Freedom Elementary had several scholars who were recently recognized through the McNay Museum’s Spotlight Program for the 2025–2026 cycle. Students were honored at the Spotlight Celebration Ceremony for their creative responses to this year’s featured artwork, Charm and Weight (2008) by artist Katie Pell.
The Spotlight Program is an annual initiative hosted by the McNay Museum that invites students to create artistic interpretations inspired by a selected work from the museum’s collection. This year’s featured piece, Charm and Weight, is a large-scale wooden sculpture that explores themes of identity, memory, and the interconnectedness of personal and cultural narratives.
As part of this special project, every Freedom Elementary student created a friendship bracelet that was woven together into a collaborative display symbolizing unity, connection, and shared experiences. Through the activity, students reflected on personal memories while celebrating the cultural connections that bring our school community together.
In addition to being recognized during the celebration ceremony, student artwork will be featured in the Spotlight Exhibition at the McNay Museum beginning May 17, 2026. This incredible opportunity allows our scholars to have their work displayed in a professional museum setting and shared with the broader community.
We are extremely proud of all of our students for their creativity, collaboration, and participation in this inspiring program.
