Buyers supported education and art at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction Sunday, March 19. Both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Works of Art set Show records.
Andy Wei, 18, a senior at Clements High School exhibited the Grand Champion Work of Art painting, “Timeless,” which sold for record breaking $235,000. The piece was purchased by Mimi and Tom Dompier, Mary and Ken Hucherson, The Somerville Family, and Jennifer and Joe Van Matre.
Paul Somerville said that his family has purchased art at the School Art Auction every year since the program began in the 1960s. He shared that his family keeps coming back year after year to support this program because it promotes agriculture and the rural lifestyle.
“Not everyone has the ability to raise an animal for the Show,” Somerville said. “The School Art Show allows kids to connect to agriculture. It takes just as much time and effort to create a piece of art as it does to raise and show an animal.”
Terry and Dr. Joe Agris, Julie and Alan Kent, Lisa and Tom Laird, and Lynda and Jim Winnie purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Work of Art for a Show record of $221,000. Clements High School senior Anton Zhou, 18, painted the work of art, “Southern Palate.” Longtime supporter of the Show Alan Kent said the buyers are pleased to support Zhou and other scholarship recipients in their educational endeavors.
“All these buyers, every one of them stepped up,” Kent said. “It’s not an “I” — it’s all of us. We appreciate the opportunity and look forward to doing more.”
The School Art Contest received 636 art entries, which will be on display in the Hayloft Gallery, located in the lobby of NRG Center, for the duration of the 2017 Show.
GRAND CHAMPION
- Painting: Timeless
- Exhibitor: Andy Wei, 18
- School District: Fort Bend ISD
- Price: $235,000 (Show record)
- Buyers: Mimi and Tom Dompier, Mary and Ken Hucherson, The Somerville Family, and Jennifer and Joe Van Matre
- Show Record: $235,000 (2017)
RESERVE CHAMPION
- Painting: Southern Palate
- Exhibitor: Anton Zhou, 18
- School District: Fort Bend ISD
- Price: $221,000 (Show record)
- Buyers: Terry and Dr. Joe Agris, Julie and Alan Kent, Lisa and Tom Laird, and Lynda and Jim Winne
- Show Record: $221,000 (2017)
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODE