The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ School Art Auction took place Sunday, March 16, in the NRG Arena. Donors opened their hearts by supporting young Texan artists.
2025 School Art Champions with Auction Sales:
- Grand – Sophie Zhou, The Kinkaid School, $276,000
- Nurture
- Reserve – Hyewon (Joy) Park, Fort Bend ISD, $200,000
- Night at the Arena
Donor Information:
- Grand – Sophie Zhou
- Kristina & Paul Somerville
- J Alan Kent Development – Julie & Alan Kent
- Jennifer, Joe & Bob Van Matre
- Shelly, Jerome, Allie, Abbie & Cameron Mulanax
- Reserve – Hyewon (Joy) Park
- Cheryl & Gary Deitcher
- Hogue Landscape Services – Laura & Matthew Hogue
- Terry & Dr. Joe Agris
- Lisa Scheller
Sophie Zhou of The Kincaid School was the 2025 Grand Champion with her piece “Nurture.” Zhou is the first private school student to hold this accolade. “Nurture” captures a cow and her baby calf with light shining down, enculturing the relationship between the two. This scene was photographed initially by Zhou’s father, leading to this award-winning piece.
“When I first saw the photo my dad took, I was really inspired by the lighting,” Zhou said. “I absolutely loved how this nurturing relationship between the mother and her calf… it was really beautiful, and I wanted to display that in my artwork.”
Breaking records with an astounding $276,000, Zhou plans to work in corporate law or investment banking. She hopes to attend The University of Chicago, Georgetown University, or the University of Texas to major in economics or political science.
These dreams are funded by generous donors at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Shelley Mulanax, the donor leaving with this piece, explained how giving back to the rodeo is just a “family legacy.”
“I have been doing this forever,” Mulanax said. “It is my heritage and something I have always done.”
Donors help accredit these young students into a bright pathway.
“We just love helping the children,” Mulanax said. “This is just an amazing organization. We always continue our legacy and the legacy of Rodeo.”
Hyewon (Joy) Park, the 2025 School Art Reserve Grand Champion, painted a portrait of a roping cowboy, called “Night at the Arena.” Park plans to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry and to own her own art gallery.
“I’ve always loved working with little kids,” Park said. “When I was younger, I used to teach little kids art. I want to major in biology in college, so connecting the two I want to become a pediatric dentist.”
Thanks to the donors who purchased her piece, she is a step closer to these dreams. Cheryl Deitcher, a long-devoted donor, explained what keeps her coming back to the school art auction.“I just love to see the kids you know, and what they aspire to do,” Deitcher said. “We do this to help the kids.”
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – March 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.