Cincinnati Children’s Lincoln Building, where office space had been transformed into a temporary art studio, for a day-long painting session. They were tasked with creating artwork reflecting what health means to them for an exhibit called “Pursuit of Healthiness.”
Cincinnati Children’s is sponsoring the exhibit and partnered with CPS to identify the students selected for the project. They hail from Clark Montessori High School, Dater Montessori High School, Gamble Montessori High School, Hughes High School and Western Hills High School. Each student received a stipend for their participation.
“The ‘Pursuit of Healthiness’ is an inspiring art exhibit that highlights the talent we have in our community, including youths with artistic potential,” said Monica Mitchell, PhD, senior director of Community Relations at Cincinnati Children’s. “These artists captured the important connection between art and health, as well as the connection between art and wellness. We know that part of the pursuit of healthiness is allowing young people to connect socially and to express themselves artistically.”
The five local professional artists who worked with the students went beyond teaching art techniques, focusing instead on how to capture emotions, self-image and life experiences on canvas.
Said high school art student Carshaun, “Our teacher taught us how to look at ourselves in a more positive way. She talked with us, and we discussed our image of ourselves.”
Bailey, another participating student, shared her discovery that art can help her perspective, “This program was eye-opening. It was calming. I learned to work on my own self-portrait. I need to embrace my flaws and learn from them.”
The “Pursuit of Healthiness” project sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s identified aspiring artists in collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools.
Special thanks to the local artists who inspired us with this project:
- Javarri Lewis
- Hannah 'Jonesy' Jones
- Rashad Orlando
- Nytaya Babbitt
- Brent Billingsley, mental health specialist, College Hill.
The teaching artists also learned from the students.
“It has been cool to share my art with younger people. To see how far my self-esteem has come and to hype up their self-esteem is beautiful. It was an honor to be in the graces and spaces with them,” said Hannah ‘Jonesy’ Jones.
“Doing this project was great,” added Javarri Lewis. “My mom works for Cincinnati Children’s. I am familiar with the medical center and the great work they do throughout the community. It’s been very fulfilling to work with other artists I know and to work with the kids.”
Final artwork will be on display and listed for sale through January at Gallery at Gumbo, which is located in Over-the-Rhine and dedicated to the diverse works of Cincinnati artists who create for the greater good of humanity.
Proceeds from the sale of the art created by students for this project will benefit two local community health nonprofits: Every Child Succeeds and Cradle Cincinnati.