RRPS celebrates young artists with art show; Mayor Hull makes an appearance

RRPS Elementary School Art Show

Mar 26, 2025

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho Public Schools held its annual art show March 25 at the RRPS district offices to celebrate the many talented elementary school students.

“We try to show them that there are actually pathways in the arts ... and they did a phenomenal job,” said RRPS art teacher Elizabeth Lockhart, who has worked at Vista Grande Elementary School for more than 10 years.

The event included refreshments, snacks, families, tons of displayed art, and an appearance by Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull.

“I am really excited to come out and see the incredible talent of these kids; the imagination, attention to detail that they put into their artwork just shows that these kids have a really bright future,” Hull said. “I want to come out and show them that when they have a show like this, they are not only supported by their parents but they are supported by the community and the leadership of the community.”

Artwork seen included a colorful tea cup, vivid snakes facing each other, black and white hatching, stippling pieces, portraits of animals, nature pieces, and a striking work of art called “Grandpa’s Garden.”

“I first started with crayon, afterwards we painted ... but if you want to make it really stable you have to draw really hard but not so hard that the crayon breaks,” second grader Avalon Easton said, who used a watercolor resist technique to create “Grandpa’s Garden.”

Easton’s slice-of-life picture showed her and her grandpa working in a cornfield. It was also important for her to include her grandpa’s pets, Belle and Jack.

“We try to teach our kids that art can pretty much be anything and encourage them to express themselves,” Lockhart said.

RRPS hosts art showcases like these for middle schoolers and high schoolers as well. To find out if there is an upcoming art show or event, reach out to your school’s leadership or reach out to RRPS District Offices at 505-896-0667.