Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Where can you see nearly 600 pieces of excellent western art right here in Spring Branch?

Just mosey on over to the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum (AYAM) where 600 Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) student entries into the 2025 Houston Livestock and Rodeo (HLRS) School Art competition are on display.

Each year, hundreds of SBISD students across the district create western-themed art to be considered for entry in the HLRS School Art contest. The visual arts curriculum has a historically strong reputation in the district, with students increasing in their artistic abilities as they progress through the grades. Our student artists are always well represented in this competition, and many have earned prestigious recognitions.

In the first semester, art teachers guided their students to create western art assignments with the HLSR contest criteria in mind. The visual arts educators chose the best-of-the-best pieces from their schools to be entered into the district level competition and be displayed at AYAM. The pieces selected by the teachers each have just a little something extra to make them stand out from the rest.

Currently on view AYAM are 158 pieces of elementary art, 156 middle school artworks and 275 high school creations. Guest judges were tasked with deciding which of the nearly 600 pieces of SBISD art would move on to the HLRS judging at NRG Center.

This year, the final HRLS competition results are pending because of judging delays due to the January snow. From two- and three-dimensional artwork received from more than 130 school districts in the Houston area, a select few will earn the honor of being on display at the HLS&R (March 4-23, 2025). Only a few of these final pieces will be in the HLS&R School Art auction.

Wander on into the world of Western art

The SBISD artwork is on display at AYAM during school hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) now through February 13. You are invited to come support our young artists by enjoying the western-themed art featuring such subjects as unique compositions of cattle, wistful scenes of cowboys, story-filled pictures of worn cowboy boots, chickens peacefully scratching in the yard, and many more interpretations of western imagery.

A closing reception is scheduled for the evening of February 13 for students, parents and school personnel to come celebrate the excellent work of the artists.

Yippee ki-yay to our SBISD artists!