by Ella Brown
Oklahoma Baptist University will host MOSAIC, an immersive arts experience for high school students, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, inviting participants from across the region to explore and celebrate creative disciplines.
Presented by OBU’s Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts, the free event is designed as an arts-focused counterpart to traditional STEM days, offering students in grades 10 through 12 a hands-on introduction to fields such as visual art, music, theatre, film, public relations and social media.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in interactive workshops and demonstrations led by OBU faculty, with upperclassmen assisting and mentoring students during breakout sessions. Students will be placed into sessions based on their selected interests, allowing them to dive deeper into specific creative disciplines while experiencing OBU’s collaborative arts community.
“This is a great opportunity for us to welcome high school students on campus to a) celebrate the arts and its contribution to our campus and society and b) meet young scholars who get to see our campus in action,” said Holly Easttom, student publications advisor and professor of Journalism and Mass Communications.
“It is a great experience for faculty members because we can share our craft with others and it’s a fun day for the students. Every year has provided a great opportunity for all of us, and this year we have even more students coming. I am excited about tomorrow!”
In addition to workshops, attendees will tour Bison Hill, gaining firsthand insight into campus life and OBU’s arts programs. Organizers hope the experience will not only inspire creativity but also help students envision their future in a collegiate setting.
“We are excited to welcome young, aspiring artists and creatives to MOSAIC,” said Ben Baxter, chair of the Division of Art and Design and the Division of Communication Arts in a recent press release. “This event offers students the opportunity to explore their interests, develop their skills and envision how their creativity can grow in a collegiate setting.”
The event schedule includes check-in from 9 to 9:30 a.m., followed by an opening welcome session. Two breakout sessions will take place in the morning, with lunch scheduled midday. The afternoon will conclude with a campus scavenger hunt, giving students an opportunity to explore OBU in a fun and engaging way.
Organizers emphasize that MOSAIC is not only a day of creativity and exploration but also one that aims to leave a lasting impact. Students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts while creating memories that extend beyond the classroom.
With space limited, students are encouraged to register through OBU’s website. For more information, contact Andrea Hostetler or Rachelle Helmbacher through OBU’s academic offices.
Located in Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University offers more than 80 fields of study and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top regional universities in the West for 34 consecutive years. The Princeton Review has also named OBU among the best colleges in the Southwestern United States for 21 consecutive years.
