April 13 marked the 10th anniversary of Westerville Central High School’s annual Arts Alive festival, and this year it involved more students and staff than ever. This amazing event was held inside and outside of the large facility, featuring 155 four-foot square chalk murals surrounding the building, all of which were created live in one day. More than 400 artists participated in chalk drawing (after winning a design contest), many in teams of three or four teenagers. Three classes of Alcott Elementary art students were paired with high school mentors to create 18 more squares. Other facets of the daylong event included 366 works of original student art, displayed in the gallery; a multicultural fair with art and food from different cultures (plus an international fashion show); a demonstration from the Drill Team; and outdoor music performances by Central’s orchestra, jazz band, and vocal departments. The Media Center was transformed into a literary coffeehouse with live poetry, acoustic acts, and the screening of two original student-made films – a documentary of and by English as a Second Language students in the ESL Club. Two professional clay artists demonstrated and taught sculpture and wheel skills, and two Westerville Central alumni, who graduated in 2011, came back to talk to students and draw a chalk mural. Science teachers ran a huge tie-dye event and everyone was encouraged to get involved in the Interactive Art area by playing 3D printed chess, getting a temporary tattoo, putting their face in a famous painting, and partaking in a mural that was “paint by number.” Pupils on the Arts Alive committee helped brainstorm, organize and run the event, including the sale of tee shirts and hoodies featuring this year’s logo, designed by student Taylor Downard. Other unique features included an Autism Awareness area and a demonstration of Peruvian weaving (given by students who traveled there recently and learned the skill). Central artists proved that Art is Alive all day, in every way.