Charity Novak’s striking photo of the Loretto Chapel’s Miraculous Staircase in Santa Fe was worth more than a thousand words. It also earned first place in the non-art teacher category at the 2026 SISD Employee Art Show.
Novak, an at-risk instructional aide at Sierra Vista STEAM Academy, has been with the Socorro Independent School District for five years. She took the opportunity to participate in the art show and showcase some of her passions.
“I figured, ‘Hey, these are important to me, and I love them,’ and I just wanted other people to see them and feel something with them, too,” said Novak, who entered the contest for the first time.
More than 100 pieces of artwork were displayed at the SISD Employee Art Show, highlighting the creativity of teachers, principals, transportation staff and other employees. The contest recognized first-, second-, and third-place winners in the art teacher and non-art teacher categories during a reception on Sept. 3 at the District Service Center.
Candace Printz, assistant director of SISD Fine Arts, said the show has grown in popularity over the years, with more employees gaining the confidence to showcase their talents, especially in the non-art teacher category.
“You don't realize that people do have all these different passions outside of whatever their profession is. And so that kind of comes to life here. So, it's really beautiful to see them be able to show it off,” Printz said.
The collection featured sculpture, acrylic paintings, mixed-media works and photography that reflected participants’ personal stories and perspectives.
Julian Vidales, an art teacher at Pebble Hills High School, won first place for the second consecutive year for his artwork that focuses on his family's battle with cancer. His 10-foot-tall painting, titled “In Your Corner Always,” depicted his mother mourning the loss of her husband to the disease in 2025. Vidales said that his aim was to celebrate caregivers and highlight their strength and resilience, a message that resonated with many in the audience.
“I'm glad that I'm able to connect with people through (my) work and let them know that they're not alone through any of those struggles,” Vidales said.
Art teacher Bianca Sanchez entered her artwork in the contest to inspire her students at Pebble Hills High School to showcase their own art.
Her painting, titled “Mamaita,” depicted her beloved grandmother with her hands folded in prayer. It earned third place in the art teacher category.
She said some of her students were surprised by her artwork.
“I showed them the pieces that I entered for this one, and some of them were shocked, some of them were really excited, some of them were happy. They're like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ So, it's just nice to see them kind of correlate everything I've been teaching them and, you know, to see that I can back it up,” Sanchez said.
SISD 2026 Employee Art Show Winners
Art Teacher category
1st Place
Julian Vidales, Pebble Hills High School, “In Your Corner Always”
2nd Place
Robert Garcia, Americas High School, “Sirach”
3rd Place
Bianca Sanchez, Pebble Hills High School, “Mamaita”
Non-Art Teacher category
1st Place
Charity Novak, Sierra Vista STEAM Academy, “Stairway to Heaven”
2nd Place
Luz Olave, Myrtle Cooper Elementary School, Desert Dreams
3rd Place
Greta Brasgalla, Pebble Hills High School, “Gareth the Unicorn”