Underclassmen awards voted on by our art students include:

Excellence Awards: Allie Ma, Sofia Zarate,  Ronald Ajpacaja, Gigi Gallien, Faina Meredia, Monerrath Beneroso

Engagement Awards: Madilynn Moore, Isabella Minetos, Liam Nemec, Ella Fortunov, Andrew Hernandez, Lilly Whiteley

Celebration Tuesday, April 22 6:15-7:45 pm 

Please join us in 506 to meet incoming parents and have current students discuss their favorite aspects of our guest artists and consultants.

Consultants for 2024-2025

Dylan Ahern- 3D Design ninth grade, Sculpture Elective

Geison Alvizures- Welding Elective, alum

Jordan Bolduc- 2D Experimentation 9th Grade, Screenprinting Elective, Introduction to Printmaking

Sebastien Boncy- Elective Narrative, Elective Digital Illustration

Katie Christman- Textiles, Art History, Alum

Kevin Lopez- Elective Figurative Painting, Elective Illustration, Introduction to Digital 9th grade

Elisha Luckett- Introduction to Photography, Introduction to Film/Video

Jacinta Majithia- Introduction to Ceramics, now a full time teacher at Episcopal High School

Alexis Pye- Introduction to Painting, Elective Painting

Corey Sherrard- 9th Grade Digital Literacy, Digital Lab Electives

Round Robin Junior Guests

Alberto Careaga- Art League of Houston

Maureen Lax-  Art League of Houston

Katherine Trimble- college professor, conceptual artist

Sarah Darro- curator of the Craft Center of Houston

Karina Farek- alum, New York artist, You Tube content creator

Areli Magallon- Houston Center for Photography

Senior Journal Love Tour

Alexis Pye

Tyler Trevino

Robbie Austin

Senior Guests

Lisa Eicher of Sandal GAP

Katie Hoffman of Scout and Skein

Nathaniel Donnett

Nancy Douthy of Texas Gallery

Congrats to Jaden Owens for winning the scholarship to attend Otis this summer!

Congrats to Nate Barcot for winning the scholarship to attend MCAD this summer!

We thank generous programs for continuing to support out HSPVA students!

Check out this link to the video that highlights Nate's National Medal in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! 

Nate's Scholastic 

• Nate Barcot- Onion Scholarship, made possible by Karina Farek ’11     
• Monserrath Beneroso- Glassell Scholarship, Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Faina Maredia- Sheard/Montgomery Scholarship 
• Gabriel Dizon- Dawley Summer Scholarship for Visual Arts, made possible by the Ed and Birdie Dawley Educational Trust 
• Andrew Hernandez- Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Hector Hurtado- Glassell Scholarship, Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Khloe Green- Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Jaden Owens-Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Jennifer Sanchez- Glassell Scholarship, Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Jayden Walton-Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show
• Milo Mullen-Visual Arts Department Scholarship made possible by donations through the Art Guild Fall Fund Drive and the PVA Show

We are back from Spring Break!  We start the last quarter of the year!

The ninth grade classes will soon start new curriculum- 2D design and digital literacy classes switch. 

The sophomores are closing out their textiles, painting, mixed media and video classes.  They switch as well!  

Juniors will find out about the Junior Scholarship winners soon and are planning their summer.  We will start our Round Robin Series next week and invite our esteemed guests to critique the newest batch of artwork.  Thank you to Areli Magallon, Sarah Darro, Karina Farek, Katherine Trimble, Zhaira Costiniano, and Alberto Careaga for joining us and helping our student develop their art! 

Seniors continue to have their shows!  Carolyn, Zoie, Sadie and Ellie just opened their show.  Next up is Alba, BJ and Ash.  

Saj worked with Vincent Valdez and the Contemporary Arts Museum to create a mural project this month!  Noah has work currently up at True Love Studios.  

All wonderful things are happening this Spring! 

Congratulations to our incoming class of 9th graders.  Students were just notified.

Mr. Gray is in charge of our new Art Bike Project!

Sincerely,

Mr. Waddell

For senior shows, the gallery is open on the day of the reception from 3:30-5:30.

Parents will sign in at the front desk on the first floor and then proceed to the gallery on the second floor. 

The art gallery is open during after school performances at school from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and those Saturdays when there are scheduled performances in the Denney, Studio Theatre and Recital Hall.

On school days without performances, parents can sign into the front office on the first floor between 3:30 and 4:15 to view the show.

Parking on the street is recommended. 

To guarantee adherence to safety protocols during dismissal and after school, the following details were communicated in the Weekly Wrap for parents and during announcements.

