While exploring creative expression in Fairview High School’s Innovation Center, students are also discovering the power of art to connect and
serve others.
Creativity in the Community is a service-learning art class that combines student creativity with real-world collaboration. This new, semester-long class empowers students in grades 10-12 to apply their artistic skills to projects that serve the city of Fairview Park, the Fairview Park Schools, and its surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.
“What we’re trying to do is mix the learning of art skills and integrate it with service learning and merging the two experiences together with community members,” Fairview High School art teacher Ryan Graff explained.
Graff, along with teacher Chris Kaminski, each teach a semester of the course. Currently, the program is looking to expand its reach, creating additional opportunities for collaboration.
Over the years, FHS students created numerous art projects in the community. In 2021, students finished a mural at Bohlken Park for a bike park. Then, over the next two years, students redesigned five crossing guard booths throughout the city on Lorain Road.
Most recently, in 2024, students completed a mural celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Fairview Park Fire Department. Another mural was also completed for Bohlken Park near the softball field.
“Last year was probably one of the busiest school years of doing all sorts of community things, between the booths, the fire station mural design, and the [school district] art show,” Graff noted. “That’s kind of when we thought maybe we could integrate this all into a class where other students could be a part of this experience.”
In its first semester, students contributed their skills to decorations for the Veterans Day assembly, signage for Start with Hello Week, and working on a design for a local VFW Hall mural. Graff noted that students also developed work independently, coming up with ideas and contacting potential partners in the community. These community projects also teach students how art intersects with civic processes.
“Just seeing all the work that is involved, even if it’s just a display in the hallway or the Innovation Center, it doesn’t just happen immediately,” Graff stated. “You’re going to start, and it might stall. You can revise and work on it, but it can take a lot of time.”
Now in the second semester, one class project that carried over from the first semester was a Fairview High School cornhole game set.
“We’re tying up the loose ends on that project,” Kaminski added. “A student is working on working on a coloring book [for incoming Kindergarten students]. Some students will start building sculpture stands like you would see at an art museum. Those will be used for our art shows from here on out. One student is working on a prop for the musical. Another is working on designs for a media wall for our athletic director.”
The class and Innovation Center offer many exciting opportunities for businesses and organizations in the Fairview Park community who are interested in collaboration.
“We have the ability to cut vinyl to make stickers, we’ve got laser cutting and laser engraving,” Kaminski noted. “We have traditional art supplies and the ability to work with wood. We have a studio. We can do interviews or record music if someone really wants to do that. If they wanted to make a 10-second social media commercial, we could help them with that. Whatever it is, just as long as they help pay for materials, if there are any.”
Local businesses interested in partnering with the class — whether to sponsor a project, request student-created work, or host a student art display — are encouraged to reach out. Teachers Ryan Graff and Chris Kaminski welcome collaboration that is educational, purposeful, and respectful of the students’ learning process.
“This class gives students a chance to create with purpose,” Graff said. “When their work is visible in the community, it’s a point of pride — and that kind of experience sticks with them.”