OXFORD — An exhibit on Native American Culture and Art will be featured at the Oxford Hills Christian Academy’s Showcase 2012 on Friday, March 23 at the Oxford Advent Christian Church, Route 26.

Students in grades three to 12 studied the Navajo tribe of the Southwest in their art classes during February, under the direction of their art teacher, Maria Whitney, who is of Navajo descent.

Students learned about Navajo history, art, family life, rituals, dress and foods, and worked on three creative projects they will display during the event.

Students created sand drawings of traditional Navajo symbols using colored sand and made clay pots fashioned after those used by Navajo households for many generations.

High school students designed and created jewelry from silver and turquoise, while younger grades experimented with handmade clay beads that were baked and assembled into bracelets and necklaces.

The students also made Navajo flatbread and learned the history behind the simple food that became a staple of the Navajo diet. Whitney provided a display of tribal artifacts she has collected.

The Oxford Hills Christian Academy Showcase is an annual event that includes dinner and a variety of exhibits and presentations by students, including speeches, skits, poetry readings and samples of student work and projects.

Showcase 2012 is open to the public and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost for is $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Children under 3 eat free.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets for the event, contact the school at 743-5970.

Oxford Hills Christian Academy is located at 10 East Main St., South Paris. For enrollment information, call 743-5970.