In an increasingly automated world, the ability to think creatively, solve complex problems, and communicate visually is more valuable than ever. High school visual arts programs are no longer just “extra” classes; they are indispensable incubators for originality, empathy, and emotional growth.

The Orange County High School visual arts program encompasses that characterization emphatically, as exemplified by Secondary Fine Arts Lead Instructor Jamie Howie.

A graduate of Longwood University, where she was class valedictorian, and holding a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from James Madison University, Jamie Howie is currently in her 13th year of teaching at Orange County High School.

I recently sat down with Mrs. Howie in her classroom, where she illuminated her passion and enthusiasm for providing opportunities in graphic arts to her students.

“I’m very proud of the program we have here at the high school. I am a former student here, and I sat in this same classroom taking art classes. So, over the course of my 13 years here, it has been a priority of mine to provide experiences and opportunities for the students of Orange County. It’s very important to me to do good where I am and to build up the community that raised me. I still live in the community, so providing artistic opportunities for students is important to me.”

A comprehensive visual arts curriculum, embracing everything from foundational drawing and painting to advanced AP design and digital media, equips students with the tools and skills necessary to interpret their environment, find their unique voice, and develop their individual artistic perspective.

This is reflected in successful programs such as the one at Orange County High School, which extend well beyond simply instructing students how to color within the lines. They are purposefully designed to foster intellectual, aesthetic, and expressive evolution through a structured yet flexible curriculum.

Said Howie, “We have a budding program, which is wonderful. For many years there was one art teacher, and for the last five or six years, we have been able to add another position. There are two of us here now, and we have been able to expand our program offerings. Now we have started a new 3D design class and, for the first time ever, an AP 2D studio class. It’s great to see the students’ interest in these classes because they really enjoy having an artistic outlet, whether it be through visual arts, musical arts, or theatre. Being able to expand our offerings has been a very exciting prospect. We’re moving in the right direction as far as seeking opportunities to improve.”

In conjunction with those opportunities Howie speaks of, there will be a district-wide Fine Arts Fair, taking place at Orange County High School from Friday, March 27 through Saturday, March 28. This two-day event will feature K–12 art exhibitions, as well as music and theatre performances at various venues across the high school campus.

According to Howie, “One of our largest exhibitions, showcasing the talent we have in Orange County, is our Arts Fair. This is a district-wide exhibition showcasing visual artwork and performance-based art from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It’s a unique exhibition in that surrounding counties, including the head coordinator of fine arts from Albemarle, have approached me and asked, ‘Can I pick your brain on what you do and why this is such a success?’ It’s amazing to see surrounding localities looking at Orange County as a source of information. Each year, we try to continue what’s most successful while leaving room for new opportunities and ideas.

Friday night is our opening reception from 6 p.m. to around 9 p.m. Both days are open to the community. Typically, older students come on Friday, and Saturday features younger students. The Fair is completely free—no tickets, no cost. It’s a chance for the community to come and see all the good we’re doing and to showcase the incredible talent we have. We have students already accepted into premier art schools.”

Participation in the Visual Fine Arts Fair provides benefits that extend far beyond the classroom, representing much more than an opportunity for students to showcase artwork or perform musical pieces.

“The Fine Arts Fair has been going on since I was a student here. It used to be only in the lobby of the high school and the old gym. Now we’ve transformed it into a campus-wide event with performances in the field house and a visual art exhibition that takes over the cafeteria. Our cafeteria becomes one giant art gallery.

It’s a two-day event. On Friday, March 27, we’ll have secondary performances—middle and high school orchestra, band, choir, and theatre. We’re especially excited to bring theatre back this year. Then on Saturday, March 28, we shift the focus to elementary students. Schools collaborate on performances, and each art teacher transforms the cafeteria into a ‘make-and-take’ art space. Students participate in hands-on activities using different mediums and get to take their creations home—all free. They can also walk through and view the artwork on display. It’s hands-on fun combined with performance,” said an enthusiastic Howie.

Introducing students to a wide range of techniques provides the foundation for diverse artistic mediums that drive a dynamic and comprehensive art program. A high-quality curriculum, such as the OCHS Visual Arts Program, also integrates art history and critique to help students understand not only the process of creating art but also the motivations behind it and its connection to broader historical and cultural contexts.

Howie and her fellow art teacher, Emily West, along with other instructors in the Orange County school system, implement these concepts effectively.

“As far as our program is concerned, I truly feel like we’ve prioritized exposing students to a wide variety of art forms. Considering our local resources, the teachers here are incredibly supportive of the students and the instruction we provide. The time and effort teachers invest is in service of the students, and it shows in our accolades. Even though we’re not the largest county, we maximize what we have and create meaningful opportunities.

I hear from former students who come back and say the projects and experiences they had here really benefited them once they entered the real world.”

Additionally, contemporary high school arts curricula extend beyond the classroom by partnering with local museums, community centers, and galleries. These collaborations cultivate a sense of achievement and professionalism while providing valuable public exposure. Students gain opportunities to showcase their work and receive professional feedback, helping prepare them for future careers.

Howie is particularly receptive to expanding these efforts.

“We are open to community partnerships. A forward-thinking goal of mine is to create more opportunities for collaboration so students can see how art applies in the real world. I would love to work with local businesses and spaces willing to display student artwork—on Main Street in Orange and throughout the county, including places like Barboursville and Mine Run. We have students seeking community service opportunities who are eager to partner with local businesses and storefronts.”

High school arts programs like the one at OCHS serve as vital environments where students grow from novices into confident artists and critical thinkers. By providing a balanced, thought-provoking curriculum, educators like Howie and West prepare students not only to create art but to approach the world with creativity and analytical perspective.

Said Howie, “When I started here in the fall of 2013, I saw an opportunity to contribute to my community in a meaningful way, with students at the forefront. I wanted to bring the expertise I gained outside Orange back to students here, exposing them to new mediums and skills.

My specialty was stained glass, and I made it a priority to introduce students to that art form. At the time, I didn’t know of another high school offering stained-glass instruction.

We visited the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville last year, and the instructor was impressed that our students already understood the techniques. That was something I was proud of—creating opportunities that are exciting and unique for our students.”

High school is a pivotal time for artistic development, marking the transition from exploratory creativity to focused technical mastery. A comprehensive visual arts program like that at Orange County High School cultivates critical thinking, emotional resilience, and a strong sense of community.

“Spring is our busiest time, and March is ‘Youth Art Month,’ so it’s perfect timing. In addition to the Fine Arts Fair, our students participate in the ‘Young Visions’ exhibition at the Orange Art Center. That exhibit is curated and features selected student work, with a reception in April.

We’re also excited about Woodberry Forest bringing back its themed art exhibition. Students can submit work centered on a specific theme.

We’ll have an AP studio exhibition and a bake sale hosted by our National Art Honor Society. These students meet GPA and service requirements and volunteer throughout the event.

We’re also partnering with the Dolly Madison Garden Club. Students will create artwork, and garden club members will design floral arrangements inspired by those pieces. It’s a great opportunity for students to see their work interpreted in a new way. It’s a busy time for us,” says Howie.

A dedicated visual arts teacher serves as an essential contributor to fostering empathy and creativity within society. By emphasizing service, expression, and community engagement, Howie demonstrates that art extends beyond creation—it carries meaningful societal impact.

When a community recognizes the achievements of its student artists, it affirms their perspectives, validates their emotions, and reinforces optimism for their future. Leaders like Jamie Howie advocate for an environment where students feel pride in knowing their work is seen, appreciated, and respected.

“There are roots in this community, and that’s part of why I’m so passionate. I saw the potential to expand the program. This is my passion, and I’m grateful to share it.

I want people in Orange to be proud of the children and what they’re capable of. I love these events because I get to see excitement across all ages. Families gather around artwork and speak so highly of it.

We had a student win the congressional art competition, with her work displayed in Washington, D.C. for a year. That kind of recognition matters. I want the community to be part of those celebrations and share in the accomplishments of our students.”

Dedicated visual arts instructors like Jamie Howie and Emily West have transformed the OCHS classroom into a sanctuary of creativity, mentorship, and encouragement—cultivating a space where students discover beauty in the unconventional and find their voice through artistic expression.