October 23, 2024 - Annually, Comal ISD hosts a series of student art shows featuring gallery-worthy work. The first of four for the 2024-2025 school year took place Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the district’s Support Services building in New Braunfels. More than 100 pieces of art created by students from nine campuses in the Canyon High School feeder pattern were on display including sketches, watercolor, oil pastels, sculptures and more.
An exciting addition was announced by the district’s director of fine arts during the show.
“We are thrilled to announce the Superintendent's Excellence Award for Art, celebrating four exceptional student artists within the Canyon High School feeder pattern,” said Gary Cooper. “This prestigious award recognizes outstanding talent and creativity, and we are proud to highlight these four students whose artwork was selected to be recognized by Superintendent Dr. John E. Chapman III.”
The artists to receive the first Superintendent’s Excellence Award for Art are listed here.
- Emma Jimenez, 1st grade, Farias-Spitzer Elementary, for “A Bouquet”
- Scarlett Berg, 5th grade, Goodwin Frazier Elementary, for “Crazy Self-Portrait”
- Gabby De Gannes, 8th grade, Canyon Middle School, for “Pipevine Swallowtail”
- Mary Guerra, 10th grade, Canyon High School, for “Fantasy Lovers”
Artwork featured in the show was created by students in kinder through 12th grades and was selected by campus art teachers. Each artist was given a medal as the teachers explained the different pieces.
Two pieces that stood out were composed by eighth-grade students, Gabby De Gannes and Ellie Priddy, who both view art not only as a hobby but also a way to express their creativity.
This is the first year for Church Hill Middle School student Priddy to take an art class in middle school, and she is enjoying learning techniques and design. Her featured piece titled, “Leave No Stone Unturned,” was based on an assignment that challenged students to portray a well-known idiom.
“I used a reference photo from artist Franklin Booth that emphasized clouds,” says Priddy, who chose to portray the idiom, “to leave no stone unturned.” Her final piece in pen and ink depicts a large number of stones taking over the canvas with a person walking through them.
“It shows that while she has done a lot, she still has a long way to go,” explains Priddy, who feels the same way. It also depicts the importance of never giving up, which is something she knows well. When she didn’t make the dance team during her first tryout, she practiced and worked to improve her skills and made the team this year.
The second piece that stood out was one of the winners of the Superintendent’s Excellence Award for Art by De Gannes who attends Canyon Middle School. Her exceptional work, titled “Pipevine Swallowtail” was created using colored pencils. The assignment was a realistic project.
De Gannes used a photo she had taken recently of a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly sitting on a flower.
When the photo and art are compared side by side, it’s easy to see why her piece was selected among the best of the show. The colors and details are almost identical.
“Art has always been fun to me,” says De Gannes, who also runs track for CMS. “It is a way for me to express my creativity. Art class gives me a break in my day to relax and try something different that I may have never discovered by myself.”
The district, which has been named a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) for six years in a row, plans to host three additional art shows this school year in January, March and May.
List of students featured in the first art show of 2024-2025.
Elementary Campuses
Clear Spring Elementary. Art teacher Gina Kustelski. Students: Kiley Gomez, 3; Bristol Hamilton, 5; Emily Hirtle, 5; Kevin Lugo-Dominguez, 4; Jasper Newkirk, 5; Isaac Rodriguez, 5; Alexis Salazar, 5; Eisley Thomas, 3; Maeven Wimberley, 1; and Max Zamarripa, 5.
Farias Spitzer Elementary. Art teacher Casi Corbin. Students: Aiden Braud, 3; Carson Cobb, 3; Arianna Dominguez, kinder; Emma Jimenez, 1; Rose Leon, 3; Baylor Leonard, 3; Devin Maldonado, kinder; Lucas Tamez, 1; Sophia Torres, 3; and Barbara Viesca, 1.
