Category Archives: Fine arts

Seven students named district winners of HLSR School Art Competition 

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The lobby of HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center was transformed into a beautiful art gallery for the district’s first-ever 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 2019 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.

“We are so proud of these creative students for their hard work and imagination,” said Chandel Bonner-Hancock, HISD Secondary Visual Arts Curriculum Specialist. “Tonight is an opportunity to not only celebrate our student artists, but the teachers who helped cultivate their talent.”  Continue reading →

Artwork at three HISD campuses unveiled for Gulfton Story Trail Mural Project

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Students, staff, and community members were on hand recently to celebrate the unveiling of mural paintings on three HISD campuses – Jane Long Academy, Sutton Elementary School, and Las Americas Newcomer School.

The three schools are part of the Gulfton Story Trail Mural Project, which features 12 artistic murals inspired by poems written by local students. The project showcases the area’s culture while attracting visitors to the southwest Houston neighborhood — one of the most immigrant-rich areas of the city.

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan lauded the murals as a point of pride for the district’s students and families.

“They will serve as a reminder for many years to come that we embrace diversity in the Houston Independent School District,” Lathan said. Continue reading →

Sterling Aviation ECHS student immortalized in national art piece  

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Sterling Aviation Early College High School senior Icetria Green is one of seven students selected nationwide as the inspiration for a series of mosaic portraits, which were unveiled this week in Washington, D.C.

Green and the six other students share stories of overcoming enormous challenges. Those stories served as inspiration for the artwork created by pop artist Jason Mecier in collaboration with Communities In Schools. The exhibition is titled “What We Are Made Of.”

The oldest of four children raised by a single mother, Green was forced to live apart from her family for months after Hurricane Harvey. However, she has overcome those obstacles to maintain high academic standing, become senior class president and to enroll in Texas Southern University’s Trio Upward Bound program.

Explore Green’s portrait in this interactive tour

Green credits her Communities In Schools student support specialist, Alma Gutierrez, for being a source of encouragement and assistance.  Continue reading →

Kinder HSPVA opens new building in downtown Houston

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Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts opened in downtown Houston on Monday, welcoming students for the first day of classes in the school’s new $88 million facility.

Part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the school relocated over winter break from Montrose to the new five-story building constructed near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“Welcome to 790 Austin Street!” HSPVA Principal Scott Allen exclaimed, as hundreds of excited students cheered in response. “HISD built this building just for you.” Continue reading →

Kinder HSPVA students get first look at new campus

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Excitement filled the air Wednesday at the new Kinder HSPVA as students toured the facility for the first time in advance of the school’s official opening day on Jan. 7.

Over winter break, the school will move out of its current campus in Montrose and into a new five-story building located at 790 Austin St. in downtown Houston near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“I think their mouths will be wide open,” HSPVA Principal Scott Allen predicted as he waited for the students to arrive. “They’ve seen photos, but that doesn’t do this building justice. They will feel so special that this state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind facility was built just for them.” Continue reading →

16 Kinder HSPVA students receive national recognition for talents

Sixteen students from Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts were named 2019 YoungArts winners by the National YoungArts Foundation, which identified them as some of the nation’s most promising young artists in visual, literary, design and performing arts.

Two Kinder HSPVA students, Deena Fahed – Visual Arts and Katherine (Kate) Kortum – Jazz Voice, were named finalists and will have the opportunity to participate in the 38th annual National YoungArts Week on January 6-13 in in Miami. Finalists are also eligible for nomination to the White House-appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars. Continue reading →

Order HISD holiday cards featuring student artwork through Dec. 17 

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Are holiday greeting cards still on your to-do list this season?

The Houston Independent School District is offering greeting card packages featuring the finalists and winners of this year’s student holiday greeting card competition, which feature creative artwork interpretations of winter landscapes, holiday traditions, and seasonal decorations.

The winners selected from each grade level – fifth-grader Valery Vazquez from Crespo Elementary School, seventh-grader Jocelyn Ajacum from Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, and sophomore Allenique Matthews from Westbury High School – were among 31 finalists from elementary, middle and high schools. The winners were announced at a special ceremony this month at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. All finalists’ designs are available for purchase through the district’s Printing Services department.   Continue reading →

HSPVA principal receives top honor from national arts group 

The nation’s largest organization for specialized schools for the arts has named R. Scott Allen, Principal of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, its top administrator of the year.

The Arts Schools Network stated it selected the Houston Independent School District principal for its most coveted honor, the Jeffrey Lawrence Award, because he exemplifies an uncompromising commitment to excellence in arts education and arts training.

“What an honor to be recognized for doing something I love,” Allen said. “Watching our young people grow into the next generation of artists is unbelievable, and this is what I do every day.” Continue reading →

HISD to name student winners of 2018 holiday greeting card competition

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31 finalists selected from nearly 100 entries this year

The Houston Independent School District on Monday, Nov. 5, will unveil the winners of the district’s 2018 holiday greeting card student art competition.

This year, 31 students from HISD elementary, middle, and high schools have been named finalists from a total of 94 entries. The 31 finalists were chosen by the district’s area superintendents. During a ceremony at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092), the winning cards will be announced by HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

Instrument drive to benefit HISD school music programs

HISD is partnering with the CMA Foundation and the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to host a citywide Houston Instrument Drive through Monday, Oct. 1 to benefit school music programs and their students.

So, round up those lonely instruments gathering dust in your closet or garage and put them in the hands of deserving kids who will truly enjoy bringing their music back to life. There are convenient drop-off times and locations throughout the greater Houston area. To find donation locations, go to www.mhopus.org/instrument-drive.

In addition, CMA will be hosting Maddie and Tae (www.maddieandtae.com) at Waltrip High School on Sept. 17 to talk to band students about futures in the music industry.