Elementary Division
Co-Chairs
Liz Kengeter-Bash
Melanie Antram Ingraham

​Questions? Contact ​​[email protected]

Welcome to the OAEA Elementary Division page!  As your Division Chairs, we hope to cultivate a sense of community among elementary art educators and provide support and inspiration through professional development and social opportunities.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding programs and activities for our Division. If you have questions please contact us at  [email protected]  We look forward to working with you!

Liz and Melanie met years ago through Central OAEA events. We bonded over our passion for raising student’s voices in original artwork and creating the most accepting classrooms that we can. We are grateful to be able to share this position in order to highlight each other’s strengths and learn from each other. 

About Liz 
My name is Liz Kengeter-Bash.  I am a member of the Central Region and teach kindergarten - 5th grade at Hawthorne Elementary School.  This is my 9th year in Westerville City Schools.  Prior to that I spent 6 years teaching art in public schools, museums, and community settings.  

I currently serve as the elementary art district representative for Westerville City Schools and am thrilled to co-chair the Elementary Division with Melanie! 

I live in Columbus with my husband Jason and our children Marian, 7 and Benji, 6.  I am originally from New Jersey and joined OAEA shortly after moving to Ohio.  I have grown and developed so much as an artist and educator from the encouragement, opportunities, and friendships formed through OAEA.  As your elementary division co-chair I hope to foster the same inspiring and nurturing connections I have found in this organization. 

About Melanie
My name is Melanie Antram Ingraham and in 2024, I started teaching elementary at Marysville Exempted Village School District and could not be happier to be with the youngest students. I began my career at Bellefontaine City Schools where I taught elementary, middle school and high school. Throughout my career I have served in a variety of leadership roles at the building, district and state levels. My curriculum style blends Project Based Learning with Choice-Based Curriculum, which allows me to celebrate student's voices and encourage connections with the broader school and outside communities. 

I love OAEA for the unique connections I've created with other passionate, knowledgeable art professionals over the past fifteen years. I am excited to serve in this new position to help elementary teachers build connections and inspire creativity in themselves and in turn their students, too. 

I live in Marysville with my husband, Brad, and our two kids Eden, 8 and Luke, 5. I am overjoyed to be teaching at my children's school this year. 

​Follow us!
@OhioArtEd