2023 Student Art Contest
High School Division: Place Winners
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
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. 
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. 
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. |
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. 
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
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
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. 
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. |
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. 
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. 
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
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
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. 
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. |
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! 
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. 
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. |
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. |