1. Students may only stay after school if they are participating in an adult-supervised activity (such as rehearsals, performances, or tutorials). For the art department, students only need to stay if they are juniors or seniors documenting, if a student is using the ceramics, printmaking, digital or sculpture lab signing up ONE week in ADVANCE in the art office. We generally do not ask students to stay after school and it is not a requirement. You may double check with us if you do not think your student is attending our after school labs. 2. If students are staying for a rehearsal or teacher-led activity, they may leave briefly to get food but must return to the building by 4:15 PM. After this time, re-entry will not be allowed. For our art students, we ask that students report immediately to their work area. We are asking for efficiency and we are done between 5:15 and 5:30.

3. Students must not open doors for anyone attempting to enter the building after school hours.

4. Students are not permitted to leave school after dismissal and return later to wait for their ride. 

Thank you for implementing these expectations with your students.

Greetings!  Happy New Year!  We hope everyone had a great, restful and relaxing holiday.  

The PVA Show- HSPVA's Spring Fundraiser  is Friday, January 24, 6:00-9:30pm, at the Julia Ideson Library. The PVA Show is HSPVA Friends’ annual auction party and gallery show. It’s your only chance each year to bid on student art, and there are lots of other great deals to be had on restaurants, sports/theatre tickets, etc. Proceeds benefit Creative Writing, Theatre, and Visual Arts.

This Spring we will have the Best of Freshmen Work, the Junior Scholarship Show and Senior Shows.  The seniors have been told the schedule and we will announce the whole schedule soon.  Senior show openings are every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 once we get started.  Students may view the work during the school day and we visit the gallery as a group every Friday.  

We will announce the reception date for the Freshman Show and the juniors have been told about the process to apply to the junior scholarship show.  They should be researching schools that they are interested in attending.

Welcome Mr. Ahern to our team!  He is teaching 9th grade sculpture and elective sculpture.  Ms. Majithia is now a full time teacher at Episcopal High School!  Congratulations!   

Saj is being recognized this January in Miami for his accomplishments in art by YoungArts National Competition!  A huge success!

Thank you to Maya, Siyan, Nate and Faina for helping this week with the Magnet Open House.

Cheers!

Mr. Waddell and Art Department

November/December 2024

Greetings!   Happy Holidays!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Happy Winter!  Happy New Year!  It is all going to fly fast.  

We start Portfolio Reviews on Monday.  We are excited to see the artistic growth and development among the students. 

As we reflect on this past semester, we are so thankful for many things.  We have found success and good community vibes with our new consultants- Ms. Bolduc, Mr. Luckett, Mr. Lopez and Mr. Alvizures.  Ms. Bolduc continues our strong printmaking department with organization and good cheer.  Mr. Luckett is always enthusiastic and loves being here.  The kids are happy and thriving in photo-land.  Mr. Lopez has built a good relationship with the new ninth graders and their drawings look strong.  Mr. Alvizures is upholding rigor, research and challenging the kids in welding.  I am also looking forward to announcing new consultants in the spring. 

It has also been a privilege to work with Mr. Haynes, our student teacher.  He is getting to know the students and continues to work with them at different levels.  

We want to thank the Kinders for our brand-new computer lab.  It is being set up.  Thanks to the patience of our students.  Technology is available in HISD.  Ms. Patel is always a saint for helping us with the constantly evolving technology and upkeep!

The Middle School Workshops wrapped up today.  Thanks to all of our dedicated student helpers that organized and facilitated our classes.  Mr. Gray and I saw lots of great things happening over the past few weekends.  It is a positive experience for our students to be in the classroom- on the other side!  Thank you to HSPVA Friends and the parents from the Art Guild.  We could not do this event without you all.

Upcoming opportunities for the students involve the Teen Show at the Contemporary Arts Museum, the PVA Show (Print Show) and Scholastics.

With kindness,

Mr. Waddell

November 2024

We are almost in holiday season!  It is going to be fast and furious!

Things to look forward to:

November 7- we open a new show in the gallery that features 9th grade design (Fowler), 10th grade ceramics (Majithia), elective textiles (Christman) and elective props class (Fowler).  We will provide more details as to the live performance work that Ms. Fowler is organizing with her Props and Scripts class for this exhibition.  

November 13 is an art guild meeting.

Nov 2 and Nov 16 are Middle School Workshop dates.  Thank you to Mr. Gray, the Art Guild and the current students for putting energy into this event that exposes Middle School Students to the program, school and more art experiences.  We truly value our students input and help with this fundraiser and experience.  

Portfolio Reviews start Monday, November 18th.  Students should be present and ready to show their work, journals and calendars.  If a student is out during this time, please email the Chair at hwaddell@houstonisd.org

We were able to take the students out for a whole day- to the Blaffer Art Museum at UH, the Moody Art Center at Rice University, and the Silos at SITE Gallery at Sawyer Yard.  Thank you to Volker Eiselle, Katherine Veneman, Lauren Cross and the tons of tour guides who showed us all the spaces.  It was nice that artists met us at the Silos to talk about their own work.  This includes Nathaniel Donnett, Patrick Renner, Garland Fielder and Jeff Forster.

