Student artwork“In His Hands” by Gracin Nguyen, Pearland ISD"Partners In Time" by Mia Huckman, Lamar CISD“Gentle Pride” by Bao Yen Tran, Fort Bend ISDClass Champion - Mixed Medium: “Wake Up Call” by McKenzie Grahmann, Brazosport ISDClass Champion - Colored Drawing: “Show’s Over Folks” by Kaylie Garcia, New Caney ISD (Age 18, Grade 12)Class Champion - Painting: “Haven” by Kristine Lim, Fort Bend ISD (Age 12, Grade 11)Class Champion - 3D: “Cattle In The Canyon” by Jerry Sun, Katy ISD (Age 18, Grade 11)Class Champion - Junior High: “Preparation” by Joshua Washington, Pasadena ISD (Age 14, Grade 8)Class Champion - Elementary: “Season of Blue” by Joaquin Amador, Alief ISD (Age 8, Grade 3)Reserve Class Champion - Monochromatic: “8 Second Wrecking Crew” by Katherine Xie, Pearland ISD (Age 15, Grade 9)Reserve Class Champion - Mixed Medium: “Amor Eterno” by Janelle Barreiro, Pasadena ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)Reserve Class Champion - Colored Drawing: “Deep Breath” by Brice Rudis, Pearland ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)Reserve Class Champion - Painting: “Eye To Eye” by Saanvi Gireesh, Fort Bend ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)Reserve Class Champion - 3D: “Flying Low” by Christian Ruma, Fort Bend ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)Reserve Class Champion - Junior High: “Texas Nugget” by Jaden Whisneant, Warren ISD (Age 14, Grade 7)Reserve Class Champion - Elementary: “Country Wall” by Christopher Heathcock, Pearland ISD (Age 11, Grade 5)"Essential Hardware" by Iris Valdez, Pasadena ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)"Always Ready" by Sophia Fu, Pearland ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)"Ranch Hands" by Rebecca Macias, Pasadena ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)"The Story of the Black Cowboy" by Lilian Gerald Emesih, Lamar CISD (Grade 12, Age 18)"Gentle, But Firm" by Richard Zhang, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Friday Morning Fame" by Melissa Sanchez, Victoria ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"It's Show Time" by Kamryn Phillips, Friendswood ISD (Grade 10, Age 15)"Am I Next?" by Zoe Puno, Katy ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Oh how I've Missed This" by Mia Paz, Katy ISD (Grade 11, Age 16)"New Life's Embrace" by Gabriel Rodriquez, Katy ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Sixteen Seconds" by Sophia Cornell, Spring Branch ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Sometimes in the Morning" by Joana Liu, Calvary Episcopal Preparatory School (Grade 10, Age 15)"Udder-ly Parched" by Jemi Dequina, Perland ISD (Grade 11, Age 16)"Morning Solace" by Athena Paz, Katy ISD (Grade 11, Age 16)"Towards Heritage" by Justin Amomy, Stafford MSD (Grade 11, Age 16)"The Food of Champions" by Teresa So, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Small Talk" by Alina Du, Spring Branch ISD (Grade 10, Age 16)"A Rider's Freedom" by Tingyu Wu, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 9, Age 14)"Made With Care" by Althea Nigos, Alvin ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Tools of the Trade" by Avery Gilman, Pearland ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)"The Heat of the Moment" by Riley Lindhorst, Katy ISD (Grade 10, Age 16)"Glisten" by Ashley Chung, Katy ISD (Age 15, Grade 10)"Born For This" by Shweta Nanaaware, Katy ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Taping Up" by Chelsea Hodge, Pearland ISD (Age 17, Grade 12)"Horsing Around" by Huimei Liu, Fort Bend ISd (Grade 10, Age 15)"Golden Moment" by Stammy Gao, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Rise And Shine" by Faith Victoria Ni, Pearland ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)"Looking Out Yonder" by Cindy Du, Katy ISD (Age 17, Grade 12)"Victory the pale horse" by Jennifer Gonzalez, Aldine ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Moving Along" by Cassidy Hassell, Allen