YOUTH ART MONTH — Art students in the Steubenville City School District showcased their talents in school and during community activities — especially throughout March when they recognized Youth Art Month. Taking part were, above, junior Elijah Ferguson, who turned paper mache into a sculpture. Below, seniors exhibited their creations, including, from left, Natalie Romanyak, Dalaney Oxier and Courtney Shriver. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Students in Steubenville City Schools highlighted their creativity during Youth Art Month, celebrated throughout March.

During the month, students participated in art shows, exhibits, fundraisers and school and community activities to celebrate visual art education. Those in grades kindergarten though 12 participated. Steubenville High and Harding Middle schools expressed themselves in a variety of ways.

High school art teacher Emily Miller explained her 89 pupils crafted unique pieces showcasing their abilities. The students took part in nine-week courses, from beginning to advanced sessions, and learned about the elements of art and principals of design.

“We touch on a variety of art styles, exposure to famous artists and connecting their style with the students’ personal style,” Miller said, noting they took part in activities all year, including an art show at the Historic Fort Steuben this winter and entering a contest through the Ohio Art Education Association as part of Youth Art Month. Other activities included the JB Green Team’s annual Trashy Art Show, where student Natalie Romanyak took first place for the high school division with her bottle cap creation, “CAPtivating.” Miller noted she and 20 pupils will head to West Liberty University’s Media Arts and Design Day on Tuesday to take part in workshops.

“For Youth Art Month, which is also Women’s History Month, classes learned about a handful of women artists, such as Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama, just to name a few,” Miller announced. “Students then applied notable aspects of the artist with their own ideas to create a 2-D or 3-D art piece of their own. Some student works are currently on display in the high school art showcase.” Students worked on sculptures inspired by hand-blown glass artist Dale Chihuly.

“My students’ abilities vary,” Miller continued. “And one key point I stress, is that in art, everyone can create something different, but yet, all succeed.” She commented how she enjoys teaching the subject because she helps students explore and find their own style.

“I love what I teach because it is always different and changing with their unique talents and ideas,” she said. “I believe art helps create a growth mindset over a fixed mindset. This is apparent through beliefs such as ‘I’ll never be as smart as that person,’ as compared to ‘Everyone is talented in their own way,’ or ‘This is too hard,’ as compared to ‘With more practice, it will be easier.'”

At Harding Middle School, art teacher Amanda Wineman instructs a total of 124 pupils in grades 5-8. She teaches five classes for an eight-week period and can see 500 or more students during that period. Pupils begin by learning elements of art and principles of design in fifth and sixth grades, honing their techniques over time.

“I teach Ohio Visual Art standards and use them to develop my own curriculum,” Wineman said. “In seventh grade, I focus on drawing and try to boost their confidence by showing them they can draw using techniques that I actually used from Betty Edwards’ book, ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.’ We then go into perspective and other projects that interest student learning.”

Wineman noted students kept busy by taking part in community and school activities throughout the year, including a Stallion Art Show in early March during the Making Memories in the Middle event held for incoming fifth-graders. Students had the opportunity to cast a vote, with the top 10 chosen by the student body, a top three recognized as honorees and a teacher’s choice award.

“My students’ abilities come in a wide range, from not wanting to try in fifth grade, to being able to create a body of work within hours of eighth grade,” Wineman continued. “I believe as their art teacher, my job is to foster all students to the best of my ability as a highly-qualified, certified art educator. When it comes to engaging students in my art room, it has changed with every year I have taught. I always find myself changing lessons to engage student learning. Art is for all — the young, old, artistic, athletic, confident, insecure and any other type of person you can include in those categories. Everyone can create.”

Wineman said students made their mark in the community this school year. While attending the Christmas at the Fort event, students created a variety of holiday-themed art, ranging from cardboard collages, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings and frescos, creating nativity scenes, gingerbread men and Andy Warhol-inspired works.

Patrick McLaughlin at Nelson’s Fine Arts and Crafts framed the artwork pieces for students. Three students’ works were entered into the Center for Music and Art’s “Voices Unbroken: Art as Resilience” showcase for the ALIVE Shelter, detailing expressions of female empowerment.

Wineman said she was interested in exhibiting artwork at the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County and was looking to have students design a mural for the City of Steubenville with a focus on its past, present and future.

If approved by city leaders, the work would be done at an underpass in four phases. She noted she is hoping to begin the process in May.