Last summer, senior McKennaHarclerode was selected to become a part of an elite group of high school junior and senior art students to participate in a grueling three-week art academy.

            “I submitted a painting in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where I won a gold medal,” Harclerode said. “I was also interviewed by a committee and was one of 24 selected out of several hundred applicants.”

            The program, The Western Art Academy, located in Kerrville, Texas, lasted from June 7 through June 27.

            “It was a three week course using mediums such as oil paints and petroleum based clay,” Harclerode said.

            Students were required to sculpt and paint; applying a western theme to all of their pieces with the help of two instructors throughout the three week period, and sometimes enjoyed a nice break from the classroom.

            “We took fieldtrips to traditional western art galleries and museums,” Harclerode said.

            At the end of the three weeks, students had the option to sell their work in an art show among other attendees at The Texas Museum of Western Art.

            “Buyers from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo were invited to the gallery,” Harclerode said. “Relatives were also invited to attend as well.”

            Harclerode had a sculpture, one of three out of 20, as well as a painting, sell at the arts how.

            “My sculpture Battle Cry was inspired by football and sold for $4,700,” Harclerode said. “My painting, which was of a cowboy and a horse, sold for $500.”

            Harclerode will receive a bronzed version of her sculpture, as well as a mold of it for further bronzing in about a year. The buyer of Battle Cry will also receive a bronzed version.