"Art Week is finally here!" Gaby exclaimed. "I'm so excited!"
It was Monday morning, and Ben was walking to school with Gaby.
"I'm not into art," he said.
"But I am excited. I've got my first assignment for the Monster Academy Times.
I'm supposed to write an article about Art Week.
If the article is good, I might get some more assignments."
"Well, you'll definitely need photos to go with your article," Gaby replied.
"So much great artwork will be on display."
"Yep." Ben nodded.
"Do you know that ghost named Pixel?"
Gaby shook her head.
"He's in sixth grade.
He's really good at photography.
He's taking a bunch of photos for my article."
"Cool." Gaby giggled.
"I heard Mr. Freaky is working on something special for Art Week.
I wonder what it is."
When Ben and Gaby reached their school, they walked up the steps and entered.
It was early, but the halls of Monster Academy were already bustling with activity.
Near the main entrance, students were hanging up art as the art teacher, Ms. Van Ghoul, called out instructions.
"Zombies, don't drool on the eighth-graders' portraits!
And, mummies, don't trip on your wrapping—you'll drop that beautiful pottery!"
Several witches were hanging up a huge Art Week banner.
Art Week posters covered the walls.
Many of the posters included photos of teachers, which Pixel had taken.
"Hey, Gaby, have you ever heard of the artist Leonardo da Creepy?" Ben asked.
"Of course! He's coming to Monster Academy on Friday night for the final event, right?"
Ben lowered his voice.
"It's supposed to be a secret, but he's planning to donate a painting to our school."
"Whoa!" Gaby squealed.
"Da Creepy painted Moaning Lisa.
That's one of the most famous paintings in the world!"
"I know. That's why this is a really big deal."
"Ben! Gaby!" They looked up to see Winnie hurrying toward them.
She was carrying her witch's broom and her art supplies.
Mog was trailing after her, wearing a big frown.
"What's wrong, Mog?" Ben asked. "You look grumpy."
Mog waved a claw at the artwork in the halls.
"I don't know what all the fuss is about," he grumbled.
Ms. Van Ghoul overheard him and came over.
"Why, Mog, the fuss is about art!
And art is for everyone.
Anybody can create something beautiful."
"I can't," Mog said.
"I stink at everything—painting, sculpting, drawing.
I can't even draw a flower.
That's why I don't have anything on display."
"Nonsense, Mog," Ms. Van Ghoul said.
"And there's still time. I'll be hanging up art all week long."
"Maybe you just need to find some inspiration, Mog," Winnie said.
"Yeah, look around at all the cool stuff," Ben said.
"That will give you some ideas."
The Doppel Gang was standing nearby.
The one named Larry snickered.
"We'll help you find some inspiration, Mog."
"Yeah!" Carly said, laughing.
"We know lots about art. We even know how to improve it!"
"Huh?" Mog said. "What are you talking about?"
Moe, the third doppelganger, waved him over.
"Come on. Let's walk around and look at the stuff in the hallways.
We'll show you what we mean."
"Uh . . . Okay."
Mog went off with the doppelgangers.
Winnie headed off to the gym, and Ben wandered through the hallways too, taking notes for his article.
Someone shouted his name.
Ben turned and saw Pixel.
"Ben! Ben!" the younger ghost cried.
He floated toward Ben, holding up his fancy camera.
"Watch out!" Ben called. But it was too late.
Crash! Pixel flew into a piece of pottery, which sailed off its pedestal. "Oops!"
The pot bounced off a blob, who quickly caught it.
"Watch where you're going, ghost!" the blob snarled.
"It took me a long time to make this thing!"
"Sorry!" Pixel said.
"That's a nice pot, by the way."
He snapped some photos of it.
"You have to get photos of the witches' flying painting," Ben said.
"They're making it in the gym.
When the painting is finished, it will hover in the air."
"That sounds amazing!" Pixel said.
"I'm planning to take pictures of everything in the show.
I'm hoping to get some cool angles too."
He floated upside down and snapped a photo of Ben.
As he flipped upright, he banged his head on a display table.
"Ouch! Well, the bell's about to ring. I'll see you later."
"Bye, Pixel." As Ben started toward his locker, loud laughter rang out.
At the other end of the hallway, he saw a big group of monsters looking at something on the wall.
"It must be a cool piece of art." Ben hurried over and gasped.
The monsters were looking at an Art Week poster.
The poster featured a photo of Mr. Freaky.
But someone had drawn a big black mustache under the principal's three noses!