Artsbridge, Inc.

2 days ago

WOOHOO!! 🎉 Two students from Washington County are the 2025 winners of the Donna Campbell Award for Excellence established with Artsbridge by the conductor of the American Pops Orchestra, Luke Frazier.

Alex Long of Fort Frye High School and Hanna Richmond of Belpre High School will each receive a $1,500 award from the scholarship. The Donna Campbell Award for Excellence was established by Maestro Luke Frazier, a Parkersburg native, and is administered by Artsbridge. The award, created in 2019, honors Frazier's grandmother, Donna Campbell.

Alexandra Long is a current senior at Fort Frye High School. She has been active in many of the arts opportunities throughout her high school career. Including Theater Club and classes from Art 1 to Art 4 and an independent study. She plans to go to the University of Northern Colorado to continue her education with a major in music business and recording arts. She hopes to work in music production or audio engineering while continuing to create music of her own.

Hanna Richmond is a current senior at Belpre High School. She says music has been an integral part of her life growing up. “I enjoyed singing at school talent shows and plays, so I was invited to perform at the Smoot Spring Sing in third grade. I enjoyed it so I properly joined the Smoot Theater Children's Chorus the following year. At the same time, I started to take violin lessons from Esther Cabobos, a student at the Marietta Bible College. In 5th grade I started to play the Alto Saxophone in class and later moved to the Tenor Saxophone. When I moved to the high school campus, I joined the Belpre High School Marching Band and have been a part of the band since.” says Richmond.

Richmond wanted to go into music education, but later realized she enjoyed performing more than teaching. She attended Washington County Career Center her junior year for the Graphic Design and Video Production program. Richmond will be graduating from Washington State College of Ohio with an Associate of Individualized Study along with her high school diploma thanks to these courses.

She plans to attend Ohio University this fall to study film. After graduation, she hopes to use her music and video production background to create films that inspire children just as so many have inspired her.

Applications for next year will be announced in early 2026. The award is available to graduating seniors in the Artsbridge service area who will attend college in the fall with a major in one of the fine arts. Frazier is a graduate of Parkersburg South High School, West Virginia University and Ohio University. He founded the American Pops Orchestra in 2015. ... See MoreSee Less

Artsbridge, Inc.

6 days ago

Artsbridge had the pleasure of presenting the Janet Frazier Award for Excellence for Abbie Burge at Parkersburg South High School this week! ✨

Abbie Burge, a Parkersburg South HS teacher, was awarded the second of two 2025 Janet Frazier Awards. Ms. Burge has been teaching for 20 years through Wood County. She's spent 17 of those years as an art educator at Parkersburg South and got her start at Edison Middle School. She is a graduate of Glenville State College. Ms. Burge is involved in many school activities including Fine Arts Dept. Head, Junior Class Sponsor, Prom Coordinator, Wood Whispers School Editor, National Honor Society Selection Committee, and Edison Volleyball Coach.

This award, which is named for one of Frazier’s grandmothers, honors Luke’s own experience with influential teachers who have inspired and impacted his career.

Artsbridge awards two teachers annually who are nominated as outstanding fine arts educators. Each teacher will receive $1000.00 for their classrooms. Additionally, two graduating seniors planning to attend college for an arts related degree are awarded scholarships through Luke's fund. Those students will be announced soon.

Creating opportunities for the next generation of music makers and music lovers is always a priority for Luke and Artsbridge! 🎉🤩 ... See MoreSee Less

Artsbridge, Inc.

2 weeks ago

Our fabulous Arts Education Coordinator, Paula Oliverio, shared the heart behind our work at the Wood County Schools Board of Education meeting. She presented on the programs Artsbridge offers to support arts education in our region—and how vital funding makes it all possible.

From in-school performances to hands-on art encounters, our mission is to make sure every student has the chance to experience the joy and power of the arts. We’re so grateful for Paula and for the support of our community and partners who help us keep the arts alive in local schools! ... See MoreSee Less