1212 The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Art Contest, now in it’s 15th year, is establishing a strong record for enhancing opportunities for aspiring artists. Previous winners Gretchen Leffler and Max Stockdale are having their dreams come to life because of hard work aided and supported by the legendary contest that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. The 2025 edition hopes to do the same as it accepts entries with a deadline of September 28. Winners will be notified by October 7 and an invitation only awards ceremony will be held October 26. Leffler, a three-time winner in the 3D category, says that without the FWSSR Art Contest, her interest in three-dimensional art might have faded to nothing. “I believe winning the 3D division at the FWSSR gave me the courage I needed to pursue art,” said the artist, who is currently working in Oregon on the stop motion film, Wildwood, with Laika Studios. “Having the opportunity to work in 3D and enter in such a well-presented contest really gave me the assurance I needed in my abilities as an artist. I still remember back in 2013, sitting in the room with all the other finalists. I would look back at my parents each time my name wasn’t called, believing I had no chance of winning, but in the end was the last name called and received a beautiful blue ribbon that is hanging proudly on my wall.” After winning $6,000 from 2013-2015, Leffler attended the highly-regarding Ringling College in Sarasota, Florida, followed by an internship with toymaker Hasbro and then worked as a 3D character sculptor at Disney World. Check out her work here. “I worked on ornaments, home décor and one Art of Disney piece that has my name on it, which is pretty neat,” she said. “I want to thank the FWSSR for adding the 3D division and for holding this contest for the aspiring artists, it truly helped me get to where I am today.” Stockdale, who attended Flower Mound High School, graduated this past spring from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Design and a minor in environmental and sustainability studies. His 2020 reserve championship for his piece titled, “An Old Friend,” earned him a $7,500 scholarship. “Taking AP studio art at Flower Mound, my teachers encouraged me to apply to art competitions and that’s how I learned about FWSSR,” he shared. “I submitted a watercolor thinking I wouldn’t even place but ended up receiving Reserve Grand Champion and a scholarship. I couldn’t believe it and I’m so grateful that I had a chance to be a part of this show.” Stockdale continues to work with CMU, where he most recently designed and fabricated a tapestry artwork for installation in the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. Look at his portfolio here. “FWSSR helped me believe in myself more and the impact I could make. I’ve always had a passion for art and design but being recognized at this show helped me choose art and design as a career path,” Stockdale said. Many Fort Worth and other area school art teachers block out time for FWSSR art contest projects and one student, Ivory Vanover, has been entering since she was 7 years old representing the Keller school district. She has placed almost every year and will enter for 2025 in the 12-14 age group. FWSSR ART CONTEST PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS Deadline for Entry Sept 28; Winners to be featured during November Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale Gretchen Leffler won the last of three consecutive 3D sculptor wins with this Polish hen entry in 2015. FWSSR Photo A career highlight for Gretchen has been seeing her work appear in Disney World stores in Florida and Hong Kong. Photo Courtesy Gretchen Leffler
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