Category Archives: Art

Museum of Fine Arts Houston presents online exhibit featuring HISD students

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston recently released an online photography exhibition featuring works from HISD Class of 2020 graduating seniors created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual exhibition, Stronger than COVID-19: Empowering the Seniors of Houston Independent School District to Reclaim the Narrative of Their Senior Year, was inspired by Booker T. Washington High School art teacher Maya Imani Watson, who, as the mother of a class of 2020 senior, wanted to give students from 12 HISD high schools the opportunity to take back the story of their senior year, which had been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Seventeen students named district winners of HLSR School Art Competition

The lobby of HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center was transformed into a beautiful art gallery for the district’s second annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Art Reception on Thursday night, showcasing over 200 student works of art. 

During the evening, seven student artists were honored as 2020 district winners for the HLSR School Art Competition. The winners, who range from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, were awarded in the categories of Best of Show and Gold Medal. 

Recipients of the Best of Show award received a trophy, Gold Medal winners received medals, and all will go on to compete in the next level of the contest. All artwork submitted is eligible for auction. 

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Pre-K and K summer fine arts camp

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A summer afternoon at Bastian Elementary School revealed a wonderful exhibition of paintings and other works of art, as well as a musical performance of songs by Pre-K and Kindergarten students who were wrapping up a four-week summer fine arts camp. The camp, which was based around the four themes of community, transportation, healthy eating, and friendship/fairness, was in response to an initiative from Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan to include the fine arts in summer school.

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Student World AIDS Day art posters on display

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The colorful banners hanging on the fence between the HISD baseball field and the Hattie Mae White Education Support Centers are eye-catching works of art by district middle-school children. They were put on display recently after being displayed at the City of Houston’s Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center in December to honor World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

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HISD art cars win five trophies in Art Car Parade 

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Five of HISD’s 21 entries in the 31st annual Houston Art Car Parade caught the judges’ attention, winning trophies and even some cash.

It was easily the best year yet for HISD students and their art cars.

In the category of Best Youth Entry, Frank Black Middle School with Luz Martinez and Julon Pinkston took second place with the Panthermobile. Pinkston accepted the award at the Art Car Awards Ceremony at Smither Park.

The Art Car Parade judges like to give out numerous awards, so there are winners in multiple categories, including four first-place winners, four second-place winners, and four third-place winners. HISD art cars won in each of the three categories.  Continue reading →

Personal stories exemplify how HISD is rebuilding, reimagining education

‘We could be anywhere, and we would still be Robinson’

If anyone could find a silver lining amid the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey, it’s Robinson Elementary School Principal Paige Fernandez-Hohos. After being flooded with more than a foot of water, Robinson was relocated and students split between two adjacent campuses. Though not ideal, the situation made Fernandez-Hohos determined to give students a sense of normalcy. Vacant rooms and hallways sprung to life with decorations. Auditorium and gym spaces were transformed into cozy classrooms to accommodate more students. Fernandez-Hohos trekked back and forth between the two campuses. If she started the day welcoming students at one school, she ended it saying goodbye to students at the other. It was important, she said, that every class see her every day. Robinson students returned to their home campus in January, but Fernandez-Hohos said the storm taught her a valuable lesson about the spirit of her school: “When everything else is stripped away, all you’re left with is the bond between teachers and students. We could be anywhere, and we would still be Robinson.”

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School dedicates new Dragon & Phoenix Spark Park 

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School students on Friday climbed aboard a dragon, a phoenix, and other colorful playground equipment at the school’s dedication of its new Spark Park.

The Dragon and Phoenix Spark Park is the first in a series of Spark park dedications around the city. November is going to be a busy month, with 10 new parks opening in five school districts – three more of which are in HISD.

During Spark Week (Nov. 13-17), eight more parks will be dedicated, including parks at HISD’s Hartsfield Elementary, Clifton Middle, and Mark Twain Elementary.  Continue reading →

Hurricane art by HISD students on sale to raise money for hurricane relief

When some HISD students wanted to raise money for hurricane victims, they picked up their paint brushes and crayons and got to work. Tinsley Elementary School art teacher Phil Daum and his students are using art and technology to raise money for the HISD Foundation’s hurricane fund.

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Arts Access Initiative grows to include more HISD schools 

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Last year, the number of schools receiving creative learning experiences through the Arts Access Initiative grew to 25 from 11 the previous year. That number has now grown to 44 schools.

AAI representatives from nearly all of the participating schools came together in June for a Meet and Greet, where they learned more about the opportunities available to them through some 40 partner arts organizations. The group was welcomed by AAI Director Deborah Lugo. Remarks were made by HISD’s new fine arts director, Wenden Sanders.  Continue reading →

Art cars created by HISD students win multiple awards

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Heights High School and Rebecca Bass’s tribute to Prince, “Purple Reign,” took home the top prize at the 2017 Art Car Parade, winning the Mayor’s Cup Grand Trophy and $2,000.

It was one of several big HISD winners at this year’s 30th anniversary of the popular parade, which was held Saturday, April 8 in downtown.

“The Chronicles of Northside” by Northside High School, with Ann Bass, won a trophy and third place. The car was covered in yearbook photos to celebrate the school’s 90th anniversary. Continue reading →