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» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
May 10, 2007
Pride and joy were the strongest emotions at last night’s Hobby Airport 80th Anniversary Art Contest Awards Ceremony. Cheering and applause could be heard throughout the airport’s Central Concourse as students and parents alike reveled in the delight of seeing their art works displayed along the main entrance of Hobby’s ticketing lobby.
 
Some were overcome by emotion and could not hold back from pushing the envelope just a nudge to get the perfect picture. As of yesterday, dozens of art works from area students will adorn the walls of Houston’s second-largest airport through the end of the year in honor of the airport’s 80th anniversary year.
 
Entire families turned out to support the first, second and third place winners of this unique art contest that called on hundreds of student artists from local schools to submit their best artistic renderings of the airport.
 
The contest was simple: express through art what Hobby Airport means to you. After several weeks of working in the classroom to showcase their talents, last night’s award recipients received the news that they were the winners of the art contest.
 
For many, this was the first time they had ever set foot inside of an airport – let alone ever won an art competition. Some were simply amazed and overjoyed.
 
Others relished at the opportunity of shining in the limelight. All, however, expressed a new appreciation for the historical gem that is Hobby Airport.
 
Hobby Airport Manager Mary Case, who originally came up with the idea for an art contest, and Jill Jewett, special assistant for the Mayor's Office of Cultural Arts, expressed extreme delight with the crowd’s excitement.
 
“Hopefully this experience is an eye-opener for these students,” Case added. “Not only for their tremendous artistic abilities, but also to the many career opportunities that are available to them in the aviation industry.”
 
For the airport’s staff, this experience was also a singular opportunity. Hobby’s physical plant maintenance crew carefully designed and created the décor that now serves as a backdrop to the 37 student art works.
 
Each student received a trophy honoring their hard work and a special certificate of appreciation from Mayor Bill White.
 
“We are honored to provide a great venue to showcase the talent of these young artists,” Case expressed. “Their vision shows us the positive impact of Hobby and aviation in all of our lives.”
 
A panel of seven judges, which included professional artists and representatives from local art institutions, selected the first, second and third place winners from each grade level. Some parents added their own token of appreciation – mostly roses and hugs.
 
When it was all said and done many decided to stick around and look one more time at the gallery that will expose their art works to millions.
Pam Ingersoll, art coordinator for the Houston Airport System, called the event a tremendous success.
"Houston is such a rich city when it comes to the arts," she noted. "Our airports are the perfect venue to expose the rest of the nation and the world to the local talents that call Houston home."
Built in 1927, Hobby Airport was Houston’s first commercial airport. Today it serves over 8.5 million travelers a year. To view photographs of the first place art works and a complete list of the art contest winners Click Here.
Copyright © 2007 - Houston Airport System
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