Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023
The 4th Annual MCPS K-12 Student AAPIHM Poster Art Contest
Award Ceremony, CESC Auditorium, Wednesday May 31, 2023, 6:30-8PM.
Click here to see past winners and artwork.
Click here to see past winners and artwork.
We are proud to draw around 100 applications from MCPS students. We are honoring awards to the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd place winners and honorable mentions in the lower elementary, upper elementary, middle, and high school categories:
Lower Elementary Schools (K-2)
1st Place: J. S., William B. Gibbs, Jr. ES
Title: America, this is my home
Description: In this picture I am holding my Moms hands, wearing Korean traditional clothes called Han-bok. My family, friends and school are big part of my life.
2nd Place: R. Z., Spark M. Matsunaga ES
Title: Star on Ice
Description: My artwork is about Nathan Chen, the "Star on Ice." The middle picture is of him receiving his medal and in the same action, causing a moment of pride. Behind him is the Olympics symbol of the five interlocking rings. Next to the middle picture are moments of him skating, which led up to him winning and causing pride for all Americans.
3rd Place: C. K., William B. Gibbs, Jr. ES
Title: Singing songs in Korean
Description: At the Lunar New Year celebration, I sang Korean songs with my friends wearing Hanbok(Hanbok is a type of Korean traditional clothing). Singing made us feel included in Korean culture.
Honorable Mention: B. X., Bells Mill ES
Title: Floating Chinese Chess
Description: My painting shows a game of Chinese chess, one of my favorite games. The chess pieces are floating in the bubbles, with lucky clouds behind. Can you guess who is going to win?
Upper Elementary Schools (3-5)
1st Place: A. Z., Spark M. Matsunaga ES
Title: Spark Matsunaga's Legacy
Description: In his life, Spark Matsunaga has been many important roles, a war hero, a lawyer, the Hawaii senator, and most importantly, a role model for many people such as me. The handshake on the top of the piece represents his life as a politician and lawyer, and his figurehead on the right depicts his life as a soldier and war hero. In the middle, is my school, Spark M. Matsunaga ES, a MCPS school, which was named after Spark Matsunaga and also represents his legacy. The contrast of monochrome and color represents the past and present, and also represents the cause and effect that was Spark Matsunaga's life.
2nd Place: S. S., Snowden Farm ES
Title: Kamala Harris - First Female Asian VP
Description: In my artwork, young Asian girls ( brown skin and black hair ) are inspired by the portrait of first female Asian Vice President Kamala Harris. One of them is happy , one of them is inspired to be like her and one of them gets a sense of belonging.
3rd Place: A. C., Potomac ES
Title: Chinatown, Past & Present
Description: This art work is about how the Asian American community has changed over hundreds of years. From the first Chinese immigrants, to the modern day Chinatown.
Honorable Mention: G. S., Luxmanor ES
Title: The mind of Christine Sun Kim be like
Description: Christine Sun Kim makes body language unique. I know she can not speak, but I believe her mind is like this. To express your mind with your body, isn't it so cool!!!
Honorable Mention: T. Z., Fox Chapel ES
Title: Yayoi's Great Pumpkin
Description: My artwork shows Yayoi's big pumpkins and her famous dots, she is sitting with her pumpkin in the background. She and her dotted pumpkins are known for great reasons all over the world, they stand and have a interesting look.
Middle Schools (6-8)
1st Place: S. H., Hallie Wells MS
Title: Chien-Shiung Wu; "The First Lady of Physics"
Description: This is a drawing of Chien-Shiung Wu, also known as the "First Lady of Physics." She helped discover a major breakthrough in nuclear physics. Wu notably identified a critical step in the production of atomic bombs, leading to a significant transformation in the way we manufacture these weapons today.
2nd Place: A. Z., Cabin John MS
Title: Pin品
Description: “休对故人思故国，且将新火试新茶。诗酒趁年华。”— — 《望江南·超然台作》苏轼
3rd Place: O. G., Redland MS
Title: Asian Cultural Heritage "Sri Dalada Perahera
Description: This is an ancient and traditional procession held in "Sri Lanka" which reveals the "Secret tooth relic of Guthama Lord Buddha" to get blessings to the country .It is consists of colourful traditional dancing , music and instruments.It is a world heritage which shows the cultural specialty in the Asian region.
