Three hundred fifty pieces of artwork were hung on the walls for all to enjoy.
April 13 marked the 11th annual Arts Alive Festival at Westerville Central High School. Seventy pupils, advised by art teachers Jen Kiko and Derrick Ehlen, helped brainstorm, organize and run the massive event. Tee shirts and hoodies with this year’s logo were designed by senior Gabbie Bird. A limited edition art sticker, designed senior Ian Njau, was available as well. Arts Alive featured 160 four-foot-square chalk murals surrounding the building, all of which were created live by more than 450 student artists throughout the day. Children from Alcott Elementary visited, and they were paired with high school mentors to make additional murals. Chemistry teachers and students did Tie Dye on the east lawn, and advanced digital art pupils created 3D printed chess sets, which were displayed and played. An Interactive Art area featured chess playing, henna tattoos, putting your face in famous paintings and partaking in a “paint by number” mural. Inside, visitors could experience a student art gallery featuring 350 original pieces, along with a multicultural fair, routines from the Drill Team, and music performances by Central’s orchestra, jazz band and vocal departments. The Media Center was transformed into a literary coffeehouse featuring live poetry and acoustic acts. Other unique features included an Autism Awareness Area, a student rock band, and an interactive photo studio.