The westside community came out for an evening of art and nature when the Highland Youth Garden hosted its first art exhibition at its indoor space on Sept. 13. Aptly titled “Urban Oasis: Seeds of Art Growing Community,” the event featured more than 40 pieces of artwork from six local artists who taught workshops for adults and children this summer at the Highland Youth Garden. A portion of their sales were redirected back into the community for programming and continued cultivation of the garden on S. Wheatland Avenue. The event, said HYG executive director Shelly Casto, was made possible thanks to Hilltop artist Karin Weston who applied for (and received) the Neighborhood Arts Connection Fellowship from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Casto and Weston said they hope to host more art exhibitions from professional artists and budding student artists in the future. Here, artist Jeff Ostrowski poses with his mural that is located on the fence outside of the Highland Youth Garden House.
