Trustees Recognize Outstanding SMHS Artists

The San Marcos CISD School Board recognized some outstanding art students at the meeting held on Monday, May 16, 2016, at Miller Middle School. Art teacher Chris Cooper introduced the award winners that included two San Marcos High School Visual Art students who qualified for the Texas State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), held in San Antonio on April 23.

Isabel Rocha and Isabella de la Iglesia were both named All-State Artists by earning a top rating at the state level.  VASE competition begins at the regional level, where students write about the art they’ve created, and then are interviewed for eight minutes by jurors (SMCISD hosts region 13 South VASE).  Jurors evaluate both their interview and art, and then rate the work between 1 and 4, with 4 as the top rating.  Jurors then choose 10% of the top-rated art to advance to the state meet, where another panel of jurors apply a higher level of criteria to qualifying artwork, and assign a state rating.

“We are very proud of both students, and since they are not seniors, wish them continued success in VASE,” says SMHS art teacher Chris Cooper.

In addition, two San Marcos High School Visual Art students had artwork selected for the Texas State Youth Art Month Exhibit, which hung at the State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum during the month of March into early April. Art by Kaylynn Robinson and Lindsey Salgado were part of this prestigious 100 piece artwork exhibit, which is sponsored by Texas Art Education Association, the Bob Bullock Museum, the State Capitol Preservation Board, and the office of First Lady Cecilia Abbott.  This year, Mrs. Abbott not only attended the ceremony, draping students with medals, but also served as the keynote speaker.

Congratulations to these students for their all-state achievements! SMHS art instructors are Chris Cooper, Thom Rogers, Jessica Botello, and Amy Hall.