They say you reap what you sow, and for Milford High School graduate Aya Lewis-Rogers, what was sowed—quite literally—were seeds. What was reaped, however, was a prestigious spot in the Ohio House of Representatives High School Student Art Exhibition and a trip to Columbus to showcase their unique self-portrait, made entirely from seeds.
The piece, a creative and intricate self-portrait, was inspired by a fascination with using unconventional materials in art.
"I thought it would be a cool way to illustrate my growth as a person," explained Lewis-Rogers. “It's probably one of my more technically strong pieces, and I think it has a nice intentional aspect to it as well.”
The nomination for the exhibition came through Milford art teacher Mr. Luessen, who selected Aya because of his admiration for the work. "I was super excited and honored," Lewis-Rogers said, describing the moment when the opportunity to represent Milford in this statewide exhibition became reality.
As the exhibition approaches on September 28, anticipation builds to see the work of other young artists from across Ohio. Although attending the event alone brings some nerves, representing Milford in Columbus is a source of pride. "I’m really excited to go, but I’ll be the only one from Milford, so it’s a bit nerve-wracking," admitted Lewis-Rogers.
Currently studying visual arts at Denison University, Aya hopes this exhibition will open doors to more opportunities in the future. "I’m really excited to see where art takes me in college," shared Lewis-Rogers, who is already exploring various mediums like photography as part of the journey toward a visual arts major.
Aya’s advice for other Milford students? "Push the boundaries and make the most of every project! That’s where my artistic success came from—expanding upon class projects and pushing myself to create something more."
Aya's family will be joining the journey to Columbus to celebrate this significant achievement, and deep gratitude remains for their unwavering support. "They’re really proud of me," Aya shared, "and I’m so grateful for their encouragement in all my artistic pursuits."
As the trip to Columbus approaches, Aya's journey proves that with hard work, creativity, and a bit of unconventional thinking, one truly reaps what is sowed.