19 Young Artists Win at 23rd SPA Student Art Contest

Disponible en: Español

Students in the greater Houston area get a chance to showcase their talents and gain acknowledgment from an acclaimed panel of judges. Aldine ISD students take 13 out of 36 top possible awards.

“The Winds of Our Past” by Thuy Vi Madison

The Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) recently announced the winners of its Student Art Contest. Aldine ISD students from prekindergarten to high school earned individual honors. Nineteen district students earned awards ranging from first place to honorable mention.

Six of the AISD award winners will advance to the next level of the contest, which takes place later this spring virtually.

SPA’s Art Contest offers all Pre-K through 12th-grade students a chance to showcase their talents in the greater Houston area.

The annual art contest that aligns the visual arts with SPA’s main stage programming. This year, students submitted their artworks virtually.

“Esfuerza” by Luis García

This year’s art contest theme, RESILIENCE, responds to the difficulties experienced by the Greater Houston community. Resilience is referred to as the ability to bounce back from adversity or stay strong in the face of challenges and overcome them with determination. It is a process of adapting well in the face of adversity, tragedy, or stress. It is also related to the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and personal growth. Sometimes, adverse events occur in our lives, but they don’t have to determine the outcome of our lives. Developing resilience helps us grow, overcome any challenges easily and contribute to improving our lives along the way.

The contest encourages students to create works of art that explore problem-solving and diversity, answering the question: What is our potential when we work together?

“Crown” by Serenity Cain

Entries will be judged on interpretation of the theme, creativity and originality, and quality. Specifically, judges will consider the following:

Does the artwork relate to the contest’s theme? Does the artist convey the theme?
Is the theme presented uniquely? Is it original?
Does the artwork provide evidence of creativity and individuality? Is the result distinctive? Does it leave an impression?
Did the artist effectively compose and organize the elements and principles of art? Is the artwork aesthetically pleasing?
“Happy Tears” by Sarai Rivera

Does the artwork show evidence of a mastery of the tools and techniques utilized? Is the use of tools and techniques well executed?

Students win not only a cash prize but a chance to get their artwork exhibited around the city.

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 and scholarship funds.

“Insides” by Audrey Núñez

Again, SPA will celebrate this year’s winners virtually later this spring. Images of winning artwork will be available on the SPA’s website in the coming weeks.

Aldine ISD Award-Winning Artwork

Division PreK

1st Place — Journey Wren for Let’s Go!
Kujawa Primary, Teacher Cynthia Graff
2nd Place — Arshia Khairul for Happy Me!
Kujawa Primary, Teacher Cynthia Graff

Division A (Grades K-2)

“58 Years and Still Dreaming” by Amare’on Reyna

1st Place — Kelly Serje for Happy Colors
Carter Academy, Teacher Yvonne López Taylor
2nd Place — Grant Tran for Bloom
Kujawa Primary, Teacher Cynthia Graff
3rd Place — Sarai Rivera for Happy Tears
Carter Academy, Teacher Yvonne López Taylor
Honorable Mention — Fabián Sánchez for Cover Up
Carter Academy, Teacher Yvonne López Taylor
Honorable Mention — Maylin Hernández for Coming Back Together
Carter Academy, Teacher Yvonne López Taylor

Division B (Grades 3-5)

“Blooming Beauty” by Arreyana Jackson

Honorable Mention — Katie Ghiorsi for Stop the Spreading
Anderson Academy, Teacher Tony McMillian

Division C (Grades 6-8)

3rd Place — Brandon Steven Rosa Cabrera for Houston Overcome Natural Disaster
Hoffman MS, Teacher Margie Ellis

Division D (Grades 9-11)

1st Place — Serenity Cain for Crown
Carver HS, Teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick
Honorable Mention — Andrés Castillo for The Value of Effervescence
Aldine HS, Teacher Birgit Langhammer
Honorable Mention — Earon Johnson for COW-VID 19
Aldine HS, Teacher Anne Doventry
“Happy Colors” by Kelly Serje

Honorable Mention — Chloe Cain for Stigmas of Rape on Women
Carver HS, Teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick

Division E: Grade 12

Best of Show — Amare’on Reyna for 58 Years and Still Dreaming
Carver HS, Teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick
First Place — Luis García for Esfuerza
MacArthur HS, Teacher Amber Quiroz
Second Place— Thuy-Vi Tran for The Winds of Our Past
Carver HS, Teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick

“Let’s Go!” by Journey Wren

Special Selections

Staff Selection Winner — Audrey Núñez for Insides
MacArthur HS, Teacher Elliot Chow
Board Selection Winner — Areyana Jackson for Blooming Beauty
Blanson CTEHS, Teacher Christopher Peel
Educational Staff Selection Winner — Mery Martínez for Child Seeing Art for the First Time
Davis HS, Teacher Mark Curry
Distinguished Teacher Award: Matt Kirkpatrick, Carver HS