January 29, 2025 - Comal ISD hosted the second district art show of the school year Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the district’s Support Services building in New Braunfels. The featured pieces on display were chosen by art teachers in the Smithson Valley feeder pattern including the following eight schools: Arlon Seay Elementary, Bill Brown Elementary, Johnson Ranch Elementary, Rahe Bulverde Elementary, Smithson Valley Middle School, Spring Branch Middle School, Hill Country College Preparatory High School and Smithson Valley High School.
The artwork varied from sculptures, oil pastels and watercolor to print making and more. Art teachers presented each artist with a medal while explaining each piece to the audience of family and friends.
In addition, an elementary, a middle and a high school student were awarded the Superintendent’s Excellence Award for Art. This prestigious award is personally selected by Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Chapman III recognizing outstanding talent and creativity.
The artists to receive the Superintendent’s Excellence Award for Art from the Smithson Valley feeder pattern are listed here.
- Vivienne Jokhadze, 5th grade, Bill Brown Elementary, for “Patterns World”
- Teagan Feely, 7th grade, Spring Branch Middle, for “Infinite Peace”
- Kallie Barnett, 10th grade, Smithson Valley High School, for “Texas”
Barnett was honored to have her artwork chosen as one of the Superintendent’s Excellence Award winners. The class assignment that led to the piece asked students to choose a country or state and copy an image provided based on the choice. They were to use only primary colors. Barnett chose Texas and began what turned into a three-week project.
“I really love Texas,” says Barnett who used acrylic paint for her design and is currently enrolled in two art classes. “I have always been in an art class, and art is a passion of mine. My grandmother was an artist, and I get if from her.”
Eighth-grade student Aria Williams from Spring Branch Middle School was honored to have one of her art pieces selected for the district show. Titled “Into Blue,” her piece features a close-up look at a flower. She started with a pencil drawing and completed it with oil pastels using layering and blending techniques to create the finished look that catches the eye.
The district plans to host two additional art shows this school year in March and May.
List of students featured in the 2024-2025 Winter Art Show
Elementary School Campuses
Arlon Seay Elementary School. Art teacher Dorothy Runyen.
Evangelina Ahumada, 5; Penelope Berlanga, 4; Andrea Cruz, 3; Rowyn Debner, 1; Samuel Fuentes, 5; Lily Humble, 1; Evelyn Joswiak, 1; Yael Pedraza, 4; Haylee Roberts, 5; and Riley Yee Hoy, 2.
Bill Brown Elementary School. Art teacher Melanie Chaffin.
Calloway Bealor, K; Abigail Boddie, 2; Matthew Burns, 1; Dayton Grabhorn, 5; Vivienne Jokhadze, 5; Riley Kinser, 5; Amelia Orozco, K; Joseph Ousset, 2; Blakely Patterson, 5; and Olivia Truesdale, 1.
Johnson Ranch Elementary School. Art teacher Christine Loudermilk.
Elizabeth Benitez, 4; Leah Buck, 2; Ashton Garcia, 3; Delilah Jachetta, 1; Luna Magana, 3; Juniper Metzler, 5; Liam Murphy, 4; Mila Salas, 4; Sienna Slavik, 3; and Liam Vieitez, 4.
Rahe Bulverde Elementary School. Art teacher Charis Taylor.
Olivia Baxter, 4; Lindsey Biel, 2; Lila Bower, 1; Chloe Carpenter, 3; Maddison Huffman, K; Ava McHale, 5; Avery Meyer, 3; Brooklyn Minarcik, 5; Everly Palladini, K; and Casey Vanmeter, 5.
Middle School Campuses
Spring Branch Middle School. Art teachers Joanne Doll.
Mariel Rodriguez, 8; Victoria Duran, 8; Autumn Estrada, 8; Teagan Feely, 7; Mia Harmon, 7; Deyjah Jones, 6; Myah Mires, 8; Ava Romero, 8; Giovanny Tellez, 7; Aria Williams, 8; and Makenzie Young, 7.
Smithson Valley Middle School. Art teachers Alana Pauley and Shannon Thomas.
Azlinn Bartlett, 8; Ava Brown, 7; Kinley Delgreco, 6; Koen Freeman, 7; Melissa Heye, 7; Winter Mathis, 6; Charlotte Myron, 8; Alyssa Penna, 7; Tatum Timaeus, 6; and Audrey Torres, 8.
High School Campuses
Hill Country College Preparatory High School. Art teacher Natalie Jones and graphic design teacher Michelle Little.
Marisol Aguilar, 11; Abigail A., 9; Emily Barnard, 10; Jazy Childers, 12; Marley Donovan, 12; Emerson Fite, 11; Kaylie Fitzgibbons, 11; Ezekiel Gibson, 9; Dallaney Gooding, 12; Evalynn Gutierrez, 9; Kaia Hatch, 10; Sariah Haynes, 11; Annaleigh Marsh, 9; Ellyse Marsh, 9; Hailey Myron, 10; Madeleine Patten, 12; Jaclyn Pedraza, 12; Juliana Teschan, 10; and Thomas Trevino, 12.
Smithson Valley High School. Art teachers Julie Ebarb, Lizette Floyd and Lauren George.
Kallie Barnett, 10; Addison Creager, 10; Alexandra Galloway, 12; Maddison Garza, 9; Bridget George, 12; Emily Gonser12; Lila Gray, 12; Katherine Hartanto, 11; Grace Helms, 11; Anna Jurica, 12; Adalynne Klinksiek, 10; Paris Lopez, 11; Karleigh Nelson, 11; Katelyn Nemoto, 10; Kristel Nieve, 10; Jacey Owen, 11; Emma Perez, 11; Mia Perez, 12; Gianna Sheppard, 9; Dyani Tanksley, 11; and Ella Williams, 12.
Congratulations!
Photo Descriptions
-Aria Williams from Spring Branch Middle School shows off her art piece at the Comal ISD Winter Art Show on January 14.
-Kallie Barnett from Smithson Valley High School shows off her art piece titled “Texas” at the Comal ISD Winter Art Show on January 14. Her piece was selected as the high school winner of the Superintendent’s Excellence Award of Art.
-Student artists from Arlon Seay Elementary.
-Student artists from Bill Brown Elementary.
-Student artists from Johnson Ranch Elementary.
-Student artists from Rahe Bulverde Elementary.
-Student artists from Smithson Valley Middle School.
-Student artists from Spring Branch Middle School.
-Student artists from Hill Country College Preparatory High School.
-Student artists from Smithson Valley High School.
-Student artist Vivienne Jokhadze from Bill Brown Elementary won the elementary Superintendent’s Excellence Award of Art for her work titled “Patterns World.”
-Art piece titled “Infinite Peace” by Teagan Feely from Spring Branch Meddle School was selected as the middle school Superintendent’s Excellence Award of Art.
-Art piece titled “Patterns World” by Vivienne Jokhadze from Bill Brown Elementary was selected as the elementary Superintendent’s Excellence Award of Art.