Ontario High School student's new mural unveiled at Richland Academy of the Arts

Zachary McChristy, a junior at Ontario High School, recently unveiled his new mural at the Richland Academy of the Arts.

A student of Ontario High School teachers Jim and Julie Buker, McChristy has been working on visual art projects for over four years and his work is often displayed in the hallways at Ontario High School.

In 2023, he had artwork displayed in the Ohio Youth Governor’s Art Exhibition in regional, district and state shows. This included a portrait art made entirely of masking tape that was displayed at the Department of Education building in Columbus and presented to the Ontario High School Board of Education.

McChristy presented the RAA staff with the design in the fall of 2023 and after discussions on where to showcase his mural, McChristy spent four weeks working on this project. He worked some mornings before school and late in the evening when academy classes had finished. Covering his work-in-progress with paper each day, RAA students became very curious about what was hidden behind the brown paper. When he revealed the mural on April 26, curious kiddos (and Marden Ramos) stood by in awe and excitement watching him add the finishing touches, according to Richland Academy.

"We are so proud of Zach’s artistry and honored to have his work displayed at the Richland Academy of the Arts," said Dance Department Chair Sarah Horrigan-Ramos.

This mural is proudly displayed on the second floor of the academy. Students are encouraged to take a picture in front of the mural and tag Richland Academy of the Arts on social media.

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Covering his work-in-progress with paper daily, everyone was curious