Hemmenway Elementary School third grade student Amelia Avila stands next to her artwork at the CFISD Rodeo Art Exhibit on Jan. 23 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Nov. 26, 2024—The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) named CFISD a 2024 District of Distinction award winner, marking the fourth time the district has earned the prestigious designation. CFISD is among only 96 districts in the state to earn this award.

More than 1,200 school districts were eligible to apply for the 2024 award. Each district was required to submit documentation demonstrating it met criteria from a rigorous 14-point rubric during the 2023-2024 school year. The rubric examines a district’s visual art programs from participation in TAEA through membership, exhibitions and contests to community engagement in the visual arts through field experiences, community service and collaboration with other content areas.

Cypress Ridge High School graduate Amaya Hayes’ artwork, “Once In A Lifetime,” won a Gold Seal Medallion at the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). A Gold Seal Medallion is the contest’s highest honor and is awarded to students who received a Rating V. VASE is one of many contests that CFISD middle and high school students enter their work in throughout the year.

“Receiving the TAEA District of Distinction designation is a testament to the dedication of our art educators and the incredible talent of our students,” said Lee Carrier, CFISD visual arts coordinator. “This recognition highlights the power of art education to inspire creativity, foster community engagement and nurture the artistic development of all students.”

The District of Distinction award was created by TAEA in 2019. The award honors school districts that are providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connects learners to their community and beyond. CFISD previously won the distinction in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

CFISD, along with other 2024 District of Distinction winners, were honored at the TAEA Fall Conference at Moody Gardens in Galveston on Nov. 15.

Bridgeland High School sophomore Emma Cardenas poses in front of the Precinct 4 bus that features her artwork outside of Bridgeland on March 7. Cardenas’ artwork was the first winner in Precinct 4’s bus design contest “From Palette to Pavement: Student Art on Precinct 4 Buses.”

Langham Creek High School graduate Catriona Clarke’s artwork was selected to be displayed in the TAEA Youth Art Month Exhibit at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin during the month of March. The exhibit showcases pre-K through 12th grade works of art from across the state of Texas as part of Youth Art Month, which is celebrated during the month of March.