Alex and the other student artists will be honored at an April 23 ceremony in Columbus, where each will receive a certificate of recognition. Alex’s painting, titled “All That You Have Taken From Me,” measures 20 inches by 24 inches.

According to Alex, the piece represents our freedoms being taken from us: The flowers are symbolic of freedom and the hands represent those freedoms being destroyed. It was produced in part during the "Painting and Drawing II" course, taught by art instructor Kristin Kowalski.

Following the ceremony at the Riffe Center, attendees will walk to the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, which houses the exhibition, for its official opening.

Last month, Alex won the 9th Congressional District Invitational Art Competition. His winning entry, a charcoal drawing titled “Concentration,” will now be placed on display in the U.S. Capitol for the coming year. This fall, Alex received the Toledo Museum of Art Scholarship Award during the annual Focus Art Show for his "Baroque Still-Life" oil painting.

"The exhibition is a testament to the high quality of visual arts education that exists in our state," said Thad Ricker, executive director and coordinator of the exhibition. "It is vital that the community understands the value and importance of arts education, and the impact that it has on our young people. We hope that this exhibition fosters that understanding."

The exhibition is a cooperative effort between the governor, the Ohio Department of Education, colleges, universities, and business sponsors.