VALLEY — The People’s Choice Award for the 9th Annual Emerging Artist Show, part of the  19th Annual Rio Costilla Studio Tour, was voted on by 96 attendees to the Rio Costilla Studio Tour and went to Brooklyn Sandoval, a student in 10th grade at the Sierra Grande School in Fort Garland for her pencil drawing entitled “Looking Within.” In addition to the grand prize, Brooklyn won first prize and third prize in her age category. 

A total of 102 entries were exhibited at the Historic Plaza de Arriba in Costilla, New Mexico, representing the works of more than 90 students K-12 from northern Taos County and southern Colorado schools. Art supplies were provided to the schools or the individual Emerging Artists.

The Emerging Artist Show is a project of the Rio Costilla Studio Tour, whose artists and visitors recognize the value of the arts in fostering creativity and imagination in young people. Thanks to the following artists and visitors contributed to funding this show this year:  Ceilidh Creech, Karen Ahlgren, Jonathan Pite and Nicole Trousdale of Amalia; the Farmer family of Antonito; Alex Lukens, Joan Hanley and Katherine Emsden of LaVeta; Peter Weiss, Judy Burrell, the Schraud and Kircher Families of Jaroso; Tom and Kathryn Tatum and Rick and Jerry from Taos; Matthew Gonzales of Santa Fe; Steve Waldrip from Eastdale; Kade Haviland and Amy Woods of Lakewood; to The Costilla Plaza Restaurant and the Santistevan Family for hosting this show during the Tour; to the artists of the tour and the volunteers from Red River! 

On the Saturday night of the tour a fundraiser was held at the Old Jaroso Hotel with entertainment donated by Emerging Artists Lukas and Darian Schraud of Jaroso. In all, this year, visitors and artists provided funding in the amount of $711.

Following are the 9th Annual Emerging Artist Show winners:

People’s Choice Award

Brooklyn Sandoval — $100 — Sierra Grande High School

Group 1, Grades K-3

1st Prize — Emma Laugen — $50 — Guadalupe Elementary

2nd Prize — Jovan Duran— $30 — Rio Costilla Learning Academy

3rd Prize — Zenya Ayala — $20 — Guadalupe Elementary

HM — Matthew Maes — $10 — Rio Costilla Learning Academy

HM — Jackson Jenkins — $10 — Rio Costilla Learning Academy

HM — Isaac Segura — $10 — Rio Costilla Learning Academy

Group 2, Grades 4-6

1st Prize — Jordan Garcia — $50 — Guadalupe Elementary

2nd Prize — Luz —  $30 — Guadalupe Elementary

3rd Prize — Luke Garcia — $20 — Guadalupe Elementary

HM — Delcina Espinoza — $10 — Guadalupe Elementary

HM — Jesus Madril — $10 — Guadalupe Elementary

Group 3, Grades 7-8

1st Prize —Anikah Roybal — $50 — Sierra Grande High School

2nd Prize — Faith Alizadeh — $30 —Antonito High School

3rd Prize — Aaliyah Garcia — $20 — Antonito High School

HM — Shiinei Tallman — $10 — Antonito High School

HM — Faith Alizadeh — $10 — Antonito High School

Group 4, Grades 9-12

1st Prize — Brooklyn Sandoval — $50 — Sierra Grande High School

2nd Prize — Claude Peay — $30 — Centauri High School

3rd Prize — Brooklyn Sandoval — $20 — Sierra Grande High School

3rd Prize — Marlena Roybal — $20 — Antonito High School

HM — Brandi Martinez — $10 — Antonito High School

HM — Amber Hunt — $10 — Crowley High School

HM — Claude Peay — $10 — Centauri High School

Sub Total Cash Awards Distributed — $630

Questions about this project may be addressed to Jane Kircher at 719-672-3063 or at [email protected]

Caption: “Looking Within” by Brooklyn Sandoval of Sierra Grande High School won the People’s Choice Award during the 9th Annual Emerging Artist Show. Courtesy photo