The 2024 SISD Employee Art Show celebrated the talent and creative work of Socorro Independent School District educators and staff, who eagerly shared their artwork with the community.
For El Dorado High School teacher Virginia Castañeda, the art show was an opportunity to showcase her craft. Castañeda’s sculpture titled, “Desert Embrace,” depicting a woman with a crown of cactus pads, won third place.
"I've been wanting to make a bust, and so one day, it just dawned on me, let me try it," Castañeda said. "I did a few drawings, and then I decided, I'm just going to make her a crown of cactus pads!"
Candace Printz, SISD assistant director of fine arts, said April’s art show allowed employees from across the district to display their passion for art.
“These employees lead the secret life of creativity that sometimes we don't know about,” Printz said. “Sometimes we just need that push to have that opportunity to showcase. We're hoping to not only give them that push, but also to encourage them, if they already have work, don’t just have it locked up in your house. Show it off because it inspires people.”
The competition featured more than 125 entries from teachers, substitute teachers, principals, information technology staff, and more. The contest recognized first, second, and third place winners, along with two honorable mentions and one Best of Show winner at a reception at the District Service Center on April 3. The show included a variety of artwork such as ceramics, acrylic paintings, mixed media and photography. The SISD orchestra directors performed during the reception.
Lucia Simental's sculpture “Don Pascual y Doña Lucia” was inspired by the famous painting “American Gothic.” The Eastlake High School teacher paid homage to her family's history and culture by featuring ceramic sculptures of her grandparents at their home. Her piece won second place.
Simental said she hoped entering her artwork in the show would encourage her students to do the same.
“I feel like I always have to participate to show my students that if I can put myself out there (doing) stuff that I'm not that comfortable with, it will be super awesome for them to do the same,” Simental said. “And I just love entering and showing my work, so I just feel like they should do the same.”
Printz said the employee art show for the 2024-25 school year will be at the end of August 2024.
SISD 2024 Employee Art Show Winners
Best of Show
Julian Vidales, Pebble Hills High School, “Bent But Not Broken”
1st Place
Elena Sotelo, Desert Wind School, “Vincere Aut Mori”
2nd Place
Lucia Simental, Eastlake High School, “Don Pascual y Doña Lucia”
3rd Place
Virginia Castañeda, El Dorado High School, “Desert Embrace”
Honorable Mention
Rudolfo Royval, Socorro High School, “De Los Dos Lados (Diptych)”
Elizabeth Trow, Hurshel Antwine Middle School, “In Memory of Iris”