Ms. Phillips got to visit Washington D.C for the Arts Schools Network annual conference.  Mr. Waddell was recognized for his leadership in the arts through the MFAH.  

Mr. Waddell and Ms. Phillips thank the Art Guild for hosting the parents at the last meet and greet.  It was wonderful to open the first series showcase and talk to parents!  

Mr. Lopez currently has a show at Box13!  Mr. Glover has a show at UH Downtown!  Mr. Sherrard and Ms. Pye are part of the Texas Biennial. 

Thanks to all of our art aides for always being present and helpful!  Andrei, Elijiah, Lauren, Nate, Nasya.

No one in class rooms at lunch, before or after school unless signed up and in a lab with teacher and has permission.

No one after 4 pm in halls.  Must be downstairs in Commons to be picked up.

October 15

Gallery

Art Guild meeting tonight

6:15 is gallery talk, HSPVA gallery

6:45-8 pm Visual Art Parent Social Uber Lounge 1414 Texas 1st Floor Clubroom

Here is a link to volunteer for this event!

https://www.bayoucityartfestival.com/volunteer-opportunities

The Houston Public Library is excited to announce this year's launch of its Get Graphic! Comic Creation Contest for Tweens and Teens.   This year the contest runs from July 1st to October 31st. with a reception held at the Vinson Neighborhood Library on November 16th for all participants.  Participants who are interested must be in grades 6th to 12th and can enter alone or in teams of up to four people.  Submissions will be divided into two groups, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12.  Prizes will be awarded to 1st , 2nd , and 3rd place winners for each group and will be announced at the reception.

 This year we welcome our keynote speaker Kayla Miller,  author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Click graphic novel series and co-author of its spin-off series Besties.  An RSVP invitation will be sent to participants once an entry is received.  Participants will receive a copy* of  Kayla Miller's newly published work, Break, and have the opportunity to have it signed at the reception. *While Supplies Last

Comics must be at least four pages, but no more than 14 pages.  Entries can be sent by mail or submitted to any HPL Location alongside a completed Entry Form.  For schools, please contact to arrange a pick-up.    

For further program details and rules please follow this link: What is Get Graphic contest for teens?

Throughout the months of July - October, we will also host Illustration Workshops at various libraries for any budding comic artist to practice and gain tips.  These programs are free and geared for tweens and teens.  For registration and more information visit our Events Calendar:  Events - Reservations - Visit us (houstonlibrary.org)

We had a student win this once...so it could be worth entering!

I’m getting in touch with you to make you aware of the Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship program.
The AQF Scholarship is an annual competition for high school students that provides funding for the awardees to attend summer intensive arts programs. These scholarships provide an incredible opportunity for talented students from all artistic disciplines to engage in immersion experiences. 
This is a competitive awards program. To succeed, applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication and a strong commitment to personal artistic growth and must be enrolled in high school or officially registered as a home-schooled high school student. Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges, comprised of professional artists and art educators who are independent of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
We would appreciate it if you could share this amazing scholarship opportunity with students who wish to pursue their creative dreams! To learn more about the AQF Scholarship, please visit https://aqfoundation.org/scholarships. If you have any questions please contact me at mariela@aqfoundation.org

Dear Community,

We have made it to October!  I want to thank the Art Guild, the art parents, and the college representatives for making Third Coast possible.  We had a productive, amazing event.  We are so lucky to have such talented 11th and 12th graders.  The work looked impressive throughout the department, including the printmaking room, the multipurpose room and the ceramics room.  We are fully underway with our Sophomore/Junior buddies and the Freshmen/Senior buddies events on Fridays during journal time.  The underclassmen  were able to talk to their partners and learn more about Third Coast.  We also got to share work with the underclassmen before we took everything down.  

Mr. Gray has met with students and parents who were interested in the Europe trip for Summer 2026.  If anyone else has inquiries about this special and unique opportunity, please email him.

Mr. Gray will also be in charge of this year's Middle School Workshops and training our current students to help out with this.  Workshops are November 2 and 16. 

Please help us return all of our fieldtrip forms for our big fieldtrip that is at the end of October.  I am excited to have a department wide, all-day fieldtrip and to work with local art professionals.  This should be a fun-filled day.  

Thank you to our wonderful art aides who help with daily tasks and keeping us organized in the department.  

The sophomore show comes down soon.  It recieved lots of compliments.  It was up during our Third Coast Event and Carnaval.  The next show is class-based and will feature specific classes across all grade levels.  This show will be up during the all school musical!

