Alief Student Artwork

PlaceMAKE Alief

Alief Student Artwork

Empowering students to connect values and creativity

A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER

LESLEY BRIONES

A

s a mother of three daughters and a former teacher, I have always believed art has the power to unlock our imaginations, tell unique stories, and teach us about ourselves.

I am honored to be a part of the PlaceMAKE P4 Art program, which uplifts student artists by transforming their artwork into murals and sculptures across Alief. Art is at the heart of all of our communities; not only does it brighten our streets, but it also highlights our shared identities.

There is no group that unites us more than our children.

When they pick up a pencil or mold clay, they are not just creating — they are discovering who they are and how they fit into the world around them. In this collection of student artwork, I hope you see the beauty of that discovery and the power our children hold.

This book – a true celebration of youth, imagination, and Alief – is a testament to the vital importance of art in both our schools and our neighborhoods.

All my best, Commissioner Lesley Briones

Table of Contents

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HOW THE PROJECT STARTED

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TEACHER’S MESSAGE

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STUDENT ART

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JUSTIN CASTILLO

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BELINDA GUZMAN

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HARLEIGH DEAHN MORGAN

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11 OLUWATITO OLUFEKO

FRANCESS NNEJI SHARON PIEDRASANTA

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KATLYN KHUU

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CHRISTINA LE (MAI)

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BRIANA RAMIREZ

THU THANH TRAN

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ALLISON TAN

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CATHY VI-DO PlaceMAKE Alief 1

How the project started March 2024

School Outreach:

Precinct 4 presented to over than 500 Alief ISD art students. Precinct 4 introduced students to the role local government plays in their community and handed out an assignment for students to reflect on values within their community and how that can be conveyed in art.

March 18, 2024 Kerr HS March 19, 2024 Kerr HS March 20, 2024 Hastings HS March 21, 2024 Taylor HS March 28, 2024 Elsik HS

Artist Evaluation:

March 28 - May 15

Call for Artists:

Student applications opened and students had an opportunity to submit pieces of art that were created based on the assignment handed out during the student outreach sessions.

May 15 – August 1 2024

Committee of personnel from various departments voted on the applicants based on a robust set of selection criteria that incorporated the lesson plan taught in class.

October 19

Alief Listening Tour: Art finalists unveiled and honored at the listening tour.

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Teacher’s Message Preparing Students For Tomorrow CARING FOR THEM TODAY

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he PlaceMAKE Art initiative has been a wonderful opportunity for the high school art students in Alief! Students met with Harris County Precinct 4 staff last spring and created artwork submissions that represented the values of the Alief community. Making art inspired by the values of Alief empowered students to share their artistic and creative talents outside of the classroom. Finalist Sharon Piedrasanta commented on how impactful this experience was for her stating,“I liked the fact that we got the opportunity to display something in our community, and I learned that we can make a happier and more welcoming environment by using art!”

Through this initiative, the finalist students will also have an opportunity to collaborate with local artists who will be translating their artwork into installations throughout the Alief community. Finalist Francess Nneji explained the value of connecting art with the community asserting, “These projects not only teach valuable artistic skills but also promote teamwork, civil engagement, and a sense of community. They allow students to take ownership of their surroundings and contribute positively to their community. Moreover, public art projects provide a physical way for students to see the real-world impact of their creativity and hard work, which is incredibly motivating and fulfilling!”

The PlaceMAKE Art initiative has also been a wonderful vehicle to advocate for the importance of the visual arts and their ability to foster creativity, critical thinking, and to communicate ideas regardless of one’s background to enrich daily life in the Alief community. As an art teacher, I have witnessed my students’ creative, personal, and academic growth through learning in art and of the lasting impacts these types of opportunities have on students and on their abilities to inspire others around them. Thank you, Harris County Precinct 4, for bringing this opportunity to the Alief high school art students! I am looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future together in empowering students through art across the Alief community!

Keri Reynolds Kerr High School Fine Arts

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Justin Castillo

Reward for Aiming High Art Description

My art piece is a mixture of words all cluttered together to form a shape of a trophy. All these words coming together all have something not only positive about them, but they all are, in some way, relating to the word achievement.

The trophy of words stands on top of a brown pedestal with the words “PUSH FORWARD” embedded onto it, colored blue. Confetti in the background to add on to the celebratory effect that’s trying to be pushed.

Artist: Justin Castillo What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

11th Grade

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Belinda Guzman

Idle Altar Art Description

An altar that has candles, flower petals, and Mexican breads.

Artist: Belinda Guzman What school or institution do you attend?

Alief Taylor High School Who is your art teacher?

Caston-Miller What is your grade level?

11th Grade

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Katlyn Khuu

One Whole Art Description

My artwork has a lot of different components that explain the different communities; I included sports, art, success, support, and companionship in this piece. Alief is about inclusion and being able to express yourself, so I thought it would be best to show people

working together to help a cause — which is essentially planting trees (original project). I also included some parts of my ethics, being able to help each other while working on a big piece or being there for each other. One big thing about Kerr is the graduates, so I included them.

