SPA Recognizes Houston-Area Student Artists at Awards Ceremony

Society for the Performing Arts (SPA), Houston's leading performing arts presenter, recognized 29 participants from its 15th Annual Student Visual Art Contest sponsored by Wells Fargo at an awards ceremony recently held at the Wortham Theater Center.

More than 500 pieces were submitted to this year's visual art contest, offering all kindergarten through 12th grade students in the greater Houston area the opportunity to showcase their talents and win prizes while learning about the performing arts. Students submitted artwork based on the theme The Spirit of Cultural Celebration, inspired by SPA's presentation of the internationally renowned, Mexican-born singer and composer Lila Downs.

Lila Downs' music is inspired by her cultural roots. Through her music, the singer expresses her cultural identity and heritage. Students were asked to look within their own heritage to express and celebrate their cultural roots through the visual arts.

Maryanna Rudecki, art teacher at Darwin Gilmore Elementary School in Clear Creek ISD, has had students enter SPA's contest for nearly 10 years. "Each year the theme of the art contest gives us the opportunity to explore different cultures," said Rudecki. "We delve deeply into the history of the area and any artists from the vicinity. The contest also gives our students the opportunity to display some of their finest art. My students see what can be accomplished through concentration, the use of good technique and craftsmanship."

Entries ranged from paintings to drawings to digital images. All submitted artwork was judged on creativity, skill and interpretation of the theme The Spirit of Cultural Celebration. Participating judges included Michael A. Chmiel of Jack Meier Gallery; Jason Moodie of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Michelle Barnes of The Community Artists' Collective; local artist Adelina Ruiz Moya; Zachary Gresham of Art League Houston; and Richard Williams of Glassell Jr. School.

Winners selected in Division A (kindergarten through second grade) were: First Place - Bethany Lloyd, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Second Place - Anzley Rinard, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Third Place - Paulina Ortiz, Northwoods Catholic School; Honorable Mention - Ella Ethridge, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Paloma Martinez, St. Anne Catholic School; and Tanya Salazar, Sanchez Elementary, Houston ISD.

Division B (third grade through fifth grade) winners were: First Place - Joselyn Ruiz, Crespo Elementary, Houston ISD; Second Place - Alex Staat, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Third Place - Jaylin Denefield, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Honorable Mention - Ava Marquez, Darwin Gilmore Elementary, Clear Creek ISD; Brook Box, Northwoods Catholic School; and Sara Benitez, Crespo Elementary, Houston ISD.

In Division C (sixth through eighth grade), the winners included: First Place - Anna Tselik, Johnston Middle School, Houston ISD; Second Place - Melanie Mantiel, Johnston Middle School, Houston ISD; Third Place - Maggie Boynton, John Paul II Catholic School; Honorable Mention - Andrea Vasquez, Pilgrim Academy, Houston ISD; Carina Shiau, Westbrook Intermediate, Clear Creek ISD; and Taryn Tsujimoto, Johnson Middle School, Houston ISD.

The Division D (ninth through 11th grade) winners were: First Place - Seoyoung Kim, Memorial High School, Spring Branch ISD; Second Place - Bethany Ochs, Memorial High School, Spring Branch ISD; Third Place - Megan Yu, James E. Taylor High School, Katy ISD; Honorable Mention - Anna (Hee Won) Cho, See Woo Jong and Hyeyun Jeong, all of Memorial High School in Spring Branch ISD.

Division E (graduating senior) winners included: First Place - Kenia Perez, Alief Hastings High School, Alief ISD; Second Place - Gengly Tzun, Nimitz High School, Aldine ISD; and Third Place - Timothy Davis, Memorial High School, Spring Branch ISD.

Jun Young Baik, a senior at Memorial High School in Spring Branch ISD, was the recipient of The Jake Scholarship for Artistic Merit, a $1,000 scholarship in memory of K.E. "Jake" Jacob given by Dinah and Michael H. Sultanik, for her work titled Dressed Up. Shawn King, a senior from Alief Hastings High School in Alief ISD was awarded The Viola Scholarship for Artistic Excellence, a $1,500 scholarship in memory of memory of Viola Davis Rosson and donated by Mary and Miguel Espinosa, for his artwork titled Little Sierra Leone.

The first place winners from each category were also in the running for one Best of Show award. Singer Lila Downs selected Darwin Gilmore Elementary School kindergartener Bethany Lloyd's piece titled Mexicano Tapatio del Tucan.

"Every child is creative and each possess a unique history and rich set of experiences that are assets, said SPA Director of Education and Outreach Joe Angel Babb. "The Wells Fargo Student Visual Art Contest promotes instruction in the arts that builds upon those strengths. When given encouragement and an opportunity to try, every child develops the skills and attributes of an artist such as observation, synthesis, empathy and communication. I congratulate the contest winners, but also the teachers and parents who support the creativity of children. They are helping kids achieve here and now and making an investment in the future prosperity of our community."

Winners received scholarships to Glassell Jr. School, memberships to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and tickets to see a performance presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

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