I recently had the unique opportunity to travel to Washington DC on Thursday with 5 out of the 6 students from Harris County that have work currently showcased at the Art.Write.Now.DC exhibit at the US Department of Education and President's Committee on Arts and Humanities.

Harris County Department of Education was able to sponsor this trip for the students from Harris County. It was truly my honor to celebrate with these talented students!

Students being honored include teen writers Amy Dong (critical essay) from St. John’s Upper School (who is now a freshman at NYU), Peyton Vasquez (personal essay/memoir) from Deer Park Middle School in Deer Park ISD, and Melanie Menkiti (short story) from The Village School. Artists are Andrea Conley (drawing and illustration), Pin Oak Middle School, Houston ISD; Erin Del Paggio (drawing and illustration), Kleb Intermediate, Klein ISD; and Judy Labib (photography), Cypress Woods High School, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

Congratulations to each of the students, educators, schools and districts!

Click here for the Resource Page: https://www.smore.com/y2pm9

See below video to share with students and educators

The Regional Scholastic ART and WRITING Gold and Silver Key Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday morning, March 25, 2017 at Alley Theatre. The ceremony will start at 10:00 a.m. and honor grades 9-12. We are VERY excited for this announcement! This place is REALLY incredible!! Check out pictures!

The Regional Scholastic ART and WRITING Gold and Silver Key Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday evening, March 30, 2017 at Match Mid-Town Arts and Theater Center Houston. The ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. and honor grades 7 & 8. We are super excited for this announcement! This place is REALLY neat!! Check out pictures!

This year's 9-12th grade GOLD and SILVER key art work will be on exhibit at Spring Street Studio from March 11-30, 2017. See pictures of Spring Street Studio! We are VERY excited about this venue! Should be REALLY neat for the students!

This year's 7th-8th grade GOLD and SILVER key art work will be on exhibit on the second floor of Texas Art Supply on Montrose from March 11-30, 2017. Texas Art Supply has been an incredible supporter of the Awards for many years! Thank you, local artist, Eepi Chadd and Texas Art Supply!!

"WATCH: The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the largest scholarship and recognition program for creative teenagers. Leo Bacan, from Miami, FL was one of the winners. He has started his schooling at an art college this fall, but we followed him to NYC last June, where he accepted his award at Carnegie Hall."

--CBS Evening News

You can view Leo's Award-winning Art Portfolio HERE!