A Decade of Service to High School Artists

Shawn and Kay Hesketh were honored for a decade of service to high school artists in Houston during the 9th Annual Culture Shapers Visual Arts Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 20th, 2008.
Ernie Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the art contest, along with his wife, Lyn, presented the award to the Heskeths in front of a live audience, as he credited Shawn with the original idea for the Culture Shapers art contest as the result of a series of brainstorming meetings in 1999.

“In the wake of the Columbine school tragedy, we began to ask, ‘What can we do to serve the high school students of our city, giving them hope for a brighter future?’ The answer was to serve them, and encourage them to use their creative, right-brained abilities in positive ways, shaping their culture—and ours—for the better,” Ernie explained. “Simply put, this contest would never have gotten off the ground if it were not for the work of this couple.”

Kay was recognized for her work as Administrator of the contest for the first eight years, and Ernie congratulated her on her recent decision to begin homeschooling the Hesketh’s three small children.

“In the beginning, Kay had it under control,” he joked. “Then along came one kid, and Kay said, ‘I can still do both of these.’ Then along came the second kid. And Kay said, ‘I can still do this.’ Then along came the third kiddo. And finally, Kay said, ‘It’s time for me to focus on raising these kids.’ And we commend her for that decision.”

“It has been our great pleasure to serve alongside Ernie & Lyn, on behalf of our good friends at Administaff and The Nathaniel Foundation, to create this opportunity for the talented student artists in this room, and all across our city,” said Shawn.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed art, drawing, and graphic design. Being the oldest of seven children, there wasn’t exactly a college fund from which to pay for art school. So when I finished high school, I went about learning graphic design the hard way… by reading everything I could get my hands on, and asking lots of questions.
“Along the way, I had the support of a couple of graphic designers who took me under their wing, and thanks to their encouragement, I’m still in business today, after 20 years. It has always been my goal to do the same thing for other young artists and designers, encouraging them and creating opportunities for them that I did not have growing up.
“If it is true that we are the product of those with whom we surround ourselves, then it is we who owe you the debt of gratitude. We are who we are today because of your friendship, because of the relationships with those of you who are in this room, and so we thank you. We are honored.”
Since the first art contest in 2000, Culture Shapers has awarded more than $700,000 to student artists from all across Houston, thanks in large part to corporate partners Administaff and The Nathaniel Foundation. More than 10,000 students have entered the Culture Shapers visual and performing art contests, representing 73 high schools in 23 independent school districts.
Lisa Canorro, art teacher at Kerr High School and recipient of the 2008 “Teacher of the Year” award had this to say about Shawn and Kay…

“Kay and Shawn, even though I know you have your hands full and are no longer the big ‘movers and shakers’ of Culture Shapers as you once were, you will always be part of the foundation, strength, and heart of what made and continues to make this event more than just an art competition. You truly deserve the recognition you received last night.”

Shawn & Kay remain committed to creating opportunities for young artists, and are in the process of developing a unique internship program designed to better prepare them to run their own graphic design businesses with character, integrity, and the highest standard of excellence.

“There will never be another Shawn & Kay Hesketh,” concluded Lyn Fitzpatrick

Thank you, Culture Shapers!