SAISD SPOTLIGHT: Poe Middle School Art teacher Mario Garcia can speak to inspiring students about art careers, through the school’s participation in CowParade
Poe Middle School is buzzing with news coming out of their art classrooms. Garcia and his students created a pair of designs that have been selected to take part in this year’s return of CowParade to San Antonio. CowParade is the largest and most successful public art event in the world. The events feature life-size, cow sculptures painted and transformed by local artists. At the conclusion of each event, the cows are sold at auction for the benefit of local non-profit organizations.
Two Poe MS students created designs that art classes will paint onto the fiberglass cow that will be delivered to campus on Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. One design centers around the Aztec Sun Stone, with the second mixing up several Texas motifs.
What the students learn and experience during this process is priceless. First, students receive affirmation, maybe for the first time in their lives, that a career in art is possible. Student artists go through the whole process of working with a client: designing their idea and refining that creation before submitting it for approval. Then it’s time to complete for which they have been commissioned. Secondly, students get the opportunity to pour their soul into their art. Students offer their vision of the world through their work, which reaffirms their humanity. Finally, with the altruistic aspect of having their CowParade sculpture auctioned off to benefit the Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, possibly for thousands of dollars, students witness in real time how art impacts the community and changes lives in a positive way.
Calendar items
Sept 14 (Sat) – Harris Middle School Mariachis at Fiesta Mexicana
11 a.m., Little Flower Basilica, 1715 N Zarzamora St., 78201
The Harris Middle School Mariachis will be performing at the Fiesta Mexicana event taking place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.
Sept 15 (Sun) – Burbank High School Mariachis at the Pearl Viva Dieciseis event
5:45 p.m., The Pearl, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
The Burbank High School award-winning Mariachi Estrella de Oro will help usher in the Dieciseis celebration commemorating Mexico’s Independence Day.
Sept 16 (Mon) – Poe Middle School receives cow for CowParade art benefit
9 a.m., Poe Middle School, 814 Aransas Ave., 78210
Students at Poe Middle School were selected to participate in CowParade, which is returning to San Antonio this year as a benefit for Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital. On Monday, Sept. 16, the fiberglass cow will be delivered to the school. Art students will then paint a design they created. The final product will be on public display in the city of San Antonio later this winter, and later the cows will be auctioned off and sold for the benefit of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. CowParade is one of the largest and most successful public art events in the world, featuring life-sized cow sculptures painted and transformed by local artists.
Sept 16 (Mon) – SAISD Board Meeting
5:30 p.m., SAISD Board Room, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212 or online
Link: https://www.saisd.net/page/dis-board-videos
The SAISD Board of Trustees will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at the central administrative office.
Sept 19 (Thurs) – SAISD Viva La Familia 2024 Parent Institute
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
Families are invited to the 2nd annual ¡Viva La Familia 2024! Parent Institute hosted by the SAISD Dual Language, ESL & Migrant Department. State Senator Jose Menendez is the keynote speaker. Families will find a wealth of services and resources available to them through local agencies that will set up in house. Entertainment by SAISD Mariachis and lunch will be provided.