Local artist Providence Ezell’s painting wins Grand Champion in Fort Worth Stock Show art contest
Providence Ezell of Breckenridge, daughter of Heather and Chad Ezell, won Grand Champion in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Art Contest on Saturday, Oct. 26. She received a belt buckle and a $10,000 scholarship, and her painting will be on exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame throughout the 2025 FWSSR, Jan 17-Feb. 8.
Ezell, a 17-year-old homeschool senior, started working on the acrylic painting titled “Escaramuza” in July and finished it on Sept. 6, according to her Facebook page. The painting is based on a photograph by Emily McCartney Eiguren, originally from Throckmorton.
According to the FWSSR Facebook page, the judges commented: “Good rendering with strong values, especially in dark tones. It beautifully represents Texas heritage with its stark composition and texture of ruffles, along with complimentary colors.”
Ezell, along with the artists who won Reserve Champion, First Place in the 3-D Division, and High School Classroom Champion will be invited to a Cowboy Artists of America workshop during the 2025 FWSSR. The one-day workshop will offer the students an opportunity to work with experienced Western artists. Cowboy models and animals will be used to study figures, layout, and anatomy.
The FWSSR Art Contest was open to Texas students enrolled in a Texas public, private, charter or home school in grades kindergarten through 12. The theme/subject of the entries had to depict or expresses the culture of Texas and western environments, both contemporary and historical. There were six age range categories, as well as a classroom division. Additionally, each piece of artwork was entered into one of several media categories, including colored drawing, mixed media, monochromatic drawing, painting and three-dimensional/sculpture.
Ezell’s painting will be sold on Saturday, Nov 2, at the Cowboy Artists of America sale, and all of the proceeds will go to Ezell for her education. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2025 and pursue a degree in professional piloting with a focus on becoming a commercial airline pilot. In her free time, she will continue to paint and further her herd of bred-and-owned Brahman cattle, which she raises and shows. Ezell is on the board of the Texas Junior Brahman Association.
To see Ezell’s award-winning painting, visit the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame throughout the 2025 FWSSR, Jan 17-Feb. 8. The museum is located at 1720 Gendy St. in the Cultural District of Fort Worth.
Cutline, top photo: Providence Ezell and her dad, Chad Ezell, display the awards she won for her painting at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on Saturday, Oct. 26. (Courtesy photo)