More than 200 drawings, paintings, sculptures and other pieces students across Westerville City Schools created this school year are now on display — in-person and virtually — as part of the annual art show sponsored by the district and the Arts Council of Westerville.
The virtual art show, which can be viewed here, honors the work of students and their teachers. In addition, the arts council is hosting an in-person Elementary District Art Show and a Middle and High School District Art Show through the month of April.
The elementary art show is at the Westerville Community Center with a reception scheduled 2-3:20 p.m. on April 30. McVay Elementary music teacher Evan McIntyre will lead students through a performance.
Meanwhile, the middle and high school art show is at the Westerville Public Library with a reception scheduled 2-3:30 p.m. on April 30. Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg will be the guest speaker for both the elementary, and middle and high school art shows.
Juls Rathje, an art teacher at Genoa Middle School, is thankful to the arts council for covering the financial costs for matting the art pieces as well as transporting and displaying all the artwork.
“Teachers are so grateful to have a vehicle to showcase the talent of student artists in Westerville," she said. "The art show offers families an opportunity to engage and see the outstanding achievement of students from kindergarten to 12th grade.”
She worked with Dr. Jan Fedorenko, a retired Westerville elementary principal and education coordinator for the Arts Council of Westerville, to gather art submissions from each of the schools and volunteer David Henry created the video slideshows that are housed on the arts council’s website.
The arts council recognizes April as Arts Month and the district-wide art show is among a series of events and activities the group sponsors to celebrate arts in Westerville.