February 04, 2025 -- Stepping onto the second floor of the Ohio Department of Health feels like entering a vibrant gallery, where Columbus City Schools (CCS) students' creativity takes center stage. From the moment visitors exit the elevators, they are greeted by walls filled with student artwork, transforming the office space into a dynamic celebration of young talent.

“It means a lot to us to be able to have their artwork in our offices,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff. “People are coming to us from the outside regarding a lot of very important issues. It’s awfully nice for those people to come into that serious space and see something beautiful and something inspiring.”

Forty-eight CCS students have artwork on display, representing Sherwood Middle School, Arts Impact Middle School (AIMS), Columbus Downtown High School, Whetstone High School, and Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS). 

Students submitted their work in the fall, and the selected pieces will remain on display through late February. A new group of CCS students will showcase their artwork from Spring through October.

Dr. Brian Morton, CCS director of teaching and learning, credited both students and art teachers for making the exhibit possible.

“While we know that creativity comes from the minds of our students, the artwork and the skill building really work because of the work that art teachers do every day in the classroom,” Morton said.

For AIMS art teacher Billie Malechowski, the opportunity broadens her students’ perspectives.

“It shows them that their artwork is about more than just what they do in the classroom,” Malechowski said. “It can affect the community and it can affect other people’s emotions.”

Observing her peers’ work, tenth-grade CAHS student Morgan Connor, said it influenced her own artistic journey.

“In the future, I’m going to be an artist, so seeing other people’s art is inspiring,” Connor said. “I see the different techniques and mindsets they put into their art, and I can use that to better myself and my art.”

CCS applauds these young scholars for their artistic achievements.

Fall 2024 Ohio Department of Health Gallery Participants

• Kadijatou Alpha, Arts Impact Middle School
• Josse Amador Espoinosa, Columbus Downtown High School
• Georgia Baz, Whetstone High School
• Savant Bishop, Sherwood Middle School
• Iris Brown, Columbus Alternative High School
• Caitlyn Carsey, Arts Impact Middle School
• Markuis Clemons, Arts Impact Middle School
• Malik Collins, Whetstone High School
• Morgan Connor, Columbus Alternative High School
• Scarlett Cook, Whetstone High School
• Khloe Diggs, Arts Impact Middle School
• Elena Early, Whetstone High School
• Emma Gaberell, Columbus Alternative High School
• Allie Garrett, Columbus Alternative High School
• Calie Gates, Whetstone High School
• Lila Gentry, Columbus Alternative High School
• Lylah Gutierrez-Millo, Arts Impact Middle School
• Zoe Hall, Arts Impact Middle School
• Thnaa Hassan, Columbus Alternative High School
• Tony Hounmenou, Columbus Alternative High School
• Finch Iven, Columbus Alternative High School
• Esme Thompson Jones, Columbus Alternative High School
• Salma Khettat, Columbus Alternative High School
• Luke Kimbrel, Whetstone High School
• Anaiyah Lee, Sherwood Middle School
• Giovanni Rios Martinez, Whetstone High School
• Piper McGowan, Whetstone High School
• Paola Milan-Truillo, Columbus Alternative High School
• Charlotte Milligan, Columbus Downtown High School
• Fennic Milner, Columbus Alternative High School
• Jordyn Mitchell, Arts Impact Middle School
• Amelia Moore, Sherwood Middle School
• Tula Moore, Columbus Alternative High School
• Xolani Moorehead, Arts Impact Middle School
• Amir Muhammad, Columbus Downtown High School
• Erin Murphy, Whetstone High School
• Ernaline Newman, Columbus Alternative High School
• Naomi Pierce, Sherwood Middle School
• Eamon Powers, Whetstone High School
• Taylor Quest, Sherwood Middle School
• Nestor Ramirez Rodriguez, Whetstone High School
• Arya Sankey, Arts Impact Middle School
• Chris Siegrist, Whetstone High School
• Ryleigh Werner, Arts Impact Middle School
• Levi Williams, Columbus Downtown High School
• Tyani Willis, Arts Impact Middle School
• Camille Witcher, Columbus Alternative High School
• Lailani Woods, Arts Impact Middle School