Eliza Hoffman, a Clear Springs High School senior, was named the 2024 School Art Grand Champion by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Her “Warriors of the Great Spirit” painting was selected from thousands of entries and presented during the School Art Program Awards Ceremony on February 10, 2024.
“I am very grateful that they chose my piece for the Grand Champion and for the support and encouragement from those around me,” said Hoffman. “My goal was to accomplish creating something that was better than the things that I have done before.”
Hoffman earned the Reserve Grand Champion title last year for her “Morning Dove” painting, which sold for $185,000 at the 2023 Rodeo School Art Auction. This was her fourth year competing for the top prize. She estimates she spent around 350 total hours creating her final product.
“The level of talent from all the students in the Houston Rodeo art program is extremely high,” said Clear Springs High School art teacher Eric Pearce. “These are students making artworks at the level of advanced artists beyond their years. To have Eliza’s painting selected as the Grand Champion of this exceptional group is a really special honor for her,” Pearce added.
Students spend many hours creating and perfecting their artwork during the last several months to enter the School Art Program. This year, about 200,000 students representing 100 public school districts and 53 private schools participated, with only 72 moving on to the School Art Auction on March 10.
Winning artwork will be displayed in the Hayloft Gallery, located in the lobby of NRG Center, throughout the 2024 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from Feb. 27-March 17.
