In a celebration of creativity and emotional expression, Diley Middle School's own 6th grader Andrea Vasquez received an Honorable Mention for her artwork at the 2025 Youth Art Month Flag/Graphic Design Exhibition, as reported by Pickerington Local Schools. At noon on Saturday, March 1, Riverside Methodist Hospital will host a ceremony recognizing the young artist and her teacher, Victoria Bannerman, for their work under this year's healing theme.
The contest, sponsored by the Ohio Art Education Association, centered around the theme "Healing Through Color," challenging students to explore the restorative nature of art. Andrea Vasquez's artwork, a reflection of her own experiences, embodies the comforting qualities of creativity. "This art piece is about healing through color, because it represents how I felt when I had to heal with art to calm me down when I went through any type of difficult situation," Andrea explained. "Also, art helped me regain my creativity when I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, since I didn’t know what else to do with myself. Anyways, this art piece shows healing through color, because this is how I looked when I was healing."
Art teacher Victoria Bannerman, who supported Vasquez, presented the student's work for the competition. She views the school's art program as a cohesive and inspiring community essential to fostering young talent. "Our District’s art program is a united and inspiring community where creativity thrives. It’s an incredible opportunity to help students reach their full potential while sharing a passion for the arts," she shared.
For Vasquez, the Honorable Mention serves not only as a form of recognition but as a stepping stone to future aspirations. Expressing her shock and gratitude, she revealed her goal to follow in Bannerman's footsteps. "When I get older, I want to be a designer, but also an art teacher like Ms. Bannerman," Andrea said. "I want to teach kids how to express their feelings through art and make someone smile." She continued to reflect on the impact of the recognition: "It means, like, a lot to me, and honestly, like it’s surprising that I got this. It just kinda hit me to know that I worked so hard to accomplish this and to accomplish everything that I’ve done for this art piece."
The achievement underscores the talent within Pickerington Local Schools and the commitment of art educators like Ms. Bannerman, who foster a space for expression and connection through art. As Youth Art Month celebrations commence, the school district and community are encouraged to support and advocate for the arts programs that contribute to the development and recognition of such promising young artists.
