Cincinnati Art Museum Hosts Teen Art Expo

Get ready for a week-long art exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The 10×10 Teen Art Expo will be held in the Great Hall from March 26-31. An opening party for the expo will also be held at the museum on March 28 from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  

Nearly 300 artists from grades 7-12 from the Greater Cincinnati area submitted artwork, but over 100 works of art were chosen.

Although some participants were not selected to have their artwork on display physically, there will still be an opportunity to highlight their hard work through a digital slideshow. The slide show will consist of artwork that did not pass the initial first round.

Whether the artist created a graphite masterpiece, a vibrant oil painting or a charcoal drawing, each work of art must measure 10×10 inches. 

According to Haley Perkins, the assistant director of interpretive programming, the sky’s the limit for the range of artwork students can create.

If the piece of art can be hung with clips and coincides with the museum’s guidelines, the realm of creativity is endless. 

With last year’s theme being nostalgia, many works of art were tied to positive memories of an artist’s past. A few artists made art pieces that reminded them of home, their favorite childhood TV show or anything that brought them comfort. 

The 10×10 Teen Volunteer Team chose this year’s theme behind the scenes.  

“It’s so much fun to see them come up with these amazing ideas,” said Perkins.  

The 10×10 Teen Volunteer Team consists of students grades 7-12 from various schools in the Queen City. In the fall, students are recruited to be on the volunteer team and help organize the expo throughout the school year. 

Students who want to join the 10×10 Teen Volunteer Team are chosen based on their application. A huge factor in application selections includes why the individual is passionate about being a part of the volunteer team. 

In addition to choosing the theme and selecting the artwork for the exhibition, the 10×10 Teen Volunteer Team will have opportunities to get to know other volunteers through ice-breaking activities and games and a chance to learn about different career paths at the museum. 

“I think it’s a great community-building opportunity. I think it’s wonderful for the teams to see lots of different viewpoints from their peers,” said Perkins. 

The 10×10 Teen Art Expo and the opening party are free. The week-long exhibition and opening party are open to anyone who wants to attend. The opening party will have snacks, a photo booth, and a DIY mask contest. 

If your teen is interested in being a part of the 10×10 Teen Volunteer Team, applications for next year’s team will open late summer, with volunteer dates starting in late September, according to the Cincinnati Art Museum.  

Applications to enter artwork for next year’s art exhibition will open in the fall.