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Grand champion portrait earns $275K at RodeoHouston art auction, reserve grand champion's art fetches $200K

The art auction is a big part of RodeoHouston, as scholarship money is raised for thousands of students.

HOUSTON — It was a big day at RodeoHouston for a couple of talented high school artists, as their portraits were auctioned off.

Eliza Hoffman’s of Clear Creek ISD had the grand champion work of art, “Warriors of the Great Spirit.” It went at auction Sunday for $275,000, in a bid from Julie and Alan Kent of J. Alan Kent Development, Kristine and Paul Somerville, Shelly, Jerome, Allie, Abbie and Cameron Maddox and Bob Van Matre.

The reserve grand champion was Sion Joo of Pearland ISD, with her portrait of “Contant Companion.” It fetched $200,000 at auction, with the winning bid by Cheryl and Gary Deitcher and Terry and Dr. Joe Agris.

RELATED: Clear Creek ISD student named grand champion in Rodeo School Art Program

If Hoffman’s name sounds familiar, it should.  Last year, her work of art, “Morning Dove” was named reserve grand champion.

“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.

Credit: RodeoHouston
Eliza Hoffman’s of Clear Creek ISD was the grand champion.
Credit: HLSR
Eliza Hoffman from Clear Creek ISD was named the 2024 Grand Champion in the School Art Program for her painting titled "Warriors of Great Spirit."

Hoffman said her artwork includes Native Americans because of the impact they’ve had on Western culture.

“They are the foundation of all of U.S. history,” she said.

Sion Joo, who was the reserve grand champion’s “Constant Companion” featured a farrier and dog. Joo got a bit of a surprise, as the Australian Shepherd featured in her artwork was at the auction.

Credit: RodeoHouston
Sion Joo was the reserve grand champion at Rodeo Houston with her work of art.
Credit: HLSR
Sion Joo, of Pearland ISD, won Reserve Grand Champion for "Consistent Companion," a painting of a man and his dog.

The money earned supports scholarships and right now, around 2,300 students are on scholarships and attending more than 80 Texas colleges and universities.

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