Submitted photo Mia Tisone, a senior at Canfield High School, will have two of her art pieces hung at the Rhodes Tower in downtown Columbus as part of the 2026 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. She earned the spot by having her pieces chosen among the best 300 in the state. In January, Tisone won three Gold Keys and one Silver Key at the Regional Scholastic Art Awards.

Six local students had their art pieces chosen to hang in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in downtown Columbus as part of the 2026 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.

Regional and state judging took place earlier this month and nearly 6,000 pieces were submitted from across the state, according to Hubbard High School art teacher Josh MacMillan, director for Region 11. Students from the Mahoning Valley had 36 pieces win at the regional level, earning them the right to compete for the top 300 spots in the state.

Students who competed in the state finals were from Canfield, Cardinal Mooney, Hubbard, LaBrae, Lakeview and Ursuline. MacMillan said students had a 0.05% chance of being chosen, and he said he is pleased to see that six students made the cut — two from LaBrae, who are taught by Kate Kistler, and four from Canfield, who are taught by Kevin Hoopes.

“Competing with the largest areas in Ohio such as Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton is always going to be difficult, but thanks to the students and the phenomenal teachers we have in the area, we continue to show our students are as gifted as any across Ohio,” MacMillan said.

Both Kistler and Hoopes will have a piece in the cameo show that will be displayed in the governor’s office. The cameo show was selected by jurors to be a part of an online “cameo” exhibition at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and is designed to showcase the exceptional artwork of high school students. This digital display will not be open to the public, but will be viewable in an online gallery at oaae.net.

The two students chosen for the cameo display are Truly Jacops of LaBrae, who also will have a piece hung at the Rhodes Tower, and Annelise Noble of Canfield.

The remaining three pieces — by Canfield students Mia Tisone (two pieces) and Zoe Dillinger — will be framed and taken to Columbus, where they will be hung from April 12 until May 15 at the Rhodes Office Tower.

“Moments like these feel surreal; it’s like all the hours and effort spent are finally being recognized publicly. It makes it feel all the more meaningful,” Jacops said.

“Truly and LaBrae High School are fortunate to have one of the best art teachers in our area, both in her knowledge of what she teaches, how she teaches and the character she displays with everyone around her,” MacMillan said.

When Truly was asked about the impact Kistler has made on her and her students she

said, “She gives us the tools, guidance, and tips needed for us to unleash our creativity and fullest potential. Her support is something that has impacted how I approach art, and I will carry that with me wherever I go.”

“Being recognized this early in my high school career is incredibly meaningful, and shows me that my abilities and ideas can stand out, and it is possible for me to achieve my goals. This brings me more confidence in my skills and what I can create.It also motivates me to keep pushing and challenging myself with new techniques, mediums and styles,” Dillinger said.

“Before this project, I hadn’t used charcoal ever before, but it quickly became one of my favorite mediums to work with. In the future, I hope to find more materials that I enjoy working with and to develop my own distinct art style. Overall, this achievement is pushing me to keep growing and to keep improving.”

Tisone, a senior, reflected on her growth as an artist over the years and the influence Hoopes has had on her.

“Over the years, I believe I have grown as an artist in many ways. I used to think art was about creating the most realistic drawing, and I felt very limited in what I could draw, often choosing references without much thought behind them. Now, after many classes with Mr. Hoopes, I have learned the importance of creating pieces with a story behind them,” she said.

“Mr. Hoopes has also aided me in becoming a more confident artist and has encouraged me to embrace my own distinct art style. I tend to create art with more colors and contrasts in it than the actual reference, and while I am able to create detailed faces, I allow clothes and backgrounds to be much more impressionistic. I used to doubt these habits, but Mr. Hoopes reassured me countless times, compared my impressionism to Mary Cassatt’s, and taught me new concepts like chiaroscuro to help explain why having a distinct style does not detract from my art. I am so thankful for every minute I have spent in our school’s art room and for all of the encouragement from my family, my teachers, and my peers,” Tisone added.

“I have been fortunate to know Kevin and Katie as friends through their tireless work to push their students and give them these opportunities. The most incredible aspect of both is their humility and credit they always pass directly to their students. If you congratulate them, they will always say the kids did all the work,” MacMillan said.

“I can say these schools, along with the others who lead their students with courage, make a difference everyday in their classrooms and schools’ hallways. There is a reason the two of them would be on the Mount Rushmore of art educators in the Mahoning Valley,” he added.

Jacops, Dillinger and Tesone will be welcomed to a reception on April 12 at the

Verne Riffe Center for Government and the Arts Davidson Theatre in downtown Columbus. After the ceremony, the students and their families will make their way to the Rhodes Tower for the official hanging ceremony.