The annual districtwide Arts Alive showcase for student artwork was staged in the old gym on the Escalon High School campus last week, with contributions from all schools and all grade levels.

“The theme was ‘Culture and Traditions’,” said high school art teacher Jewell Kelley, who noted that students had to do some research along with their art projects.

One group focused on ravens, which are prominent in folklore, she said.

“We also have some Japanese Sumi ink paintings, we had works on the Alaskan Pacific Northwest Indians,” added Kelley. “Everything is a culture, sometimes we get caught up in what we think culture is.”

Along with the display of art from transitional kindergarten to seniors in high school, there were a number of art projects offered, as classes from every school campus came in during the course of the past week to tour the show and take part in the hands-on projects.

“High school kids volunteered to make it happen,” Kelley said of setting up for and hosting the event, with just four days available for the show due to the Spring Break holiday.

“The kids like to see their own artwork and they also like to look at all the other art as well,” Kelley said.

El Portal first year art teacher Tim Tanis said he was extremely pleased with the show.

“I’m impressed with the level, the quality of the students’ work,” he said. “They really stepped it up and it has been a great show.”