HOUSTON – Jan. 19, 2017 – Spring ISD The annual Spring ISD Rodeo Art Show, featuring a broad and colorful selection of rodeo-, Texas- and Southwestern-themed student artwork from campuses across the district, will be open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, Jan. 27 at the Gordon M. Anderson Leadership Center, 16717 Ella Blvd.

The exhibit, curated by the Spring ISD Performing and Visual Arts Department in collaboration with art teachers from across the district, was drawn together from 477 entries submitted for this year’s official rodeo art show competition.

On Friday, Jan. 13, judges toured the exhibit hallways and selected eight district-level winners – including Best of Show and Gold Medal awardees at the elementary, middle and high school levels, along with a Special Merit winner – whose original pieces will represent Spring ISD at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, taking place March 7-26 at NRG Park.

This year’s Spring ISD Rodeo Art Show winners include:

Best of Show Winner, High School: Fernanda Herrera
Campus: Westfield High School
Teacher: Samara Gilliam Bodin

Gold Medal Winner, High School: Bryan Carmona
Campus: Dekaney High School
Teacher: Martin Barrera

Gold Medal Winner, High School: Rudy Cedillo
Campus: Dekaney High School
Teacher: Desmond Rodney

Special Merit Winner, High School: Kherryn Lapuz
Campus: Dekaney High School
Teacher: Martin Barrera

Best of Show Winner, Middle School: Sheena Marzo
Campus: Wells Middle School
Teacher: Amanda Byers

Gold Medal Winner, Middle School: Callista Davis
Campus: Bailey Middle School
Teacher: Rachel Gordon

Best of Show Winner, Elementary School: Preston Parnell
Campus: Major Elementary School
Teacher: Angel Latchley

Gold Medal Winner, Elementary School: Alyanah Rodriguez
Campus: Hirsch Elementary School
Teacher: Angel Reynaud

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s School Art Program – in which more than 200,000 students took part last year – currently encompasses 135 area school districts, including private and parochial schools. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to earn college scholarships, participate in summer art workshops and have their artwork displayed at the annual Livestock Show and Rodeo, which last year welcomed roughly 2.4 million visitors during its three-week run.