When you think of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, you don’t automatically think about Urban Art, at least not until recently. On Friday, November 3, those worlds came together in the Judson High School Art studio.
The Judson High School Urban Art Class, under the leadership of art teacher Charles Smith, donated an original piece to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
“Every year, we enter students in the Rodeo Western Art Contest. This year, I wanted to put a new twist on it. Being an urban art class, we don't think ‘western,’ so we needed to showcase what we are about,” Smith said.
The work donated to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo showed exactly what the Urban Art class was about while staying true to the rodeo theme and their art genre. Each student created a square of the piece, making it a true reflection of their creativity.
Executive Director and CEO of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Cody Davenport was excited to accept the piece that will be framed and prominently displayed in a classroom where many student competitors will see it.
Davenport said he wasn’t an expert in Urban Art but had attended another state’s rodeo where Urban Art was incorporated into an entire section of their grounds. This kind of collaboration was something he had been thinking about for some time and he hopes it can continue.
“Even though we may dress differently. You’re from San Antonio and this is your home. This is your rodeo,” Davenport said.
The JHS Urban Art class has put their own unique and beautiful stamp on the Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo and Smith couldn’t be happier about the outcome.
“I am so proud of these kids and their efforts. I am so proud they took this on and knocked it out of the ballpark. These kids are so talented and to have them collaborate and create something so special...man, I'm blessed to have such a special group,” Smith said.