Honorable Mention: L. M., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MS
Title: A Cellist's silhouette
Description: This is my drawing of Yo Yo Ma, a famous cellist. I made the foreground of Yo Yo Ma, concentrating on playing the cello. Behind him, is supposed to be measures of music notes, flowing throughout the background.
High Schools (9-12)
1st Place: A. K., Thomas S. Wootton HS
Title: A Fighter’s Will
Description: This is an illustration of Susan Ahn Cuddy (Korean American)- the first Asian-American in the Navy, the first female gunnery officer in the US armed forces, and the first Asian-American woman to be a code breaker and section chief in the National Security Agency. In early 1942, despite the worsened anti-asian sentiments from Pearl Harbor and WWII, Susan was one of a generation of Asian-Americans to rush to serve the country to fight against the Japanese. She was initially rejected from the Women’s Reserve of the US Naval Reserve as she was seen to be “not suitable”, but she persisted and eventually was accepted. She would later become a pilot instructor, then an aerial gunnery instructor, an official WAVES officer, and finally a lieutenant where she would help the Naval Intelligence decipher several codes thanks to her ability to speak Korean. Even in post-war times, as a civilian, she would work as an intelligence analyst and section chief during the Cold War.
2nd Place: K. Y., Winston Churchill HS
Title: I Am Not a Virus
Description: This print illustrates the pain, struggle, and frustration Asian Americans have had to endure during COVID-19. The fists pulling at the girl’s hair symbolizes the rise in xenophobia, racism, anti-asian sentiments, and social tension many Asian Americans across the country experienced and are still experiencing to this day.
3rd Place: C. Y., Montgomery Blair HS
Title: Kei Okami - The perseverant physician
Description: Since I'm Japanese, I wanted to celebrate the accomplishments of my people. Kei Okami was the first person that came to my mind when I thought of Japanese people who put in the effort to make their dreams a reality, and helped other people. Throughout her life, she was always nursing people, whether thats through her job at the hospital, her home clinic, or by establishing a school of nursing.
Judge Biographies:
Linda Sato Adams retired as the supervisor of Fine Arts in the Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, where she was responsible for the school district’s dance, music, theatre, and visual art programs. She is currently co-president of the Japanese American Citizens League, Washington DC Chapter and an administrative consultant for the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Recently, she worked for Towson University as an adjunct professor overseeing visual art student teachers.
GEOFFREY CHEUNG, Art Teacher, Montgomery County Public Schools
Geoffrey Cheung is currently in his tenth year as an elementary art teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in studio art with a focus on graphic design, and a Master of Education in art education. Geoffrey has worked as a graphic designer in a variety of settings, including at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art with the Imaginasia Family Program, the League of Educators for Asian American Progress, and the DC Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. He enjoys a variety of creative outlets including printmaking, pumpkin carving, and model building. He lives in Maryland with his wife and corgi.
Anjali Wells has a Bachelor's in Studio Art and Masters of Art Education from the University of Maryland and a Post Graduate Certificate in Equity and Excellence in Education from McDaniel College. Anjali is the PreK-12 Visual Art and Dance Content Specialist for Montgomery County Public Schools. Throughout her teaching career Anjali has worked with multiple community organizations to develop and implement arts education programs that focus on student wellbeing including founding a non-profit organization, Creative Outlets Arts Center in 2021 teaching the community to use art as a wellness tool. In 2019 she worked as a contributor to the Smithsonian Freer Sackler Museum writing curriculum resources for their Chinese art collection. Anjali was the Maryland Art Education Association 2021 Career Art Educator of the Year for MCPS. Anjali currently serves as the President of Creative Outlets Arts Center and Treasurer for the Maryland Art Education Association.
Other artworks by participant names in the elementary, middle and high school categories:
M. C., Bells Mill ES
Title: Spring Blossoms with Windmill
Description: My painting is about layers of different flowers blooming in spring, with a windmill in the back.
N. C., Bells Mill ES
Title: Mountain with Pine Trees
Description: My painting is a landscape with mountain and pine trees.
C. C., Fairland ES
Title: Pony’s holiday
Description: They love each other and they have fun together.
C. C., Fairland ES
Title: Moths all grown up
Description: My picture is all about moths playing.
S. C., William B. Gibbs, Jr. ES
Title: Aruna Miller: 1st Asian American Lt. Governor of MD
Description: In January 2023, Aruna Miller was sworn in as the first Asian American and first female Asian American Lt. Governor of Maryland. Born in India, Aruna Miller is also the first immigrant to be elected Lt. Governor of Maryland.
A. C., William Tyler Page ES
Title: Long life noodles
Description: It is tradition to eat noodles for special celebrations like Chinese New Year and birthdays, to symbolize a long and healthy life.
A. D., Fairland ES
Title: Dream bigger as the Rainbow is higher
Description: Rainbow is a sign of hope and new beginnings.. if we can dream bigger we will always have the spirit to do something better in our lives.. And with our new achievements we can move forward to make the world a better place ..Rocket is the part of our new invention ..Nowadays with the rocket we can find more mystery around our earth .. Ao this artwork shows a combination of dream and happiness of the success.. thank you
O. F., Potomac ES
Title: Drawing
Description: Chinese New Year 2023
A. F., Snowden Farm ES
Title: Dinnertime!
Description: The artwork, entitled, "Dinnertime!", by Aaliyah Frias, depicts a cultural event common to many Asian families, which is getting together to eat dinner and enjoy delicious food. Aaliyah has shown her Filipino family members happily sitting at the table and eating a wholesome meal comprised of rice, chicken, and noodles, which is one of her favorite past times. Aaliyah has shown herself (with pigtails) in the middle of the table, winking back at the observer, to reflect her happiness and appreciation for her culture, and willingness to share it with others.
E. F., Bells Mill ES
Title: Dagon and Its Eggs
Description: I painted a strong and powerful dragon, protecting it eggs. Like how my parents protect me and my brother, my dragon is protecting its eggs, in the fearless way.
K. F., Bells Mill ES
Title: The Biggest Fish in the World
Description: In the books, the biggest fish in the world is called Kun. It has wings and thousands of miles long. I painted the fish Kun, swimming freely among the sea and mountains.
E. G., Wayside ES
Title: BTS-Korean Pop Stars
Description: My mother was born in South Korea, and we often listen to Korean pop music at home or in the car. BTS, a world-famous boy band from South Korea, is one of our favorite groups. My little brother and I especially enjoy listening to their song 'Butter' among all Kpop songs.
G. H., Montgomery Virtual Academy
Title: Flags make us happy!
Description: All Asian cultures are unique. All flags are beautiful.
S. H., Maryvale ES
Title: Chinese Railroad Workers
Description: This picture is of Chinese workers building the railroad. They were sad, because people did not treat them nicely.
E. H., Bells Mill ES
Title: Yin-Yang Fusion
Description: My piece aims to blend the beauty of window art with the balance of yin and yang in a creative visual effect.
Z. K., Montgomery Virtual Academy
Title: mermaid
Description: mermaid using watercolors
P. L., William B. Gibbs, Jr. ES
Title: Cambodian New Year Monkey King Dance
Description: The Royal Ballet has persevered even through the toughest times in Cambodian history and has remained an iconic aspect of Cambodian culture. One of the most recognized and celebrated dances is that is the Monkey King, Hanuman.
J. L., Garrett Park ES
Title: The Turtle Ship
Description: The Turtle Ship, which played a major role in defeating the Japanese army while traveling through the sea during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, shows the greatness of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
S. L., Takoma Park ES
Title: Kelly Yang
Description: Kelly Yang is a Chinese American Author based in America, she has won numerous awards. This artwork shows how Kelly Yang fights for banning book, she says that banning books is a bad idea, everyone should have a choice in picking the book they like. Kelly Yang is an amazing inspiration to young people.
