Los Leones Student Arts Festival puts spotlight on the arts

Los Leones

The 24th annual Los Leones Student Arts Festival is back in full force with something for everyone. This family-oriented event will be held on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes an art show and sale with more than thousands of pieces of high-quality student artwork by NISD students.

Admission is free and open to the public. There will be food, games, and fun for the whole family. Cash only will be accepted on site. The event will be held at Marshall High School in Leon Valley on 8000 Lobo Lane.

Art exhibits open at 9:00 a.m. followed by the opening ceremony and awards program beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the Main Stage.

There will be four performance venues for performing artists. Main Stage will feature 9:00 Marshall Vocal Jazz, 10:00 Award Ceremony & Chalkfest Kick-Off, 11:00 Jay Mariachi, 11:30 Neff/Jones Mariachi, 11:45 Lieck ES Choir, 12:00 Lieck ES Choir, 12:15 Adams Hill ES Choir, 12:30 Leon Valley Percussion, 12:45 Steubing ES Percusssion / Strings, 1:00- Holmes Mariachi, 1:30 Clark Vocal Jazz Ensemble

The Courtyard Area will feature 9:00 Clark HS Jazz Ensemble, 11:00 Burke ES Choir, 11:30 Henderson ES Choir, 11:45 Los Reyes ES Choir, 12:00 Jay Mariachi, 12:30 Stevens HS Jazz Ensemble, 1:00 Brennan HS Guitar Ensemble, 1:30 Vale Jazz Ensemble

The Cafeteria will feature 9:00 Harlan Dance, 9:15 Jefferson Dance & Theatre, 9:45 Zachry Dance, 11:00 Pease Dance, 11:15 Luna Dance, 11:30 O’Connor Dance, 11:45 Taft Dance, 12:00 Bernal Dance, 12:15 Warren Dance, 12:30 Jordan Dance, 12:45 Vale Dance, 1:00 Folks Dance, 1:15 Jones, 1:30 Connally Dance & Theatre, 1:45 Straus Dance

We have added a new entertainment venue. The Rotunda will feature student soloist singers and theatre duets.   

In addition, there will be a large variety of food booths, art demonstrations, our very own Northside Museum, CTE students, plus much more. There is plenty to do for the entire family.

The festival will once again include Transformational Treasures (version of Flea Market Flip). Teams of Fine Art teachers will create a product using recycle items. The final products will be judged and auctioned off and the proceeds will benefit the Marcy Meffert Art Scholarship to be awarded to a Northside Art student who will be majoring in art. 

This year’s grand prize winner in the publicity contest is Ana Sofia Villanueva, a fourth-grade student at Leon Springs Elementary School. Her winning art, titled “Leon The Artist” will be featured on the publicity poster and event t-shirt. Her art teacher is Michelle Gonzales.

Other winners include:

Elementary category: Isabela Villanueva, first place, Leon Springs ES; Janelle Canlapan, second place, Steubing ES; and Presley Magharing, third place, Ellison ES.

Middle School category: Madalyn Viquez, first place, Jefferson Lucia Suzich, second place, Folks MS; and Lydia Ireland, third place, Folks MS.

High School category: Mariska Coleman, first place, Stevens HS; Sophia Torres, second place, O’Connor HS; and Amaris Longoria, third place, Communications Arts HS. 

The inspiration and collaboration of former Leon Valley Mayor Marcy Meffert and NISD Fine Arts Director James Miculka, Los Leones was developed to encourage student artists and help them to learn “the business of art,” while establishing an active arts community in the city of Leon Valley.

Judges from the community will select their personal “pick of show” awarding $25 prizes in the categories of elementary, middle, and high school art.

The event is a partnership of the city of Leon Valley, Northside ISD, and the Northside Education Foundation and showcases the artwork of numerous Northside students, teachers, and visiting artists.