5 Young Artists Win at 22nd Wells Fargo Student Art Contest

Students Pre-K through 12th grade in the greater Houston area a chance to showcase their talents and gain acknowledgment from an acclaimed panel of judges.

“Space Robot” by Emely Ortega

Society for the Performing Arts recently announced the winners of the 22nd Wells Fargo Student Art Contest. Aldine ISD students from prekindergarten to high school earned individual honors. Two of the five winners will go on to advance to the next level of the contest, which takes place on Thursday, May 28.

SPA’s Art Contest offers all students Pre-K through 12th grade in the greater Houston area a chance to showcase their talents and gain acknowledgment from an acclaimed panel of judges while learning more about the performing arts

This year’s art contest theme, Ingenuity, is inspired by two presentations during the 2019-2020 season: Manual Cinema: Frankenstein, EMN-Ensemble Mik Nawooj, and the theater itself as a place that brings people together. Ingenuity, encourages students to create works of art that explore problem-solving and diversity, answering the question: What is our potential when we work together?

Jamal Cyrus, Eepi Chaad, and Emily Fens served as judges. Houston native Jamal Cyrus’ work has been shown both nationally and internationally and has won several awards, including the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship.

“Eyes Wide Closed” by Jada Sawyer

Eepi Chaad is a multi-disciplinary artist. Chaad is currently Director of Community Engagement at Art League Houston, as well as serving on the board for Artists for Art, and the steering committee for Houston Museum Educators Roundtable.

Emily Fens is a visual artist. Her project Brainbloom, combines art and science. An alumna of the Glassell School of Art, Fens has been exhibited for MFAH’s Music on the Plaza program.

High school senior contest winners will be awarded scholarships in various amounts. One “Best of Show” award of $2,500 will be given to a graduating high school senior. All winners, including the honorable mention recipients, will receive prizes ranging from tickets to a performance provided by SPA to art supplies, to scholarship funds.

This year’s Student Art Contest winners will be celebrated virtually on YouTube on Thursday, May 28, from 1-2 p.m. Images of winning artwork will be available on the SPA’s website in the coming weeks.

Aldine ISD Award-Winning Artwork

Division PreK

“Wonder Minds” by Johana Arriaga

Honorable Mention — Layla McCray for Primary World, Kujawa Primary, Teacher Mikal Boston

Division A: Grades K-2

Second Place — Emely Ortega for Space Robot, Carter Academy, Teacher Yvonne López Taylor

Division C: Grades 6-8

First Place — Johana Arriaga for Wonder Minds, Lewis Middle School, Teacher Catherine Woodwin

Division D: Grades 9-11

Disclosed at Ceremony — Jada Sawyer for Eyes Wide Closed, Nimitz High School, Teacher Jorge Vázquez

Division E: Grade 12

Disclosed at Ceremony — Barbara Villarreal for Escapement Wheel, Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology, and the Arts, Teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick