Celebrating 2013 AISD Youth Art Month

Bowie sophomore Eric Moe signs a billboard featuring his artwork at 1602 S. Lamar.

On this bright, crisp spring morning I had the chance to ascend to billboard heights with one of our district's talented artists. It's part of our district's 2013 celebration of Youth Art Month. Bowie sophomore Eric Moe's artwork was selected as the first place winner in the 2013 annual AISD Youth Art Month contest. It is displayed on billboards throughout the city (see the list of locations below).




Each year, the first place winner of the AISD Youth Art Month billboard competition has the opportunity to sign one of the billboards displaying his or her work. This year, Eric signed the billboard at the corner of Collier and S. Lamar St., with Bowie art teacher Martha Anne Kuntz  and me alongside for the ride.

Eric's fellow Bowie High art students came to cheer him on.

Once again this year, fire fighters from the Austin Fire Department helped us to belt up and stay safe. Thanks to all of these professionals for giving their time and expertise each year to support the fine arts in AISD!

Fire fighters from the Austin Fire Department helped raise the bucket to billboard height and keep us safe.

Third Place Winner Julia Lund, Bowie principal Stephen Kane, Eric Moe, Art Teacher Martha Ann Kuntz, Bowie Asst. Principal Larry Britton, and Second Place Winner Jordan Brittain. Bowie art students won first, second and third place in this year's competition. Last year, Julia Lund created the winning billboard art.

Eric's artwork is displayed on billboards in these ten locations throughout town:
1208 11th Street
1608 35th Street
800 Airport Boulevard
1521 Anderson Lane
601 Ben White Boulevard
1602 Lamar Boulevard South
3701 Manor Boulevard
6400 Riverside Drive
5500 Springdale Road
US 290 West

The original piece is on display, along with the work of the second and third place winners, at the  2013 Youth Art Month Show at One Congress Plaza, 111 Congress Avenue. These winning works, as well as more than 1500 other works of art by students from 114 elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district, will be on display in the lobby  of One Congress Plaza until  Monday, April 15. Thanks to Thomas Properties Group, an AISD Art Program sponsor, for donating space for this annual event.

Mark Curry, one of our district's most committed volunteers, joined me at the Youth Art Show.

Here are some of the wonderful pieces on display: