The Randall Reed Center at Planet Ford Stadium came alive with color, creativity, and community spirit on April 24 as Spring ISD’s Performing and Visual Arts program hosted its fifth annual Springfest Art Showcase. 

Ranging from elementary through high school, student artwork lined the space and transformed the venue into a gallery that reflected a full year of imagination, discipline and growth. Families, staff and district leaders moved from display to display, pausing to take in each piece, and to celebrate the 18 students honored with ‘Best of Show’ awards for their outstanding work.

For Spring Early College Academy senior Ryan Hardy, attending Springfest came before prom night. Hardy arrived at the event dressed in a suit and tie, with a dance floor waiting for him later that night.

“Art is really important to me,” said Hardy, who earned a ‘Best of Show award’ at this year’s showcase. “Seeing this widespread commitment to art is really inspiring. My piece is here in front of everybody, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Moments like Hardy’s are exactly what organizers hope Springfest creates — a space where students feel seen, celebrated and connected through their creativity. For Chelsi Johnston, the district’s Performing and Visual Arts Coordinator of Arts Integration, the magic of Springfest is what happens when the community walks through the door. 

“When people bring their children to see their particular art, you see all the reactions, all of the ‘Oh my gosh’ moments, it’s truly special,” Johnston said. “All of our Spring ISD students are so fabulous and it is very cool to see their different perspectives on how they see the world.”

That community turnout is no accident. It is the product of months of intentional work by passionate teachers such as Thompson Elementary School art teacher Sulinder Baboo, who began curating his students’ best pieces from the very first week of school.

“Every kid has worked really hard since August,” Baboo said. “We showcase them here not just to celebrate their individual success, but for people to come in and appreciate their hard work.”

By the time Springfest arrives, those months of instruction and encouragement transform the venue into a celebration of student growth and artistic expression. 

“Seeing all of the artwork fills all of us with pride and admiration for the students,” said David Tijerina Landgrebe, director of Performing and Visual Arts. “Each piece shows their creativity, effort, and determination, and it is inspiring to see how much they have grown through their hard work.”

District leaders say that growth is exactly what Springfest is designed to highlight. Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar said the showcase reflects not just student talent, but the daily instructional commitment that makes it possible.

“Springfest represents the culmination of a year’s worth of creativity, discipline, and growth in our classrooms,” Cuellar said. “When our students are given consistent opportunities to develop their artistic voice, the results are on full display here tonight. Their efforts reflect not only their talent, but the intentional commitment of our educators to make the arts a meaningful part of every student’s experience.”

2026 Springfest Best of Show

Beneke Elementary School

• Isaac Garcia, Kindergarten
• Nguyen Tran, 1st Grade
• Evani Manzo, 4th Grade
• Anahi Rodriguez, 4th Grade

Northgate Crossing Elementary School

• Zara Fisher, 2nd Grade
• Brinley Webber, 3rd Grade
• Bradley Robinson, 5th Grade

Dueitt Middle School

• Alexis Helm, 7th Grade

Roberson Middle School

• Denise Medina, 8th Grade

Springwoods Village Middle School

• Laura Garcia, 6th Grade

Spring Leadership Academy

• Eileem Maradiaga Colindres, 6th Grade
• Leah Ballesteros, 8th Grade

Spring High School

• Lillee Johnson McClean, 12th Grade

Westfield High School

• Destiny Estrada, 11th Grade
• F’Shamund’J Frederic, 12th Grade

Carl Wunsche Sr. High School

• Nathan Isiorhovoja, 9th Grade
• Ashley Carmona, 11th Grade

Spring Early College Academy

• Ryan Hardy, 12th Grade