On September 12, 2025, Conroe ISD hosted their districtwide art show to celebrate talented artists ranging from elementary to high school. More than 400 pieces of work were displayed at this prestigious event, 16 of them belonging to students of The Woodlands High School.
Dr. Lisa Davis, Conroe ISD’s Coordinator of Fine Arts, brings into perspective the extensive work and preparation required of such an event. “The reason for doing it was to celebrate student art and celebrate the talents of the artists that we have in this district,” Davis explains. The selection process goes as follows: “It is [a] lengthy [process],” she confesses, “We do our basic selection of the pieces over two different nights in May. One night, we select all our secondary [pieces]–which is junior high school. And then the second night, we select all our elementary and intermediate [pieces]. Altogether, we select about 350 2D pieces, and then we have selection for our 3D pieces, which runs between 50 and 60 additional pieces.”
When asked why Davis appreciates this art show so much, she describes it as “one of the most glorious days of the year” because “everybody is just glowing and benefiting. Even if it’s not their [own] work, they’re still enjoying seeing it.” Surrounded by pieces made by such exceptional young artists, Davis expresses that many students “will watch or look at everybody else’s stuff, and then come back, and go, ‘I’m going to try that technique’ or ‘I’m going to try that subject matter’”
Hunter McLeod, art teacher at The Woodlands High School, brings us into the process of preparing such talented pieces: “Everything takes a long time…We take a lot of reference photos with other kids in the room [before putting it on paper], so it’s a long process, and there’s a lot of different aspects to it.” McLeod mentions that many of these students are getting “the gallery experience” before they eventually go on to exhibit at professional galleries, appreciating the firsthand glance into their future art careers. “[At this] high level…we go primarily for their narrative and what they’re trying to say [for] the point they’re trying to get across” remarks McLeod. He states that his role in these students’ creative processes is “to critique them,” “to push their narratives further,” and “to push their storytelling.”
Even Dennis Muehsler–principal of The Woodlands High School–attended the district art show, and acknowledges how incredible and talented these artists are: “It’s so impressive to me for someone to have something in their head and be able to put it on paper right there.” Being able to witness the works of such talented students, Muehsler describes himself as “a huge fan” and how “impressive” these students truly are.
Unlike other activities that rely on performance and rowdy audiences, art is an independent process, making these artworks harder to recognize. “We don’t sing on stages or march at Friday Night football games,”says Dr. Lisa Davis, “and so they decided many years ago that we needed a way to celebrate artists, you know, the quiet ones of the fine arts.”
The annual art show brings artists of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences who all share a passion. Not just a showcase, Conroe ISD’s annual art show is a day when people come together to “make connections with all these young artists through the district,” says Davis. “Those little moments throughout the day that just make all of the work and the blood, sweat, and tears and all of that worth it.”
