Spring High School senior Ruth Hardy’s “The Chicken Whisperer” earned a district Best of Show award, and was selected to be part of the prestigious Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo art auction event.
Spring ISD’s main administration building may still be closed for public gatherings and special events, but the artwork created by district students can still be seen by family, friends and members of the community visiting the Spring ISD Rodeo Art Virtual Gallery, free and open to the public online through April 8.
“Spring ISD has a longstanding tradition of participating in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s student art contest,” said Visual Arts Coordinator Amada Byers, who explained that students often spend months working on their rodeo art submissions, which can lead to scholarships and other awards.
“The students begin in early fall with their rodeo art, and in January they deliver it to the administration building where we have outside judges come in and view the art and award ribbons,” Byers said. The judging is based on criteria including originality, creativity, and artistic skill.
Although just 45 pieces were chosen this year to go on to NRG Stadium for the next level of the contest, more than 500 rodeo art submissions from across the district are featured in the virtual gallery, designed and developed by the Spring ISD Performing and Visual Arts Department and curated in coordination with campus art teachers. From the comfort of their own home, visitors can stroll through dozens of individual rodeo-themed gallery rooms and view colorful, festive artwork created by students enrolled in elementary, middle and high school art classes at district campuses this year.
Special display areas within the virtual gallery highlight the district’s Best of Show and Gold Medal winners, who were also honored during a special virtual showcase and awards ceremony earlier this month. This year, Spring High School senior Ruth Hardy’s piece “The Chicken Whisperer” earned Best of Show honors at the high school level, and was also selected for the prestigious Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo art auction, where it will join other top submissions from across the region.
“We are so incredibly impressed with all that you guys have accomplished this year, and we’re here to celebrate you and all your successes,” said Director of Performing and Visual Arts Dr. Joe Clark during the ceremony, where he also thanked the district’s art teachers, facilitators and campus principals for their strong support of arts education during the pandemic.
The Performing and Visual Arts Department first developed the virtual gallery to showcase submissions for the district’s holiday card contest in the fall semester, and the overwhelming positive response inspired the department to expand the concept for this spring’s Rodeo Art Show.
“We love the idea of this virtual gallery,” Springwoods Village Middle School Art Teacher Ariel Keller told attendees during the online showcase, “because it’s a way to get up close and personal with the artwork, and it’s a way to share it far and wide.”
In addition to offering enhanced accessibility – including for family members who may live out of the area – the online gallery also offers the chance for attendees to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the artistic process, with featured videos and short messages from students scattered among the digital tumbleweeds, hay bales and cacti plants that decorate the gallery’s whimsical rooms.
For those missing the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo this year and looking for some rodeo-inspired fun and creativity, the entrance to the Spring ISD Rodeo Art Show virtual gallery can be found at http://bit.ly/SpringRodeo2021. The gallery will be open day and night, rain or shine, through April 8.
No tickets are required. Ten-gallon hats are optional, but encouraged.
Spring ISD Rodeo Art Show District Winners
Elementary Winners
Gold Medal
Work Title: Teepee’s on the Texas Plain
Student: Evelyn T.
Grade: 2
Campus: Booker Elementary
Teacher: Maria Mathews
Best of Show
Work Title: Skyish Moonlight
Student: Evelin V.
Grade: 5
Campus: Booker Elementary
Teacher: Maria Mathews
Middle School Winners
Gold Medal
Work Title: Belle
Student: Jocelyn L.
Grade: 8
Campus: Claughton Middle School
Teacher: Bryce Johnson
Best of Show
Work Title: Stand Tall
Student: Tran N.
Grade: 8
Campus: Claughton Middle School
Teacher: Bryce Johnson
High School Winners
Gold Medal
Work Title: Pride of My Heritage
Student: Isabelle C.
Grade: 12
Campus: Spring Early College Academy
Teacher: Valerie Hassel
Gold Medal
Work Title: A Journey To Home
Student: Luis R.P.
Grade: 11
Campus: Dekaney High School
Teacher: Desmond Rodney
Best of Show
Work Title: The Chicken Whisperer
Student: Ruth H.
Grade: 12
Campus: Spring High School
Teacher: Edward Barnett