2005 Culture Shapers Visual Arts Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 17th, 2005
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| Marla Hernandez is presented the Danny Wood Heart in Art Award at the 2005 Awards Banquet by Lyn Fitzpatrick, Founder of TransformingWomen.com. |
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| Karen Sloan is presented the Grand Prize in Film by Paul Sarvadi, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Administaff. |
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| Debbie Kidwell, 2005 Administrator of the Year, shown here with Tina Farrell, Assistant Superintendent, Clear Creek ISD. |
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| Michael Radler, Media Technology Teacher at the Guthrie Center in Spring Branch ISD, is presented the Teacher of the Year Award by Kay Hesketh, Contest Administrator for Culture Shapers. |
The 6th Annual Culture Shapers Visual Arts Awards Banquet was held on Thursday, November 17th, at the exclusive Hilton Americas in downtown, Houston. The top ten finalists in each category were invited to the banquet, along with their teachers, family and friends. The winning art entries were on display before the banquet and students were available to take photos and ask questions about their artwork.
Many have referred to this event as the “Academy Awards for Visual Arts in Houston” and this year was no exception. The anxious finalists were invited to the stage, and the winners in each category were presented certificates and cash prizes. The awards were presented by representatives from each of the Corporate Sponsors, including Trendmaker Homes, GodsMoneyMan.org, The Nathaniel Foundation and Administaff.
In addition to the prizes in each of the contest’s seven categories, awards were also given to the Administrator of the Year (Debbie Kidwell - Clear Creek ISD) and Teacher of the Year (Michael Radler - Guthrie Center), in addition to the emotionally-charged “Heart in Art” award, presented to Marla Hernandez, an outstanding student whose story of perseverance inspired everyone in attendance.
View the banquet photos…
Click here to view the photos from the 2005 Visual Arts Awards Banquet!
Highlights…

- Public viewing of the winning artwork.
- Exciting dinner entertainment by latin dancers Waldo and Mimi Molina.
- Modern Flamenco, performed by Maria Eugenia Llanca.
- Special vocal performance by Alison Luff, 2005 Young Voices of Houston winner.
- Introducing the Houston Family Arts Center!
- Winner’s testimonial from Larry Lairson, eight-time Culture Shapers finalist, four years running!
Special Awards included…
- Teacher of the Year - Michael Radler, Media Technology Teacher, The Guthrie Center, Spring Branch ISD
- Administrator of the Year - Debbie Kidwell, Director of Fine Arts, Clear Creek ISD
- The Danny Wood Heart in Art Award - Marla Hernandez, Alief Hastings High School






