For the seventh consecutive year, high school student artists from the Socorro Independent School District exhibited their talent and creativity in the visual arts at the SISD Student Showcase at the El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA).
This year, 68 students from Americas, Eastlake, El Dorado, Montwood, Pebble Hills, and Socorro high schools were selected to display their artwork, which were exhibited at the museum through April 12.
Eastlake High School sophomore June Ruiz said that it was an incredible opportunity to have her self-portrait, “Yellow Roses, Sunflowers and Beautiful Hydrangeas All Mine,” displayed at the museum for visitors to appreciate.
The painting features three distinct facial expressions: happy, sad, and neutral, all set against a backdrop of blue hydrangeas. The happy face is adorned with sunflowers, while the sad face is covered in yellow roses. The roses symbolize her friendships, which can be challenging at times but always worth maintaining.
“There's a lot of really talented people, and I, myself, feel honored to be able to be displayed next to these incredible artist and artworks,” Ruiz said.
Candace Printz, assistant director of SISD Fine Arts, said this year’s participants more than doubled compared to last year. She said that students not only had their artwork displayed at the museum, but they also benefited from collaborating with EPMA staff, who provided guidance, feedback, and taught them how to curate their work.
“Some adults, professionals, never get shown in a museum ever in their life and you have this amazing opportunity to inspire thousands of people that come through here,” Printz told students during the museum’s reception for the showcase on March 1. “Thousands of people will see your artwork and be moved by it.”
SISD Student Showcase at the El Paso Museum of Art event photos