Bay High School’s artist-in-residency program

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — The benefits of an arts education are well documented, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills in students. At Bay High School, a unique artist-in-residency program is expanding access to the arts even further, thanks to a grant from the Ohio Arts Council’s TeachArtsOhio program.

Walking through school halls, students and staff will soon see more than painted murals, they will see a reflection of their community, values and inclusivity. But this is no ordinary art class.

Amanda DiLisi, a 2017 graduate of Bay High, returned this year as the school’s first-ever artist-in-residence, guiding students through a mural project that will leave a lasting legacy.

“I want people to know that art shouldn’t just be taught as a way to do art as a potential career path but also as a way for students to feel like they have a tool to use as a therapeutic outlet,” DiLisi said.

DiLisi’s presence at Bay High is made possible through the TeachArtsOhio grant—an opportunity discovered by educational aide Amanda Rutan, who saw firsthand the impact art could have on students of all abilities.

“I was able to be in an art class and I saw the benefit that it was having on students of all abilities,” Rutan said. “I kind of did a little research and was able to find the grant offered by the Ohio Arts Council and brought it to our administration.”

With grant funding secured, students now gather twice a week during free periods to collaborate on four large murals, each representing a core value of Bay High School’s PACK initiative: Punctuality, Accountability, Community, and Kindness.

Principal Jason Martin emphasized the significance of these values.

“It really focuses on emphasizing the importance of punctuality, accountability, community, and kindness as goals for our students here,” Martin said.

The project also aligns with Bay High’s Best Buddies program, which fosters friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Henry Mediate, a senior and Best Buddy volunteer, says the project has been a meaningful experience.

“Here they’re treated like everyone else, and it’s very good to see that foster and grow throughout this year,” Mediate said. “I’m really happy and proud of everyone else for being accommodating and caring about each other.”

As the murals near completion, students recognize the impact they will leave behind. Olivia McIntire, a senior, is excited about the idea of returning to Bay High in the future and seeing the artwork still on display.

“So it’s really amazing to be able to do this and then come back maybe later in life and still see that I have made an impact on the school,” McIntire said.

By the end of the school year, the murals will be installed at key entrances, ensuring that the message of creativity, inclusivity, and school pride endures long after the students have moved on.

For more information on the TeachArtsOhio program and how it’s supporting arts education across the state, visit the Ohio Arts Council’s website.

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