Honored for a Decade of Serving High School Artists

“I wish I had done a better job of extolling the efforts of Culture Shapers, Ernie, Lyn, Shawn and Kay, along with all the volunteers who put so much into making this event happen each year. I know that without the support of all your sponsors, Administaff, The Nathaniel Foundation and
many more this dream you have all been building would be impossible.

There are no words to express the admiration I have for this endeavor, and I know that any meager attempts on my part to help out, moving chairs, checking in work, and sitting out pieces before the judging days cannot remotely be compared to the work that is logistically required, I hope you know that any time I have surrounding this event is your time.

The recognition these young artist received today from Culture Shapers will affect the rest of their lives, and therefore ours. I believe that the seeds for the next generation of art educators are also generated by the efforts of Culture Shapers.

These are two things I have spent my life working toward, and so therefore I feel such a deep connection to and an immense appreciation for you all. Besides all that being said, you are all such caring, fun, and dedicated people with such an infectious love of kids and life who would not want to be around you?”

“I thought I’d just say what a wonderful time I had at the Culture Shapers award ceremony this year. It means a lot to me that other people enjoyed my drawing and for it to be selected as a winner was a great honor.

Bless Yee, who won the Danny Wood Heart in Art Award last year, is someone who has really inspired me to be a better artist and person. Although she graduated last year, the impression she left on our class is still very alive in the art room.

This year, hearing the story of Courtney Mayo was incredible and the artwork of all the students has got me excited for the future.

Thanks again, and I’ll be sure to keep up with Culture Shapers in the future as you continue to shape the lives of so many young people.”

“I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone from Culture Shapers. Even though I was pretty much a complete nervous wreck the entire time, my experience at the awards ceremony Thursday night was awesome.

It was really cool to see a little paragraph about me on the new blog entry on the ceremony. I didn’t expect the lack of vision in my right eye to be mentioned at all that night, and to see it on the website just made me appreciate the whole experience of this contest even more. It’s not just a win-or-lose competition… I know a lot of work goes into the contest, and it really shows.

Winning money is definitely nice, but what made the night amazing was that Culture Shapers encourages and really makes the winning artists feel appreciated. Thanks for an incredible experience!”

“If you live in the world of art education, you know that art contests come and go. There are literally hundreds of them over a period of years. Few make a difference in students lives or emphasize quality art regardless of subject matter. Almost none offer students rewards that will allow them to continue their education after high school. It is next to impossible to find a competition that achieves both.

Culture Shapers is uniquely significant in that it does just that! It not only recognizes and rewards significant work in the field of art for a large number of students, but it also celebrates in a very public venue the achievements of art students in the city of Houston and the surrounding area.

At a time when few events were focusing on the visual arts, Culture Shapers chose to step up to the plate, so to speak. Unlike many art events in which the producers would benefit commercially, these passionate visionaries developed and refined an art extravaganza that has recognized and rewarded the work of outstanding art students for the sole purpose of making a positive difference in their lives.

This program has also allowed a great many outstanding art students to continue their education after high school that never would have had the resources to do so in other circumstances. Perhaps even more significant has been the intrinsic rewards hundreds of students have received — a sense of value and self worth!

Talented students in the visual arts, a group long overlooked in many learning institutions, have found their champions in Culture Shapers! This organization works tirelessly to raise funds to this end! I am always in awe of their spirit of giving to make our culture a better place. These folks truly are culture shapers as they touch and change so many art students’ lives!”

“I’d just like to say thank you to every contributor at this years’ Culture Shapers event. I had a great time and enjoyed every minute. Just being on the main stage next to such talented artists was a huge honor. So once again thank you so much to everyone who makes this contest possible and all the hard work and money that goes towards the appreciation of young artists.”

“First, let me thank you (once again) for bringing this opportunity to our students. The Culture Shapers program brings more than just dollars to the many students who enter the competition… or for that matter, even surf the website. Granted, the money provides a strong incentive, but I feel the appeal is much broader for both students and teachers.

As trite as it might sound, this competition opens doors for many and intensifies the drive in others. From that first search for the ground rules to the last announcement at the awards program, students and teachers clearly understand this event is unique.

Teachers have had to rethink instructional strategies and refocus priorities, and students have had to step up in order to be competitive. The underlying message is subtle but clear… our students reflect the current culture and they are the ones we must make a lasting connection
with in order to influence the future.”

“This is my 4th year teaching at Kerr High School in Alief and my second time to attend the Culture Shapers awards ceremony. I was so moved by the speech about the Heart in Art recipient. I was trying my hardest not to cry!

As I sat there in the dark, trying to remain composed, I could see out of the corner of my eye, my tough-as-nails little student, Briseida, was crying as well. Your words touched us and inspired us.

I am a dedicated teacher and definitely didn’t get into teaching expecting any accolades or anything like that. Nonetheless, I am so excited and thankful for this art contest as a way to honor our hard-working art students, art teachers and administrators.

Thank you for all your hard work and I hope to see you again next year!”