Artist: Katlyn Khuu What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

9th Grade

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Christina Le (Mai)

Essence of Alief Art Description

My artwork is a display of the pride of Alief, which captures its core values. I drew a range of people, as well as a cat and a dog interacting in an environment with the classic Alief logo, representing the community. All of the people look different to represent the types of people I see daily within Alief.

They have the same heart shape and color to show how although all of them are different, all of their hearts are the same. The people in my artwork are all interacting, typically with their hands, which was a theme within my drawing.

The background color of my piece is the dark green that the Alief logo is typically affiliated with.

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Artist: Christina Le (Mai) What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

12th Grade

Harleigh DeAhn Morgan

The Journey of Culture and Self Discovery: An Alief Story Art Description

My artwork showcases a map-like structure that captures the beautiful journey one will embark on when discovering Alief as different country flags, values, and globes (planet Earth) are displayed. Furthermore, I included different greetings in various languages to continue to showcase just how diverse Alief is, setting it apart from many other communities across the Houston area.

Moreover, Alief is a hidden gem that I hope many get to discover and see in their lifetime (captured through my use of red X’s that depict the statement “X marks the spot”/treasure). Lastly, I included various shades of skin tones to continue to capture the essence of diversity that Alief is proud to showcase. My artwork allows viewers to experience a glimpse of what Alief has to offer and just how special it truly is.

Artist: Harleigh DeAhn Morgan What School or Institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

12th Grade

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Francess Nneji

Everyone Brings Something Different (to the table) Art Description

In my artwork, the focus is on a table with food from different cultures and people being respectful to each other handing each other food while the people are wearing their traditional attire. I included foods like Sushi, Curry, Kimchi, Jollof rice, tacos, burritos, etc. In the work, there are people toasting and celebrating and everyone is looking at each other with respect and appreciation. I included people from different countries wearing traditional clothing like a dashiki or Ankara. And some people are wearing embroidered robes, colorful saris, or kimonos.

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Artist: Francess Nneji What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

9th Grade

Oluwatito Olufeko

Heart of Alief Art Description

My artwork includes all the aspects that make Alief, Alief. It showcases some of the popular cultural groups, food, flags, school life, and buildings of the community.

All of this is surrounded by a heart as a testament to just how much love and joy Alief as a community has.

Artist: Oluwatito Olufeko What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

12th Grade

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Sharon Piedrasanta

Walk N Alief Art Description

My artwork displays people walking on a wide sidewalk: some talk to each other and others just walk by themselves pleased. There are businesses on the side and there is a woman in one of them waiting for customers happily. The most notable detail in my peace is the green dog standing at the very front. There is no particular reason why he’s green, I just wanted to add some weird unexplainable flair to my art.

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Artist: Sharon Piedrasanta What school or institution do you attend?

Reynolds Who is your art teacher?

Kerr High School What is your grade level?

12th Grade

Briana Ramirez

Mud Man Art Description

Mud man will show children that if they leave their community dirty and trashy, eventually they will create a mud man. And as the mud man is mud, he doesn’t enjoy seeing everyone dirty and muddy.

Artist: Briana Ramirez What school or institution do you attend?

Alief Taylor High School Who is your art teacher?

Caston-Miller What is your grade level?

9th Grade

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Allison Tan

A Colorful and Heartful Community Art Description

I would describe my artwork as a detailed representation of my life in Alief. As a student that’s lived in Alief almost their entire life, I wanted to include different parts of Alief as a whole. I used a wide variety of paint, watercolor, and pastels to effectively achive a comic style look. I sketched out and split my compostition into different parts that represent Alief’s diverse food and community. I outlined different things to showcase music, diversity, and unity.

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Artist: Allison Tan What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

12th Grade

Thu Thanh Tran

The Worth of Alief Art Description

My artwork shows two different big hands and the world to represent the diversity of students. There are seven balloon hearts to represent compassion, and each of them has different values. In one of these balloons, two people are hugging each other which is to show how caring and kind the school is. The handshake shows agreement and understanding despite how different they are. The recycling and the tree indicate the cleanliness and fresh environment Alief displays.

The dumbbell and the wrench with the hammer show how strong and problem-solving the school set. And lastly, the graduation hat presents how well the school education and learning have impacted many students from different backgrounds and races.

Artist: Thu Thanh Tran What School or Institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

9th Grade

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Cathy Vi-Do

Together Art Description

My artwork showcases the Alief community. I drew a group of people of varying genders, ethnicities, and ages. They all hold a poster with the words “Alief Proud,” showcasing teamwork and unity despite their unique cultural backgrounds and experiences. I drew them smiling and waving to convey the welcoming atmosphere of Alief.

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Artist: Cathy Vi-Do What school or institution do you attend?

Kerr High School Who is your art teacher?

Reynolds What is your grade level?

12th Grade

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