K. L., Bells Mill ES
Title: Paper Cutting Bunny
Description: This year is the year of Rabbit in Chinese zodiac. My artwork shows a buddy designed with Chinese paper cutting patterns. I designed my bunny with my favorite colors, flowers and leaves.
S. N., Ronald P. McNair ES
Title: Korean War
Description: One Korean and one American soldier side by side.
S. P., Farmland ES
Title: Father of India - M.K. Gandhi
Description: Satyen has used pencil colors to sketch M.K. Gandhi. He was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule.
M. P., Clearspring ES
Title: Peace Through Pandas
Description: Children love to visit the National Zoo to see the pandas. Pandas are peaceful and all children are lovely. It brings people together and puts a smile on everyone's face.
J. P., William B. Gibbs, Jr. ES
Title: Proud
Description: Oscar award is a like an American dream. The awards that the movie brought became a hope for all Asian American and Asian actors and actresses. They also made us proud of their contributions and proud to be called Asian Americans.
E. Q., Bells Mill ES
Title: Cat and Rabbit in Chinese Paper Cutting Style
Description: My painting shows my favorite animals, a cat and a rabbit. This year is the year of Rabbit in Chinese zodiac. I painted my animals in a Chinese paper cutting style. Also, I glued another layer of carrots and fishes to make an interesting pattern for the background.
B. S., Clarksburg ES
Title: Sunny days
Description: My art shows the girls playing tennis on a sunny day. Tennis is a best sport to be outside and can be enjoyed at any age.
A. S., Diamond ES
Title: Road Safety
Description: The right way to cross the road with a padestrian light
J. W., Bells Mill ES
Title: Girl Tiger in Red and Gold
Description: My painting shows a girl tiger in red and gold colors, looking back. My tiger is cute and elegant with flower and stripes. My tiger is the same style as the red envelope (hong bao) I get for Chinese New Year. It represents power, peace, beauty, happiness and good luck.
A. X., Bells Mill ES
Title: Chinese Dragon with Lucky Clouds
Description: My painting is about a dragon flying on the lucky clouds. Dragons are brave and powerful. Dragon is also an important mythical animal in Chinese culture, zodiac and to Chinese people. Red is the lucky color in Chinese culture. I chose the traditional lucky cloud pattern to complete the painting.
C. X., Bells Mill ES
Title: Girl Tiger in Red and Gold
Description: My artwork shows a girl dragon with fancy hair style, walking gracefully in the sea. I painted my dragon with all my favorite colors.
C. X., Bells Mill ES
Title: Dragon Girl
Description: My painting is about a girl dragon flying gracefully in the clouds. My dragon girl is kind, gentle, yet powerful and fearless. It is part of me too.
E. Y., Bells Mill ES
Title: Chinese Fairy
Description: This is a Chinese fairy in my imagination. She wears beautiful Chinese fairy cloths. She lives in clouds. She is standing on a rainbow cloud.
X. Y., Farmland ES
Title: Leshan Giant Buddha
Description: Leshan Buddha, also known as Lingyun Buddha, is located at Lingyun Temple on the East Bank of Nanminjiang River in Leshan City, Sichuan Province in China. The Giant Buddha is the sitting image of Maitreya Buddha. It is 71 meters high. This is the largest cliff stone statue in China.The Leshan Buddha was unearthed in the first year of Kaiyuan (713) in the Tang Dynasty and completed in the nineteenth year of Zhenyuan (803), which lasted about ninety years.
Z. Z., Farmland ES
Title: Year of the Rabbit
Description: Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations among Asian cultures. 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit. Rabbit ranks fourth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs. It symbolizes hope, prosperity and luck.
J. Z., Farmland ES
Title: City Shanghai and the Maglev
Description: I painted the night view of Shanghai and its famous transportation - the Maglev train.
G. Z., Snowden Farm ES
Title: Celebration of Chinese New Year - lion dance
Description: Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries. The lion dance is usually performed for celebrating the lunar Chinese New Year. Performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume to bring good love and fortune.
G. B., Strawberry Knoll ES
Title: Cherry Blossom
Description: I chose to draw the cherry blossoms I saw in DC. These trees were a gift of friendship from the people of Japan.
