BATAVIA, OHIO (April 28, 2026) – A countywide student art show commemorating America 250 kicks off Monday, May 4, at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College Art Gallery. 

The exhibit, which features artwork by more than 800 students, from 10 schools, six districts and each grade level across Clermont County, is free and open to the public. It runs through Saturday, May 23. 

“It’s gratifying to see so many students and teachers in our community come together to honor our nation’s founding with their artistic talents,” said Clermont County Commissioner Claire Corcoran. “The detail and creativity of their artwork is an inspiration for all of us.”

The projects range from individual paintings or drawings, photographs, sculptures, group collages and a large colorful mosaic made with found objects. Samples of the artwork are attached and copied below.

The collaborative effort to create the exhibit included art teachers and students from Batavia Elementary, Clermont Northeastern Elementary, McCormick Elementary, Merwin Elementary, Pattison Elementary, Williamsburg Elementary, Bethel-Tate Middle School, Milford Middle School, Bethel-Tate High School and Milford High School. Planning started last fall.

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners and the Clermont County Educational Services Center spearheaded the project. 

Nikki Vargas, Associate Director of Marketing & Community Arts at UC Clermont, as well as the marketing and public safety teams at the college, provided logistical and other support to make the show possible.

“I am very impressed by the incredible artistic talent of teachers and students across our county,” said Vargas. “I can’t wait for our community to experience this exhibit. For more than 30 years, the UC Clermont Gallery has been a hub for fine arts community programming. We’re proud to help bring the America 250 celebration to our region.”

The exhibit is being curated by art teachers Jamie Lewis with Bethel-Tate Middle School and Chrissi Hatfield with Williamsburg Elementary. 

In addition to Lewis and Hatfield, teachers whose students participated are:

• Adrian Hawk, Milford High School

• Christopher Luessen, Milford High School

• Tracy Huggins, Milford Middle School

• Mary Cork, Pattison Elementary

• Donna Kroeger, McCormick Elementary

• Jessica Blankenship, Bethel-Tate High School

• Katie Keuffer, Clermont Northeastern Elementary

• Elissa Luther, Batavia Elementary

• Victoria McIntosh, Merwin Elementary

About the UC Clermont Art Gallery and Exhibit

The UC Clermont Art Gallery is in Room 140 in the Snyder Building at 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, Ohio, 45103. It is free and open to the public. 

The gallery is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the gallery will have extended hours for this exhibit on the following Saturdays and weeknights:

• Saturday: May 9 & May 23 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 12: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Thursday, May 14: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Monday, May 18: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 20: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

A reception for students, faculty, staff, family and friends of the artists will be held Thursday, May 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.