Freiheit Elementary. Art teacher Courtney Grundei. Students: Cooper Bailey, 4; Skylar Bolanos, 4; Emma Cruz, 4; Gracelyn Feril, 1; Catalina Juarez, 2; Alixandria Lambert-Paz, 3; River Maines, 3; Grace Manes, 3; Victoria Rizalado-Mandujano, 1; and Christian Stewart, 2.
Goodwin Frazier Elementary. Art teacher Kerstan Copeland. Students: Scarlett Berg, 5; Bear DeWitt, 4; Rory Guckiean, 5; Savi Hartman, 4; Olivia Mort, 5; Ava'Lynn Ortiz, 2; Devraj Patel, 3; Piper Reed, 5; Jonah Tracy, 4; and Mellani Van Houtte, 5.
Hoffmann Lane Elementary. Art teacher Adam Voglewede. Students: Averi Christer, 3; Chandler Cross, 5; Bauer Earnest, 5; Leah Garcia, 4; Ella Gusick, 4; Carter Jambers, 4; Cecilia Molina, 3; Jill Monk, 5; Nate Sierra, 3; and William Talley, 5.
Oak Creek Elementary. Art teacher Walter Menchaca. Students: Norah Adams, 4; Lucas Alvarez, 4; Katherine Compton, 4; Montserrat Hernandez, 4; Shayla Kubala, 4; Kaylin Mundy, 4; Ivy Peace, 4; Ella Wiley, 4; Marjorie Wilkinson, 4; and Helena Yap, 4.
Middle School Campuses
Canyon Middle School. Art teachers Jada Burkett, Jared Durham, Donna Mial-Gary and Emily Lyons. Students: Jude Avila, 7; Serenity Carpenter, 8; Gabby De Gannes, 8; Santiago De La Rosa, 6; Mia Dietz, 7; Tenley Fenton, 8; Catalina Fortuna Avila, 7; Chloe Hill, 6; Ezekiel Medina, 6; Sloan Presland, 7; Victoria Ramirez, 6; Malcom Rasing, 6; and Sofia Vallin, 8.
Church Hill Middle School. Art teachers Kendra Ferrell and Carrie Wenner. Students: Brynleigh Booker, 6; Isabel Caampued, 7; Natahlia De Santiago, 8; Sawyer Frank, 7; Kate Ganninger, 8; Brielle Mikes, 7; Giovanni Ortiz, 7; Ellie Priddy, 8; Luke Rippy, 6; Kylie Rohan, 6; Averie Sims, 6; and Jimena Tinajero, 8.
High School Campuses
Canyon High School. Art teachers Catherine Deatherage, Kendyl Estrada, Kristopher Jorgensen and Holly Spandau. Students: Wes Morales, 12; Alexis Alva, 11; Bonnie Brumfield, 11; Ivan Campos, 11; Lilly Chapa, 12; Sabrina Fortenberry, 10; Mary Guerra, 10; Kabryna Houston, 10; Brooklynn Lang, 10; Daniel Lopez, 11; Camila Malagon Sanchez, 11; Mackenzie Martinez, 9; A.M., 10; Alyson Page, 9; Richard Pasquarella, 10; Jimena Sanchez, 12; Lily Sisson, 12; and Wylan-Charles Whitehead, 12.
Photo Descriptions:
-Canyon Middle School student Gabby De Gannes used a photo to inspire her artwork titled “Pipevine Swallowtail” which received a Superintendent’s Excellence Award for Art during the first Comal ISD art show October 15.
-Church Hill Middle School student Ellie Priddy was inspired by artist Franklin Booth when creating her artwork titled “Leave No Stone Unturned.”
-Canyon Middle School student Gabby De Gannes.
-Clear Spring Elementary School artists and teacher.
-Farias-Spitzer Elementary School artists and teacher.
-Freiheit Elementary School artists and teacher.
-Goodwin Frazier Elementary School artists, teacher and principal.
-Hoffmann Lane Elementary School artists, teacher and principal.
-Oak Creek Elementary School artists and teacher.
-Canyon Middle School artist, teacher and assistant principal.
-Church Hill Middle School artists and teachers.
-Church Hill Middle School student Ellie Priddy.