J. C., Spark M. Matsunaga ES
Title: Elaine Chao
Description: Elaine Lan Chao is an American former government official. She served as the 18th United States secretary of transportation, and as the 24th United States secretary of labor. Chao was the first Asian American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.
A. D., Seven Locks ES
Title: Songkran Memories
Description: Songkran marks the traditional new year in Thailand. It is also the new year in some parts of India. The elephant is spraying water because Songkran is the festival of water. I drew Lord Buddha because Songkran is not just about the water it is also about honoring Lord Buddha.
E. D., Bradley Hills ES
Title: Chinatown's Friendship Archway
Description: This artwork shows a small drawing of the Friendship Archway in Chinatown DC. It is colored accordingly to the actual building.
V. L., Diamond ES
Title: The beauty of Tang Dynasty
Description: My art creative comes from “1 Ladies with Head-pinned Flowers”。The aesthetic is very different from Modern Time. It regarded obesity as beauty。
O. L., Kensington Parkwood ES
Title: The first Asian Best Actress Oscar
Description: It portrays Michelle Yeoh holding the Oscar she won. I also tried to convey all her happiness into one portrait.
S. L., Garrett Park ES
Title: King Sejong The Great
Description: Hangul, the Korean alphabet was created by King Sejong the great in order to promote literacy among his Korean citizens. He also created the Rain gage to tell how much it rained and created to Sundial to tell time.
Y. L., Piney Branch ES
Title: Eileen Gu
Description: My work shows of Eileen Gu, she is a Asian American Freestyle Skier. My artwork shows Eileen Gu at the Winter Olympics 2022, winning two gold medals and one silver medal.
I. L., Seven Locks ES
Title: Any Lee Oscar winner
Description: Any Lee became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for best director in 2005.
A. M., Strawberry Knoll ES
Title: Tears of Black and White
Description: During WWII Japanese-Americans were kicked out of their houses and many of their homes were destroyed, robbed, or set on fire. This art shows the mean things people called Japanese-Americans, and a Japanese-American girl who is afraid, angry, and sad, because she is being taken from her home.
A. M., Potomac ES
Title: Railroad Struggle
Description: My work shows a Chinese railroad worker that had to go through the hardships of building the transcontinental railroad.
S. M., Chevy Chase ES
Title: The Tour
Description: I am getting a tour of a home and see artwork hanging on the wall, "Corgi and Mooncakes," that I think is really cool! I am told it is by the Asian-American artist Tiffany Chen.
M. M., Snowden Farm ES
Title: Meditating in the Himalayas
Description: In my Hindu culture, his holiness Neelkanth Varni, who ultimately is seen as God, traveled throughout India from an early age on a historic journey to better mankind. When He was 12 years old, he began an intense meditation in the Himalayas for two and a half months to help liberate his devotees. The lotus flower symbolizes purity and sacrifice. Here you can see Neelkanth is wearing only a loin cloth in the cold because he did not care what he wore.
A. S., Snowden Farm ES
Title: "Naatu Naatu" Winning Oscars
Description: The song "Naatu Naatu" from the hit Telugu-language film RRR has made history by becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar. The blockbuster track won Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards, beating heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Rihanna. The actors Ram Charan and NTR have won huge international recognition because of this song.
S. S., Fallsmead ES
Title: Transcontinental railroad
Description: The transcontinental railroad is where they use Asians as almost free labor, many Chinese passed and some made it to the end. After all this work and discrimination, they ended up not being invited to the celebration at the end.
N. S., Farmland ES
Title: Resettlement of Bhutanese Refugees in USA
Description: People from Bhutan were living in Nepal after the political distress in Bhutan. They got opportunity to start a new and better life in the United States after the US allow them to resettle in.
J. S., Cedar Grove ES
Title: Nathen Chen
Description: I use pencil sketch and watercolor to show Chen’s success In Olympics
V. S., Snowden Farm ES
Title: Asian Traditional Farming
Description: The artwork that I drew is showing two ladies cultivating paddy in the farm field during early hours. You can see on the background a cow taking rest by a tree after ploughing the field.
