Top RodeoHouston student artworks sell for combined $475K at auction

The two top works of art at this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo together raised nearly a half million dollars at the rodeo’s student art program auction Sunday. 

Paintings from the grand and reserve grand champions of the annual art program, which helps fund scholarships, each were auctioned for at least $200,000, with the former tying a RodeoHouston record broken in 2023.

Here’s what to know about the award-winning artworks:

This year’s grand champion artwork, a piece titled “Warriors of the Great Spirit” by Clear Springs High School senior Eliza Hoffman, raised $275,000 in Sunday’s auction. The painting depicts two members of the Lakota tribe on horseback. 

Hoffman was last year’s reserve grand champion with a painting of a Cherokee woman named Morning Dove. That artwork was auctioned for $185,000. 

“It’s so hard to go from (second to first place), so I just wanted to focus on how I could individually focus on the painting,” Hoffman said in a statement provided by RodeoHouston. 

The 18-year-old artist’s 2024 entry was bought by Klein-based J. Alan Kent Development, Kristina and Paul Somerville, the Mulanax family and Bob Van Matre 

Reserve grand champion Sion Joon’s piece titled “Constant Companion” raked in $200,000 during Sunday’s auction. The painting features a man interacting with his dog, and Joo aimed to capture the devotion the pet has for its owner in the piece.

Sion, 16, was also the reserve class champion for a 3D class sculpture called “Bull’s Eye,” making her a rare double champion.

 “I finally recognize there are people who respect my work and support me,” she said, “so I’ll definitely continue my art in my career.”

The artwork was bought by Cheryl and Gary Deitcher; and Terry and Joe Agris.

“We do this because we love the kids,” said donor Terry Agris in a statement. “Guaranteeing a better life for young people who are focused on their future, if we can contribute anything to that, it’s a good thing.”