ART EXHIBITS

grand prize
winner

Heather Steele

Inspiration: There is a place called Middleton Ranch in the North Eastern portion of Blanco County that has been in our family for generations. My son, who is depicted in my painting, is the 6th generation to play in the spring fed creek of the "upper falls". Every year since 2003 we hold an annual week long "Steele Kids' Camp" to instill the traditions of the family to the next generation. Kids ranging in age from 5 to 18 participate in various camp activities like swimming, working cattle, ranger ride and cedar clearing. It is our endeavor to teach the next generation to keep our family traditions and way of life strong and our beloved creeks will never run dry!

Youth winner

Autumn Seltzer

Inspiration: I wanted to show a field of lavender and Texas wildflowers. I felt that the picture needed something that tied it to Blanco and the court house called to me. The sunset in the painting is from a real picture I took on the river.

honorable Mentions
Grand Prize

Jan Foerster

Blanca Monroy

Heather Turner

Casey Karhan

honorable Mentions
youth Prize

Grayson Steele

Brenna Kersten

Chayelyn Green

Exhibits

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Kathy Kersten

“The idea/inspiration for my entry came from the well-known song, Deep in the Heart of Texas. We need to make our water as famous as our “stars at night.”

Alayna Steele

“This painting displays the beauty of the Pedernales State Park. I
was inspired to paint this scene because of the vibrant colors and massive clouds. It connects to the theme because preserving
water keeps Texas beautiful. Without water Texas will become a barren wasteland.”

Jan Foerster

“I painted my picture from a photo I took several years ago along a low water crossing on Cox Road. I always loved the view, but in recent years I have been saddened by how low the water has become. It rises of course after good rains, but I feel our rapid growth in and around Blanco has contributed greatly to its very slow flow. The beauty is still there, but I hope we can act more responsibly with our growth and perhaps our beautiful river will flow strongly once again.”

Brenna Kersten

“Blanco River, ways we use water.”

Heather Turner

“I am an art teacher at Blanco Elementary and wanted to inspire my
students to make art. I also am a supporter of water conservation
and understand how important it is to the people and the wildlife.
Water is part of the landscape, nourishing crops, used for farming
and ranching, and used by everyone!”

Lincoln Welch

“There is a river running through our community in Blanco, so I included that. Our river provides fishing opportunities and our communities water is used for drinking. I enjoy walking and exploring near our rivers in Texas.

Heather Steele

There is a place called Middleton Ranch in the North Eastern portion of Blanco County that has been in our family for generations. My son, who is depicted in my painting, is the 6th generation to play in the spring fed creek of the "upper falls". Every year since 2003 we hold an annual week long "Steele Kids' Camp" to instill the traditions of the family to the next generation. Kids ranging in age from 5 to 18 participate in various camp activities like swimming, working cattle, ranger ride and cedar clearing. It is our endeavor to teach the next generation to keep our family traditions and way of life strong and our beloved creeks will never run dry!

Hazel Cardona

“I love art and I love to go swimming and fishing in the Blanco
River.”

Rebecca Lightfoot OShea

“I was inspired to enter to push myself out of my comfort zone and to share my artwork with the community. I painted a bend in the Blanco River though it is only in my mind. I used my memory to incorporate different colors, rocks, water features and plants I’ve seen during my hikes into our local parks.”

Landree Raley

“I drew a boy fishing at the Blanco River because me and my dad and my brother go to the Blanco River it is really fun to do stuff with my family. It inspired me because we love to fish, swim and look at the Blanco River.”

Chayelyn Green

“What inspired my thing is ya’ll said Texas runs on water.”

Zoe Scarborough

“Can I have a little bit of jelly? Don’t waste water, mom.”

Nova Scarborough

"My artwork is about purple blue water. I remember my b??? of the color so I made that. We went to the deep water and there was green under there."

Kim Bayless

“We need water like rivers and lakes to grow grass, flowers, and trees. Our beautiful blue bonnets need our water. People fish, swim, and use our water to stay alive. Blanco is beautiful because of our river and all of our water.”

Casey Karhan

“Water is the mother of life! Without it we wither! The inverted triangle is used as a symbol for water.”

Pete Garcia

“I am a lifelong Blanco resident. I have observed the Blanco river changes over time.”

Autumn Seltzer

“I wanted to show a field of lavender & Texas wildflowers. I felt that the picture needed something that tied it to Blanco & the court house called to me. The sunset in the painting is from a real picture I took on the river.”

Alyssa Chandler

Grayson Steele

“I did a painting of me and my little brother fishing on the Pedernales River in Johnson City. Without water there would be no fishing and no life.”

Barbara Van Tassel

“Over 100 years ago, landowners in the hill country knew it was necessary to drill into the hills to obtain enough water to sustain their families, livestock and crops. Some things don’t change.”

Tammy Corbette

“This art represents that all living beings – animals, humans, and plants – are connected and rely on the same life-giving source, symbolized by rainwater, to thrive, just as rain nourishes the earth. Helping plants grow, and humans flourish, it highlights the shared dependence we all have on nature. This connection serves as a reminder of the balance and harmony needed to coexist and thrive together through water.”

Rebecca Renaud

“My inspiration for this painting comes from my background in civil engineering which includes determining watersheds for water flow and flood analysis. Watersheds are to the earth as blood veins are to the human body. This is evident in my painting.”

Trevor Wright

“The ability to tap into and use groundwater made the settlement of Blanco County possible, and the Eclipse Standard ‘A’ windmill is emblematic of that feat. In the print, the yellow represents a burning Texas sky in drought; the blue and green of the windmill and cistern represent water and life.”

Blanca Monroy

“Every drop of rain is important and vital for living in this beautiful country. From livestock to wildlife. Everything depends on rain that feeds our water sources. Rivers, lakes, creeks, cave systems, and aquifers are waiting for a drop of rain.”

Laura Valero

“’Pray for Rain’ depicts the vulnerable state of the dwindling water source. Utilizes pastel and watercolor to convey the fragility and beauty of our waterways. As we gaze upon the gentle hues and soft textures, we’re reminded of the urgent need for water conservation and responsible stewardship of our resources.”

grand prize winner