G. X., Diamond ES
Title: Cherry Blossom in DC
Description: This picture is an acrylic painting of a girl walking in front of a pond in DC, under the Cherry trees in front of the Washington monument.
T. Z., Fox Chapel ES
Title: Yao Ming's great performance
Description: My artwork shows Yao Ming shooting a basketball with a defender in front of him in a NBA match. In the back, there are audience cheering for him and a big sign hanging down from the ceiling, the, message reads "A good leader must be fair" This is a quote from Yao Ming. In front of the audiences, there are sponsors, such as NBA, Nike, Adidas, and Gatorade.
S. D., Hallie Wells MS
Title: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Description: My artwork represents the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was designed by the architect I.M. Pei, who belongs to the AAPI group.
L. F., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MS
Title: Filipino Fireworks for AAPI Month
Description: Landscape of the Philippine Islands. Two people watching the night sky. Fireworks with the flag's colors are being shot into the air.
S. G., Thomas W. Pyle MS
Title: Beauty in Diversity
Description: I filled in a fist with different flowers like lotuses, jasmines, marigolds, hibiscuses, cherry blossoms, and more from AAPI countries. The fist represents standing up for what we believe in since the past couple years anti-Asian hate has been on the rise. The flowers show the beauty in diversity and how AAPIs are not just one group of people, but many. I drew this piece digitally using procreate and assembled them in procreate as well.
L. G., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MS
Title: Happy APHA Month
Description: In my artwork I made simplified versions of various structures from various cultures, pulling from East, West, and Southern Asia and from Indonesia (a Pacific Islander country). I also wanted to represent unity between the people of Asia, hence the road with people on it, which I tried to make look interesting while keeping a simplistic style. The dragon, probably the most obvious part of the piece is a (very) simplified version of a traditional Chinese dragon in my own style, and is more to represent my own culture rather than being accurate.
S. J., Hallie Wells MS
Title: Boat
Description: It’s a boat.
Y. K., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MS
Title: The Connection of Korea and America
Description: This is a drawing of a K-pop concert. As worldwide interest in Korean culture gradually increases, people grew to enjoy Korean pop music in America. This drawing was made to portray the connection of Korea and America through music.
C. L., Takoma Park MS
Title: There Is No Parity (Chien-Shiung Wu)
Description: Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997) was a pioneer in nuclear and particle physics. Born in Liuhe (a small town near Shanghai), she had a very supportive father and worked hard at academics. After immigrating to the U.S., she worked on the Manhattan Project and created an experiment to prove that parity is not conserved. While her two male colleagues received a Nobel Prize for proving the law of conservation of parity, she was excluded from it like many other women scientists of the time. Wu proved the non-existence of parity in more ways than one, so please share her story. Chien-Shiung Wu later won the inaugural Wolf Prize of Physics in 1978 and was the first woman to be a tenured physics professor at Columbia University— a truly remarkable person.
J. L., Takoma Park MS
Title: #happytobeasian
Description: In the picture, I drew Agust D promoting the Asian Lives Matter by taking a selfie with the words "Asian Lives Matter" tattooed on his neck and posting it on his Instagram (as of today, he has around 45,000,000 followers). As shown in the drawing, the post received millions of likes and hashtags from fans (around the world).
A. S., Robert Frost MS
Title: Where there is a will, there is a railroad
Description: My artwork has a Asian immigrant working and holding buckets, gazing at the night sky. While the worker is gazing they are also building a railroad.
T. Y., Tilden MS
Title: First Asian Lead Actress Oscar Winner
Description: In this artwork, I drew (digitally) Michelle Yeoh holding an Oscar Trophy. In detail, the “Best Actress Trophy” at the 95th Academy Award.
M. Z., Kingsview MS
Title: Michelle's Oscar
Description: In most recent times, Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian Actress to win the Oscar. She starred in the movie "Everything Everywhere All At Once" and played a beautiful role in the movie. She dedicated the Oscar Award to her family, specifically her mother. They were always encouraging toward her, and she would not be the Michelle Yeoh she is today without them.
