HAPPY RIO HOLIDAYS

In the halls of Palo Alto Elementary lies an admirable piece of artwork by an artist named Ismael Pena. Ismael is an artistic fifth grader who attends the elementary school. He was the winner of the Fiesta River Parade art contest held last month. Every year the Texas Cavaliers organization ask local elementary schools to submit students’ artwork depicting the theme of the annual Fiesta River Parade. Hundreds maybe even thousands of drawings are entered, however, only 10 finalists are chosen. Each finalist represents one of the 10 City Council Districts. Out of the 10 finalists only one piece of art is chosen to be the triumphant grand winner. Ismael Pena excelled in his art drawing and surpassed the other 9 finalists. He is now the Honorary Grand Marshal of the River Parade and will get to travel on the float. Ismael’s artwork will be on the cover of the River Parade program which is distributed to all ticket holders throughout San Antonio. He also earned a $1,000 worth of art supplies for his school. His artwork theme is HAPPY RIO HOLIDAYS, which is absolutely bold and colorful. I think his purpose was to not only incorporate the holidays in his work by drawing seasonal figures on the float, but also to display the downtown area by adding the Tower of Americus and the surrounding buildings in the background. The focal point of this art is the King Antonio right in the center. This is an asymmetrical piece with motion going on in the fireworks display and also in the river. Ismael’s talent was highly recognized and truly appreciated by all. He is a young boy with a great talent that will inspire and bring him success for the future.