Spring Branch ISD student, teacher take part in Via Colori Street Painting Festival

A junior at Spring Woods High School and an art teacher at Landrum Middle School were featured artists at the recent Via Colori Street Painting Festival held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18 in downtown Houston.

According to a district release, Lorelei Shannon, of Spring Woods, was one of 10 area students whose artistry was chosen for the display. Her Thanksgiving-related work was presented as part of the festival's 2012 Apprendista Artist lineup and was shown alongside professional artists.

Shannon was named a featured artist last year, and her work, titled "All Creation Sings" was also displayed.

The Via Colori event benefits the Center for Hearing and Speech, a nonprofit agency supported by the United Way of Greater Houston.

Andres Bautista, Landrum Middle School art teacher and professional artist, was named the Linn Energy Featured Artist at the festival. He was named a fan favorite in the 2010 and 2011 festivals.

In naming Bautista its Featured Artist this year, Linn Energy officials wanted to recognize the involvement of so many of his students, according to the release. A reception hosted by Linn Energy was held in his honor Oct. 25.

"The mentoring he provides his students reflects his passion for these children, as well as his art," said Kristin Midgett of Linn Energy, in the release. "We are honored to have Andres as our featured artist and hope that he will partner with us for many years to come."

Via Colori is a street painting event where dozens of artists create large-scale masterpieces directly on the city streets of Houston.

For more information, visit www.viacolori.com.