E. L., Montgomery Blair HS
Title: A Transcontinental Celebration
Description: A collage of AAPI contributions and achievements most focused on the construction of the transcontinental railroad completed on May 10, 1869, one of the reasons why AAPIHM is celebrated in May. Also celebrating AAPI culture in advocacy, politics, various sports, music, cinematography, and science, particularly technology, astronomy, and agriculture.
V. L., Thomas S. Wootton HS
Title: Crisis of Culture
Description: My artwork shows a girl whose face is cracked and ripped. The left section shows that of an Asian girl whereas the right is that of an American. The drawing is that of another drawing.
X. L., Winston Churchill HS
Title: At the dining table
Description: This illustration is a symbolization of the meals that an Asian Household eats. The meals are made with unique ingredients that are different from the meals from an American Household.
O. W., Quince Orchard HS
Title: Through the Screen
Description: This is a digital piece displaying some of the most cherished Asian American-Pacific Islanders seen on screen today: Dwayne Johnson, Kunal Nayyar, & Nora Lum (also known as Awkwafina). These 3 actors are just a few of the hundreds of talented Asian Americans in the performing arts that stand at the forefront of the movement diversifying the American cinema and television industry.
N. X., Winston Churchill HS
Title: Bridge of Culture
Description: It's mainly about culture export of Chinese Americans to Americans. The main element of the drawing is the Spring Festival, a particulary important festival in China, and the Chinese American in the picture is having cultural exchanges (lanterns and Chinese poetry) with her American friend.
The month of May is designated by law as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the history of AAPIs since their arrival in the United States in the mid-1800s, their challenges, and their contributions to American society.
All K-12 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students are invited to submit artwork for a poster that reflects significant moments and/or events in AAPI history and/or culture. The entries will be judged by community art and art performance professionals.
First place ($100), second place ($75), third place ($50), and honorable mention winners were selected for each of the lower elementary school (K-2), higher elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12) categories.
Rules
Who can submit: Applicants currently enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for the 2022-2023 school year. Only one entry per student is allowed. The application needs to be submitted by the parent/guardian on behalf of the student.
What to submit: Original artwork that reflects significant moments and/or events in Asian American and Pacific Islander history and/or culture. Artwork must be drawings, paintings, or digital art and needs to be submitted electronically.
Submission: Online Application by April 21, 2023 Friday April 28, 2023
FAQ
Q: What forms can be used to create the art?
A: Students may use drawings, paintings, digitally created arts, etc. or a combination. No clip arts or computer generated images. The art does need to be two-dimensional. Artwork should be in a .png file less than 10 MB. Save your artwork using the following file name and type: {student’s last name}_{first name}_{school name}.png; example: LastName_FirstName_FullSchoolName.png
Q: Does the art have to be in portrait or landscape format?
A: The art can be in either portrait or landscape format.
Q: Where does the applicant send the submission?
A: Submission should be done on https://bit.ly/APASAAG_PosterArt2023.
Q: May the student write a poem, essay or narrative?
A: Students will be judged primarily on the visual art that captures the AAPI moment or event; they may use written words to enhance the visual art.
Q: Can the student sign the artwork?
A: No. To ensure that the judges will not see the students’ names, please only identify the student on the accompanying application, consent and release forms. After the contest, the winners and applicants will be identified alongside their work.
Q: Who are the judges?
A: The judges are artists, art educators, and performing art professionals from the local community.
Content Theme
significant moments and/or events in AAPI history and/or culture in America
Questions?
Submit Artwork
https://bit.ly/APASAAG_PosterArt2023
Submission by Friday April 28, 2023
Co-Sponsors:
Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group (APASAAG)*
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Department of Partnerships
Calvin J. Li Memorial Foundation
Chinese Cultural and Community Service Center (CCACC)
Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA-DC)
Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA)
Montgomery County Progressive Asian American Network (MoCoPAAN)
*APASAAG works with MCPS and community stakeholders to support APA students and promote equitable educational opportunities for them to reach their fullest potential. It is an advisory council that liaisons with the MCPS Department of Partnerships.