Exhibition celebrates the bond between art educators and students

The School of Art + Design's exhibition, State of the Arts: Mentor + Mentee, showcased works from high school artists and their teachers from across the Ohio region. 

The School of Art + Design brought together educators and students for its biennial State of the Arts: Mentor + Mentee exhibition, hosted in the Research and Technology Center Galleries. The juried exhibition featured 13 art teachers and 23 students from across the state of Ohio. Each teacher participated as a mentor, with their students taking on the role of mentee.

The exhibition, presented by the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, accepted all visual art forms. Faculty, staff, students and the public were all welcome to view the work. Each participant was recognized with a personalized certificate celebrating their creative achievements.

The goal of the exhibition was to recognize and connect art educators across the region while professionally supporting high school artists in their creative process. Educators were asked to identify students from their schools and complete the submission form together with them, making the application process itself a collaborative one.

The exhibition embraced the creative partnership between educators and students, presenting each participant with a personalized certificate of recognition. Beyond celebrating these current achievements, the event also acted as a catalyst for future growth. Select students were considered for scholarships to the Chaddock + Morrow Summer Arts Programs, highlighting the university's commitment to investing in the future of Ohio’s artistic community.

Teachers and students applied together, emphasizing the collaborative heart of the exhibition. By pairing their art on the gallery walls, the exhibition highlighted the mentoring relationships that nurture young artists both inside and outside the studio.

Each entry allowed up to three works, giving students the opportunity to present a body of work rather than a single piece. The result was a gallery that gave visitors a fuller picture of each student's creative voice and the relationship behind it.

The full collection of works from high school artists across the region was on display for one final evening. A closing reception marked the end of the exhibition, uniting artists, educators and the community in celebration. Guests had the opportunity to explore diverse mediums of student works, engage with the artists and reflect on the stories behind each piece. 

By recognizing each mentor and mentee, the event offered a meaningful moment to acknowledge the talent and dedication defining this year’s showcase. The evening was not only a chance to view exceptional works one last time, but also an opportunity to connect with the community that makes the arts thrive. It served as a celebration of the artistic community, designed to professionally support high school artists and connect art educators across the region.