West Fest Brings Student Creativity to Life Across the Cherry Creek High School Feeder

Cherry Creek School District’s West Fest brought together students, families, and staff from across the Cherry Creek High School feeder to celebrate student creativity and connection. With participation spanning all schools within the west area, the event featured more than 200 pieces of artwork and welcomed hundreds of community members for an evening centered on student voice, artistic expression, and a shared sense of feeder pride.

A Celebration of Art

West Fest highlights the full range of student learning, with artwork from the district’s youngest artists displayed alongside pieces from graduating seniors. The event creates a unique opportunity for students and families to experience the growth of artistic skills across grade levels, all in one shared space.

In addition to the gallery, students and families participated in a variety of free activities, including block printing led by Children’s Art Classes of Aurora, cookie painting, mini sculpture making, bead working, paint-along sessions, and more. A student marketplace and silent auction, featuring work from Advanced Placement Studio Art students, helped raise funds to support future events and student awards.

The Monster Collaboration

A highlight of the evening was the return of the “Monster Collaboration,” a cross-school project connecting students across grade levels. Second grade students from Dry Creek Elementary began by drawing imaginative monsters. Cherry Creek High School creative writing students, led by Marissa Voss, transformed those drawings into children’s stories, and Ceramics II students brought them to life through sculpture.

For the high school writers, the experience went beyond a classroom assignment it became an opportunity to create something meaningful for someone else.

“The act of giving is so powerful,” one student shared. “It feels good to know I made something that has almost nothing to do with me and everything to do with someone else’s creation.”

Students described the project as both creative and deeply personal, emphasizing the responsibility and connection they felt in writing for a specific child.

“Writing for one child gave me a deep sense of responsibility,” another student reflected. “Seeing people engage with my work made the effort feel real like it wasn’t just for a grade, but something I did for someone else.”

Moments that Matter

West Fest created meaningful moments of connection throughout the evening, particularly as students experienced their work through the eyes of others.

“When I saw my student find the book and sculpture, she was showing all her friends and seemed so happy,” one writer shared. “It made me realize how much joy I could create for someone else.”

In another moment, a second-grade student searched for the high school students who had brought her drawing to life. When she found them, she ran across the room and gave them a hug.

“They had never met before this moment,” said Efong Yee, a Fine Arts teacher at Cherry Creek High School. “It was so special.”

Experiences like these brought together students, families, and staff in ways that extended beyond the artwork itself, reinforcing a strong sense of community across schools.

A Celebration of Student Creativity

With hundreds of attendees each year, West Fest continues to grow as a celebration of student creativity and community engagement. Events like this reflect Cherry Creek School District’s commitment to creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and inspired.

By bringing together students across schools and grade levels, West Fest highlights the shared experiences that connect the district and supports CCSD’s mission of being Dedicated to Excellence.