Twenty-nine winning entries headed for exhibit at Alamo, San Antonio Missions
Photos by Jeff Ramirez/VIA
Health Career High School sophomore Elisabeth Wang is joined by Alamo Living History Coordinator Ryan Badger and VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt during the awards presentation of VIA’s 2017 Youth Art Contest. Wang’s winning entry was selected Best of Show and will be featured on the exterior of a VIA bus for the next year.
SAN ANTONIO (May 18, 2017) – VIA Metropolitan Transit announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Youth Art Contest on Thursday as part of VIA’s commitment to encourage development of local talent, grow awareness of transit themes, and create art in transit displays.
The popular art contest was open to students in grades pre-K through 12 in the VIA service area. Twenty-nine winning entries were selected to be displayed throughout the VIA fleet and be featured in a first-of-its-kind exhibit at the Alamo and San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site in observance of Preservation Month. This year’s call for entries drew more than 4,000 original art pieces inspired by the theme “EXPLORE … Plan your next adventure on VIA.” Students were encouraged to feature public transportation scenes that highlight area landmarks and points of interest, such as museums, parks, and the San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site.
“The EXPLORE theme inspired young artists to capture the history and culture of our region, and imagine all the ways to connect to these important places, riding VIA,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “For 22 years, VIA has celebrated young artists, their teachers, and families who support the Youth Art Contest as champions of art in transit. Their creativity is an inspiration.”
Thursday’s awards announcement featured a presentation and living history demonstration by Ryan Badger, Alamo Complex Management’s living history coordinator, from the perspective of Davy Crockett, famed defender of the Alamo—the most-recognized missions site and the most-visited site in all of Texas.
First- and second-place winners from each grade level were announced at Thursday’s event. One entry, by Elisabeth Wang, a 10th-grade student at Health Careers High School, was named Best of Show. Her artwork is featured on the exterior of two VIA buses, courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor. The winning selections will be showcased at the Alamo and San Antonio Missions on Saturday, May 20, 2017, through a partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, the National Park Service, the Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio, and the Alamo Complex Management.
VIA provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality, and enhance quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association in 2016 as the outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 90 routes. Last year, VIA provided 40 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The winners of the 2017 VIA Youth Art Contest are joined by VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt in front of a bus featuring Health Careers High School sophomore Elisabeth Wang’s entry, which was selected Best of Show.
The winners of the 2017 VIA Youth Art Contest are joined by VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt in front of a bus featuring Health Careers High School sophomore Elisabeth Wang’s entry, which was selected Best of Show.2017 VIA Youth Art Contest Winners
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