Sincerely,

Mr. Waddell

Reasons to Attend a Pre-College Program

1. The experience allows students to understand a college campus, travel alone, navigate a new city, and the transportation of that region.
2. The experience allows students to gain more information on a potential college choice- whether they realize that school is a good fit or not a good fit!  This is a valuable lesson!
3. The experience gives college educators and art schools a reason to advocate for your child when they apply to college.  This could lead to scholarship opportunities .
4. Your child meets other students across the country that share the same interests!
5. Make artwork under a fresh perspective.
6. Learn new mediums!  We had students learn glass blowing last summer!
7. Resume builder.  This experience shows that your child is passionate about the arts and shows that you are supportive of their talents.  Scholarships and exhibits that stem from this experience can be added onto the resume.
8. This experience keeps your child engaged in art over the summer.
9. Your child will gain confidence.  They can show off!  Our students are at the top level.  Art colleges love our students and our program.

October 10th is install day for 9th drawing, 10th photo, printmaking, elective painting, 11th drawing

We will be going on an all-day, department fieldtrip to the Moody Center for the Arts, the Blaffer Art Museum and the Silos at Sawyer Yards.  That will take place on October 25th!  Stay tuned for details!

September 2024

Dear Parents,

We have had a great first few weeks!

The 9th grade and 12th grade have been meeting on Fridays during journal time to continue our Senior Freshmen buddies, which should help acclimate the new students.  We have also now started sophomore/junior buddies.  We hope this new Friday tradition will help us blend the department and everyone will know each other a little bit better.

We have opened two shows in the gallery this year.  The Best of Senior Work displayed the class of 2025.  The Best of Junior Show is currently on view and highlights work that the kids have chosen as favorite pieces from the Spring Semester and Summer.  It is a diverse set of pieces that show off Mr. Gray's class of mixed media and shaped canvases, Ms. Toussaint's painting class and Ms. Majithia's ceramics class.  We hope this inspires the current sophomores to strive in these lab-based classes!  The HISD Fine Arts Professional Development will be hosted at our campus and all the Fine Arts teachers will get to see this work!

We also habve welcomed Cameron Haynes to the department.  He is our new student teacher who will be with us until December.  Mr. Haynes is from the University of Houston!

We have 5 students helping as art aids department this year.  We are so thankful for their help.

At the end of September, we host our Third Coast College event.  Juniors and Seniors will show their portfolios to many college representatives over the course of 3 days.  If you are a parent and want to get involved, please contact HSPVA Friends about joining the Art Guild and serving breakfast and lunch to the college reps.  The ninth and tenth grade students will be allowed to watch this event over those days and observe what they will be doing as upperclassmen.  Everyone should pay attention to these colleges, as most of them offer Pre-College Summer Programs.  Many of our students are interested in these extracurricular events that are great resume builders!

Ms. Fowler has talked to the whole department during Art Homeroom about entering Young Arts.  If you are 10th-12th grade, we encourage you all to enter.

Let's hope that we get some cool weather soon! 

Cheers,

Mr. Waddell

Dear HSPVA Visual Art Families!

We welcomed Mr. Gray as our full-time sculpture teacher and our sophomore level advocate.  It was a smooth transition as he was always willing to jump into any role.  He has reignited an excitement around welding and mixed media.  He comes with an expertise in teaching art history at a college level!  Many of his assignments brought a new energy into the students’ work including shaped canvas paintings!   

Ms. Phillips was named Teacher-of-the-Year on our campus.  This was an amazing accomplishment, and we are proud of her recognition among her fellow teachers.  Ms. Phillips demonstrates leadership, kindness, patience and diplomacy among her colleagues and her students.  She is a wonderful guide and mentor to the 9^th graders, getting them acclimated to our program.  Incoming students are in great hands! 

Ms. Fowler stepped into the senior advocate position.  She has challenged and upped the ante for our most advanced students.  The seniors had some of the cleanest and most professional looking thesis shows.  They were well curated, labeled and had professional statements to accompany the work.  We had weekly gallery talks, where seniors explained their work to the underclass students.    In addition, seniors had a culminating, pop-up show of their legacy pieces in the multi-purpose room.  Ms. Fowler invited a handful of esteemed guests and alum to campus to reflect on their time.  This also led to an exhibit at Jardin, a business owned by Isabel Wilson, designer and former consultant.

We welcome new consultants Mr. Luckett (10^th Grade Photography), Mr. Alvizures (Elective Welding), Ms. Bolduc (Printmaking) and Mr. Lopez (9^th Grade Drawing)

This year, we are trying some new programming with our gallery.  After our grade level showcases, we will have three shows that highlight different classes and mediums.  These shows will be all inclusive across grade level.  We want kids to participate and enter shows and add to their resume! 

Among award highlights include Luna Yepez (Class of 2024) Silver Key for Fashion in Scholastics and Saj Baldwin Evans McNallan (current sophomore) was the recipient of the 2024 Texas Young Masters Award. 

Sincerely and with kindness,

Mr. Waddell