Students Paint the Streets at Via Colori Festival

Artwork by Grace Winburne

Two high school art students in Spring Branch ISD recreated their artwork on the streets of downtown Houston in front of thousands during last weekend’s two-day Via Colori Street Painting Festival.

Memorial High junior Grace Winburne and Spring Woods High senior Kira Slentz created  their artwork at the festival. Both were selected to represent SBISD and its student artists earlier this year. The festival had 250 adult and student artists.

The annual Via Colori Street Painting Festival was held Saturday, Nov. 21, in Hermann Square and City Hall downtown and then from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. Houston City Hall is located at 901 Bagby.

Artwork by Kira Slentz

The art festival’s theme this year was Celebrate! Now in its 10th year, the free street painting festival attracts tens of thousands to downtown streets to view artists use colored chalk to recreate chosen personal works.

The festival is supported by LINN Energy. In recent years, it has raised more than $400,000 annually to help local children with hearing loss. Donations fund critical health and educational services through the Center for Hearing and Speech.

“It never ceases to amaze me how stunning it is to watch each mural take shape, all made possible by the uncompromising support we receive from Houston,” said the center’s executive director, Renee S. Davis, in a press release. “Our artists, sponsors and, most importantly, our attendees make this festival a smash hit.”

For details on Houston Via Colori, visit www.HoustonViaColori.com.