Creating connections through art

Hamilton, Ohio – The right teacher can make all the difference.

Bell Day, an instructor at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, would know. Not only is she becoming that teacher for a growing number of students, but she’s also following in one of her own teacher’s footsteps to get there.

“When I got to high school, art really became important to me,” Day said. “I liked art when I was younger, but we didn’t have dedicated art instruction. My art teacher was also my math teacher. Art wasn’t the priority.”

Award-winning educator Jamie Schorsch – who also teaches at the Fitton Center – taught Day at Oak Hills High School. Taught her well enough that Day matriculated to the prestigious University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning in 2017.

With an eye toward pursuing art therapy, Day left DAAP after three years, but graduated from UC in 2022 with a degree in psychology and a minor in fine art.

After a year in the corporate world, Day moved to Hamilton in search of something different. She visited the Fitton Center, liked what she saw and sent in a resume.

Since March of 2024, Day has blended both of her academic disciplines by teaching art at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health through the Fitton Center’s outreach program. She works with about 20 pupils a week and said her psychology background helps her connect with students who see art both as an escape and as an aspirational pursuit.

“Every day is different,” Day said. “You never know what they’re going through in their lives, but with art they can get a sense of normalcy. They see art as something they can pursue that will help them express themselves in a positive way.”

Day taught two of the first three classes offered at the Fitton at the Foundry satellite studio in Liberty Center last fall.

This spring, she added another student body to her workload, helping the Marshall High School Hamilton Campus establish its inaugural visual art classes. She looks forward to returning in the fall to continue growing the charter school’s program.

“It’s nice to be with the high schoolers because we can have some more discussion,” Day said. “They’re a little older, a little more engaged. Art is their relaxing time and I can get to know them better.”

Day leads five different groups of 5- to 9-year-olds during the Fitton Center’s 2025 Summer Camp Creativity season, starting with the Time Travelers Camp that began Monday, June 9. She’s also teaching Storybooks Come Alive Camp the week of June 16 and Art Adventures the week of June 23. Her Top Secret Camp the week of July 14 already sold out, but a few openings remain for Colorful Creatures Camp the week of July 21.

“I’ve always had that drive to help people,” Day said. “Combining two of my favorite things – art and helping people – has always been important. This is a great way to do that.”

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture