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2023 Student Art Contest 

​High School Division: Place Winners

Picture
First Place

April Speed
Despair
Graphite on paper


10th Grade, Age 16
Bridgeland High School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Nancy Hines


Artist Statement
With chiaroscuro and precise measuring and aligning techniques, I aimed to capture the depths of despair in my graphite self-portrait. The interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of turmoil and raw emotion in my expression. This piece reflects my personal struggles with mental health, and I hope it resonates with others who have experienced similar challenges.



​

Picture
Second Place

Devante Evans
Glance of a Million Spectators
​Micron pen

11th Grade, Age 17
Oak Ridge High School
Conroe ISD
Teacher: Debbie Welch

Artist Statement
I was always captured by a sense of wonder when I stared up at the moon. I wanted to depict that wonder in my piece. I used the black ink to contrast the brightness of the moon with the darkness of space. I chose to stipple with micron pens as it gave a smooth gradient for realistic pieces. I used a variety of micron pen sizes to depict space and add contrast.



Picture
3rd Place

Carrie Schoech
Apartment Life

Mixed media on canvas

12th Grade, Age 18
Spring Early College Academy
Spring ISD
Teacher: Valerie Hassel

Artist Statement
In my drawing, I tried to evoke movement in the ways the characters are moving. I wanted movement in the drawing because the people are not stagnant, the drawing was supposed to look like a snapshot of all of them in the middle of their own stories.


Picture
Honorable Mention

Saami Baig
Writer's Block

Photography

11th Grade, Age 17
John Cooper School
Teacher: Jennifer Schiebel

​
Artist Statement
Our school library recently put out a typewriter for students to use and I was intrigued by the complexity of the typewriter’s construction. I found it more interesting to look at the inner workings of the machine rather than the words I was messily typing on the page.


High School Division: Juried Selections

Picture
Jadia Manakalani
Transparency
Photography

12th Grade, Age 17
Bridgeland High School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Juan Guevara

Artist Statement:
My work explores the intangibility of identity through painting with a bleach solution on a self-portrait negative. Who people think they are is fluid and one’s self-image might be a warped perception and not their true self.
Picture
Brooklyn Baker
Never Grow Up
Prismacolor pencils

12th Grade, Age 18
​Magnolia High School
Magnolia ISD
Teacher: Rubi Ramirez 


​Artist Statement:
For this piece, I was inspired by the ignorant bliss of childhood. Even when bad things happen to a child, it is viewed with rose-colored glasses. The beauty of this experience pushed me to reminisce on the innocence of my own childhood.
Picture
Abigail Cron
Striking Syzygy Eyes
Photography

11th Grade, Age 17
Klein Oak High School
Klein ISD
Teacher: Rhonda Garza
​
​Artist Statement:

It has been over a millennium since the medieval times, but black cats are still see negatively by many. They're the least adopted cats in shelters, and more likely to be euthanized than any other color. My goal is to show my cat's beauty through my eyes using a photographic image.
Picture
Jadyn Wilkerson
Release
Graphite

12th Grade, Age 18
Magnolia High School
Magnolia ISD
Teacher: Alexandra Chavez

Artist Statement:
My family has not celebrated Lunar New Year since my mom passed, and my body tells me when its the new year, mother's day, her birthday, and the anniversary of her death. I have supressed my past trauma, which has caused lasting damage and emotional stress.
Picture
Matthew Davis
Depiction of the Interior
Mixed Media

12th Grade, Age 17
Spring High School
Spring ISD
Teacher: Adrian Kane
​

Artist Statement:
The message of my art is about the consumption of my anxiety and fears. Which is why the entity coming from the newspapers is a representation of anxiety, the coverage of newspapers are my constant thoughts, and the spider indicates my fears, but also my artistry and illusion.

Middle School Division: Place Winners

Picture
1st Place

Sophie Gaastra
Beyond the Olive Jar
Acrylic and Collage


8th Grade, Age 14
Arnold Middle School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Kimberly Bierwirth

Artist Statement
My piece, "Beyond the Olive Jar," reflects the relationship between breaking out of a societal mold and expanding through the support of friendship, peace and love, which are symbolized by citrus fruit, olives and the futuristic cityscape.



Picture
2nd Place

Alyzon Lubian
Still Life

Oil Paint
​
8th Grade, Age 14
Spring Leadership Academy
Spring ISD
Teacher: Estefhania Pineda
​

Artist Statement
I was inspired by Dutch still life paintings when we first learned about them in the classroom. I was inspired by the darker colors and the way the backgrounds were plain. I saw an opportunity to do this style because we were learning how to use oil paint.


Picture
3rd Place

Ava Cachero
Why Disappointed?
Mixed media

8th Grade, Age 14
Bleyl Middle School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Justin Roberson

Artist Statement
Self portrait depicting how striving for perfect grades (straight As) can cause anxiety. Although in the artwork it shows that I have good grades, they are not all As and causes me to stress.



Picture
Honorable Mention

Victoria Onate
Feline Illusion

Photography

8th Grade, Age 13
Twin Creeks Middle School
Spring ISD
Teacher: Dorris Pauley

Artist Statement

My inspiration was kinda like Alice through the looking glass because my cat was looking through the bottle I also changed the contrast the brightness ECT I got the whole idea because in class we were talking about one point perspective and I remembered my love for photography and I challenge myself and I took many good pictures but that one was and still is my favorite



Middle School Division: Juried Selections

Picture
Lexi Johnson
Long-Tailed Skipper
Photography

6th Grade, Age 11
Home School
Teacher: Kathleen LaBounty

Artist Statement
My photograph is a long-tailed skipper at Mercer Botanical Garden. I have always enjoyed seeing the tiny details and diversity found in nature. Last year, I started to do macro photography and I am mostly self-taught so far. I especially like how fluffy butterflies and moths look.
Picture
Shery Gao
Sight and Sound
Mixed media

7th Grade, Age 13
McCullough Jr High School
Conroe ISD
Teacher: Dara Owen

Artist Statement
When I consider art, I think of movement, depth, and expressing something to the world. In my piece, I am capturing objects that are significant to me through different "eyes." Each object has a story, a meaning, behind it. Art is captivating because we never see things the same way.
Picture
Yen Vo
Pearl of Hope
Colored pencil and acrylic

8th Grade, Age 14
Arnold Middle School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Kimberly Bierwirth

Artist Statement
A mermaid who represents the oceans holds a pearl that symbolizes the hope she has left to restore her seas, since humanity destroyed everything. The fragile bubble of safe marine life she sits in - which can pop at any time - is nothing compared to the pollution we have caused.
Picture
Caileigh Nicks
Whimsy
Watercolors

8th Grade, Age 14
Home School
Teacher: Rebekah Billings

Artist Statement
This watercolor started as a photo I took of my cat. After I realistically painted my cat, I made it surreal by adding a ceramic bathtub and bubbles. I think the most successful element of the painting is the portrayal of light on my cat’s face. ​

Picture
Amelia Morrisey
Faith in the Fire
Prismacolor pencils

7th Grade, Age 13
​Home School
Teacher: Kristen Morrisey

Artist Statement
The father deer and fawn are in an oasis surrounded by a forest fire. They are completely safe because the stream of water stops the fire from harming them. In the tranquil oasis, they have everything they need. Despite the danger, they have found rest and peace.

Elementary Division: Place Winners

Picture
1st Place

Thema Fernando
Endless Possibilities
Mixed Media

4th Grade, Age 9
Keith Elementary School
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Julie Lamarche

Artist Statement
My drawing was inspired by my father’s office. I chose to zoom in on the can that my father has in his office to give a unique perspective. When creating this picture, it was helpful to first lightly sketch the shape of the can and details. It was also helpful having a lesson on value to help things look more realistic. I enjoyed using shading, chalk, color pencils, observation drawing and my imagination to execute this work of art.



Picture
2nd Place

Kimberly Saxena
Nautiloid
Charcoal

5th Grade, Age 11
French Elementary School
Klein ISD
Teacher: Emily Bledsoe

Artist Statement

I created this piece because the Ordovician era and biology has always interested me. The minute I found out that the Nautiloid was from Texas I knew that I wanted to create a grayscale piece about this intriguing sea creature.


Picture
3rd Place

Damaris Pineda
Springtime Fun

Acrylic

5th Grade, Age 11
Schultz Elementary
Klein ISD
Teacher: Catalina Baez
​
Artist Statement
How I came up with this title is well, in the painting it shows that it is day and night and two people on a swing. There are two sides like two worlds which is how my title would work. ​



Picture
Honorable Mention

Leah Gomez
Color Surprise
Oil Pastel


5th Grade, Age 10
Frank Elementary School 
Klein ISD
Teacher: Jessica Romney

Artist Statement
My name is Leah Gomez and I am a 5th grade student at Frank Elementary. This artwork is titled “Color Surprise”. I love my drawing of a colorful, crazy rooster with tons of personality. I enjoyed learning how to blend colors using oil pastels when creating my rooster.



Elementary Division: Juried Selections

Picture
Joanna Loo
Still
Graphite

4th Grade, Age 9
Home School
​Teacher: Christine Loo

Artist Statement
I wanted to show the feeling that you see in a horse when it's standing still. I felt that I could add more detail using graphite and show the light reflecting off of his head. He looks very calm and serene to me.
Picture
E'ness Manzo
Wondrous
Tempura paint, markers, and pastels

3rd Grade, Age 8
Beneke Elementary
Spring ISD
Teacher: Nayeli Aguilar

Artist Statement
The artwork shows a colorful Giraffe, an animal that I love. I used markers, pastels, and tempera paint to show different textures and details. I slowly and carefully showed different colors other than natural colors to make vibrant and show the Giraffe in a different light. I added leaves, food that a Giraffe loves to eat. I showed movement with lines around.
​
Picture
Zara Alim
My Rightful Crown, the True Turtle King
Printmaking

4th Grade, Age 9
John Cooper School
​Teacher: Amy Dietrich

Artist Statement
I chose to make a seascape with a turtle because I love ocean creatures! First, we cut out our items from thick paper and glued them down. Next, we used the roller to put on ink. Finally, you press your wet piece onto a black paper. I like that the paper was reusable like a stamp, and I made four prints with different colored inks. Re-using items will help save the ocean!
Picture
Munisa Dolan
Sunflowers at Sunset
Chalk Pastels

4th Grade, Age 9
Copeland Elementary
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
​Teacher: Amy Krengel

Artist Statement
I drew a picture of sunflowers at sunset. I sketched my idea on paper and traced it with black glue. I let it dry and then added a layer of chalk pastel. I blended this with my fingers. The second layer of pastel was added and this time I used the chalks to blend colors. I used the corner edges of the chalk to make seed marks. Finally, I used a q tip dipped in water to clean the glue lines.
Picture
Ashia Hernandez
Beautiful Girl
Mixed Media

​3rd Grade, Age 9
Metcalf Elementary
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Teacher: Lydimarie Aponte
​
Artist Statement
The artwork was inspired by self expression and portraits. I made a self portrait collage where I used bright colors to create contrast and emphasis. This artwork means to me that you are beautiful they way you are.

Picture
2023 Student Art Contest Winning Pieces
2023 Student Art Contest
Artwork by local students grades 1-12

Cobb Gallery
April 1 - April 27, 2023

​
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to present the annual Student Art Contest winners who were recognized for their outstanding artistic achievements. The 2023 Student Art Contest accepted entries from 1st to 12th grade students in public, private, and home schools in the Northwest Houston area.  

The contest entries were first adjudicated by the individual school districts and those finalists were submitted to the Pearl. Jurors then judged all entries according to four criteria: technique, personal expression, organization, and integration. This was a blind adjudication meaning no information about the artist was known to the panel of jurors. The jurors selected first, second, third place, honorable mention, and juried selections out of 200 entries for each division.

Contact us

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts
6815 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
Phone: 281.376.6322

Museum Hours

Free admission, always.
$5 suggested donation for adult visitors
10am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday
CLOSED Sunday & Monday

Closed on Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, 
Christmas, and New Year's Day

Keep in touch

The Cypress Creek Fine Art Association (d.b.a. the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. 
Learn about Cypress Creek Fine Art Association Endowment Foundation here!