Academy (Grade 11, Age 16)"Communion" by Madeline Irvin, Fort Bend ISD (Age 17, Grade 12)"Closer To Heaven" by Larixa Garcia, Pasadena ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"A Prolonged Wait" by Erin Jeon, Katy ISD (Grade10, Age 16)"Forever a Family" by Grace Sowon Park, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 10, Age 16)"The Boss" by Tanner Tran, Pearland ISD (Grade 11, Age 16)"Delilah" by Reese Strunk, Lutheran South Academy (Grade 11, Age 16)"Do You Remember Me?" by Lauren Oishi, Pearland ISD (Grade 10, Age 15)"Beauties" by Jazlynn Williams, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 10, Age 15)"Rodeo Cowboy" by Joshua Camacho, Royal ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"My Sunny-Side Up" by Lilly-Rose Ribelayga, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Transcendental" by Cara Vajdos, Clear Creek ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Samson" by Chloe Lopez, Lamar CISD (Grade 11, Age 17)"Messy Eater" by Clare Varanauski, Lutheran South Academy (Age 15, Grade 10)"The Bull and Pig" by Abigail Sanders, Cypress Christian School (Grade 12, Afe 17)"The Last Year" by Dol Ngo, Lutheran South Academy (Grade 12, Age 18)"Mom's Inspiration" by Kristen Carey, Rice CISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Taking Flight" by Josiah Wu, Houston Christian High (Grade 9, Age 15)"Under The Great Oak" by Ruchi Tiwari, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Grade 12, Age 18)"Old Dirt Road" by Emily Chartrand, Magnolia ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)"A Garden Harvest" by Bridgeth Perez Sanchez, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Age 17, Grade 12)"Triple Threat" by Valeria Dumitrascu, Katy ISD (Grade 10, Age 16)"Put that In Your Pipe & Smoke It!" by Gabrielle Dick, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 12, Age 18)"Goat Family" by Zoe Baccaro, Clear Creek ISD (Grade 12, Age 17)"Number Eight" by Lucie Tomas, Pearland ISD (Grade 11, Age 16)"A Mother's Touch" by Joy Hyewon Park, Fort Bend ISD (Grade 9, Age 15)
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Student artwork
HOUSTON – Each year, thousands of Houston Rodeo attendees marvel at the top-notch Western art displayed in the Reliant Center. From sketches, pastels and watercolors, to oil and acrylic on canvas and even clay sculptures, the outstanding student-made artwork in the Hayloft Gallery rivals that of seasoned professionals.
The Houston Rodeo’s School Art Competition began in the 1960s as a Go Texan poster contest, which drew some 700 entries. Now, nearly six decades later, the contest boasts tens of thousands of submissions from some 100 school districts.
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The art is divided into several categories -- colored drawing, mixed media, monochromatic, painting, 3D, elementary and junior high -- and judged by its originality, creativity and composition. All entries judged at the NRG Center receive a ribbon, and the most phenomenal works of art receive additional honors. Several pieces are then selected for auction.
This year, 72 pieces went to auction. The Grand Champion piece, a colored drawing titled “In His Hands,” and created by Gracin Nguyen of Pearland ISD, sold for a Rodeo record of $250,000 to Randa and Ray Gilliam, Mary and Ken Hucherson, Julie and Alan Kent, and Kristina and Paul Somerville.
“For her to put her faith on display is what this is all about,” said Paul Somerville. “God bless these kids and God bless Texas.”
The Reserve Grand Champion piece, a painting titled “Partners in Time” created by Foster High School student Mia Huckman, sold for a record $265,000 to Cheryl and Gary Dietcher, Andrea and Scott Fish, Christina DiMaria and Alan J. Schwartz, and Sheri and Rob Walker.
“I wanted to win the Rodeo for as long as I can remember, but I never thought I’d set a record,” said Huckman. “I want to spend the rest of my life making things that people love.”
