Middletown High School Launches First-Ever Tattoo History and Design Course

Middletown High School Launches First-Ever Tattoo History and Design Course

Middletown, Ohio — April 2026 — Middletown High School is proud to announce the introduction of an innovative new elective course, Tattoo History and Design, offered for the first time to juniors and seniors beginning in the Spring Semester of 2026.

This unique course explores the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of tattooing across diverse societies and time periods. Students examine the evolution of tattoo art—from ancient traditions to contemporary styles—while gaining a deeper understanding of symbolism, identity, and visual storytelling.

The course is taught by Middletown High School art teacher Mr. Rick Krebs, who has thoughtfully designed the curriculum to align with Ohio’s state standards for visual arts. While the subject matter is modern and engaging, the class maintains a strong emphasis on foundational drawing techniques. Students build skills in hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and shading—core methods essential to both traditional art and tattoo design.

Students also work with a wide variety of materials, including pencil, fine-tip Sharpie, and colored markers. To deepen their understanding of working on skin as a medium, students practice with henna markers, which help develop the fine motor control and precision required in tattoo artistry.

Beyond traditional classroom instruction, the course emphasizes hands-on learning. Students are developing their own tattoo-inspired artwork through both drawing and digital design techniques. The curriculum prioritizes creativity, cultural awareness, and responsible artistic expression, providing students with meaningful opportunities to connect art with real-world applications.

As a culminating experience, each student will create a professional portfolio of original designs. These portfolios will be presented on May 15, 2026, to a panel of professional tattoo artists and art educators, offering students valuable feedback and exposure to industry perspectives.

Superintendent Deborah Houser praised the program, stating:
“Mr. Krebs’ tattoo design class is a great example of what happens when educators truly listen to student voices and build learning experiences around student interests. The class is hands-on, creative, and deeply aligned with the kind of real-world, experiential learning we’re striving for at Middletown High School. We’re especially grateful for Mr. Krebs leading this work. Our students love this new class.”

The launch of Tattoo History and Design reflects Middletown High School’s ongoing commitment to innovative programming that engages students, fosters creativity, and prepares them for diverse career pathways in the arts and beyond.

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