Cypress Ridge High School junior Kamila Yepez’s artwork “Storm Coming,” earned Best of Show in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Jan. 27, 2023—CFISD’s winners in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program were announced after going through multiple rounds of judging.  

A total of 10 winners were selected from the Elementary, Middle School and High School divisions and will be displayed in the Hayloft Gallery at NRG Center during the HLSR, Feb. 28-March 19.

Bridgeland High School senior Jacob Lemos’ artwork “Clovers,” earned a gold medal in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

CFISD art teachers used two rounds of judging to determine the top 45 pieces that advanced to the official HLSR School Art Program contest at NRG Stadium. The initial round of judging also helped select pieces that were displayed at the CFISD Rodeo Art Exhibit, held Jan. 18 at the Berry Center.

The HLSR School Art Program added a new category this year for students with special needs and through collaboration between district art teachers and special education coordinators, LIFE Skills students submitted artwork to be judged in the contest. In total, five art pieces created by LIFE Skills students were selected to be judged in the official HLSR School Art Program contest.

Cy-Fair High School freshman Madeline Nguyen’s artwork “Crashed Your Party,” earned a gold medal in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

CFISD’s art students and their work were praised by judges throughout the judging process. The following CFISD students earned Rodeo Art awards:

In the High School Division:

• Cypress Ridge High School junior Kamila Yepez won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Storm Coming;”
• Bridgeland High School senior Jacob Lemos won a gold medal for his artwork titled “Clovers;”
• Cy-Fair High School freshman Madeline Nguyen won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Crashed Your Party;”
• Cypress Woods High School freshman Chloe Moon won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Embracing a Friend;”
• Cy-Fair High School sophomore Ravine Cohen won a special merit award for her artwork titled “We’ll Meet Again;” and
• Cy-Fair High School senior Eliza Lopez won a special merit award for her artwork titled “A New Blue Day.”

Cypress Woods High School freshman Chloe Moon’s artwork “Embracing a Friend,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

In the Middle School Division:

• Arnold Middle School eighth grade student Megan Lewis won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Hay There;” and
• Spillane Middle School eighth grade student Camilla Gamiz won a gold medal for her artwork titled “El Pollo.”

Cy-Fair High School sophomore Ravine Cohen’s artwork “We’ll Meet Again,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

In the Elementary School Division:

• Fiest Elementary School first grade student Makenzie Brown won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Farm on the Hill;” and
• Keith Elementary School fourth grade student Thema Fernando won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Ride of a Lifetime.”

Cy-Fair High School senior Eliza Lopez’s artwork “A New Blue Day,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

“This year’s art contest included many of CFISD’s most talented art students,” said Lee Carrier, CFISD visual arts coordinator. “It was a pleasure getting to view all the artworks submitted for the contest and exhibit these past few weeks. I want to congratulate the 10 awarded students and thank all participating art teachers for encouraging their students to submit entries in the Rodeo Art contest. It is apparent through the work submitted that teachers cultivated a studio laboratory where students were encouraged to experiment with art concepts, mediums and western-themed still life and photos that inspired creativity.”

Arnold Middle School eighth grade student Megan Lewis’ artwork “Hay There,” earned Best of Show in the Middle School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

“The districtwide art show had nearly 1,600 guests in attendance, and I cannot help but mention the exhibit would not have been possible without the commitment of CFISD art teachers. I would also like to thank the art teachers who served on the rodeo committee because this group worked countless hours to ensure the contest and exhibit events were a success. Though the rodeo exhibition was the result of student experimentation, the creative process is never ending, and I look forward to the student contests and exhibits in store for this spring.”

Spillane Middle School eighth grade student Camilla Gamiz’s artwork “El Pollo,” earned a gold medal in the Middle School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Fiest Elementary School first grade student Makenzie Brown’s artwork “Farm on the Hill,” earned Best of Show in the Elementary School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Keith Elementary School fourth grade student Thema Fernando’s artwork “Ride of a Lifetime,” earned a gold medal in the Elementary School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.