Scroll below to view artwork by the School Art Contest Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and Class Champions. View all the student art sold at auction in the gallery at the top of the page.
Grand Champion: “In His Hands” by Gracin Nguyen, Pearland ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)
“In His Hands” by Gracin Nguyen, Pearland ISD (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Grand Champion: “Partners In Time” by Mia Huckman, Lamar CISD (Age 16, Grade 11)
"Partners In Time" by Mia Huckman, Lamar CISD (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Monochromatic: “Gentle Pride” by Bao Yen Tran, Fort Bend ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)
“Gentle Pride” by Bao Yen Tran, Fort Bend ISD (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Mixed Medium: “Wake Up Call” by McKenzie Grahmann, Brazosport ISD (Age 18, Grade 12)
Class Champion - Mixed Medium: “Wake Up Call” by McKenzie Grahmann, Brazosport ISD (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Colored Drawing: “Show’s Over Folks” by Kaylie Garcia, New Caney ISD (Age 18, Grade 12)
Class Champion - Colored Drawing: “Show’s Over Folks” by Kaylie Garcia, New Caney ISD (Age 18, Grade 12) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Painting: “Haven” by Kristine Lim, Fort Bend ISD (Age 12, Grade 11)
Class Champion - Painting: “Haven” by Kristine Lim, Fort Bend ISD (Age 12, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - 3D: “Cattle In The Canyon” by Jerry Sun, Katy ISD (Age 18, Grade 11)
Class Champion - 3D: “Cattle In The Canyon” by Jerry Sun, Katy ISD (Age 18, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Junior High: “Preparation” by Joshua Washington, Pasadena ISD (Age 14, Grade 8)
Class Champion - Junior High: “Preparation” by Joshua Washington, Pasadena ISD (Age 14, Grade 8) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Class Champion - Elementary: “Season of Blue” by Joaquin Amador, Alief ISD (Age 8, Grade 3)
Class Champion - Elementary: “Season of Blue” by Joaquin Amador, Alief ISD (Age 8, Grade 3) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Monochromatic: “8 Second Wrecking Crew” by Katherine Xie, Pearland ISD (Age 15, Grade 9)
Reserve Class Champion - Monochromatic: “8 Second Wrecking Crew” by Katherine Xie, Pearland ISD (Age 15, Grade 9) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Mixed Medium: “Amor Eterno” by Janelle Barreiro, Pasadena ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)
Reserve Class Champion - Mixed Medium: “Amor Eterno” by Janelle Barreiro, Pasadena ISD (Age 17, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Colored Drawing: “Deep Breath” by Brice Rudis, Pearland ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)
Reserve Class Champion - Colored Drawing: “Deep Breath” by Brice Rudis, Pearland ISD (Age 17, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Painting: “Eye To Eye” by Saanvi Gireesh, Fort Bend ISD (Age 16, Grade 11)
Reserve Class Champion - Painting: “Eye To Eye” by Saanvi Gireesh, Fort Bend ISD (Age 16, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - 3D: “Flying Low” by Christian Ruma, Fort Bend ISD (Age 17, Grade 11)
Reserve Class Champion - 3D: “Flying Low” by Christian Ruma, Fort Bend ISD (Age 17, Grade 11) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Junior High: “Texas Nugget” by Jaden Whisneant, Warren ISD (Age 14, Grade 7)
Reserve Class Champion - Junior High: “Texas Nugget” by Jaden Whisneant, Warren ISD (Age 14, Grade 7) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Reserve Class Champion - Elementary: “Country Wall” by Christopher Heathcock, Pearland ISD (Age 11, Grade 5)
Reserve Class Champion - Elementary: “Country Wall” by Christopher Heathcock, Pearland ISD (Age 11, Grade 5) (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
Briana Zamora-Nipper joined the KPRC 2 digital team in 2019. When she’s not hard at work in the KPRC 2 newsroom, you can find Bri drinking away her hard earned wages at JuiceLand, running around Hermann Park, listening to crime podcasts or ransacking the magazine stand at Barnes & Noble.
