Silent Heroes, Bold Strokes: Art That Speaks Through Time

By Evan Yao

June 20, 2025

Middle and high school students across the world are bringing “Unsung Heroes” to light through the ArtEffect competition, using different types of art to compete for prizes.

Hosted online by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, The ArtEffect contest encourages students from middle and high school levels across the country to create original artworks, such as paintings, digital art, and even sculpting, to tell the stories of historical figures. Behind every entry is a long process of research, creativity and reflection. The goal of these artworks is to honor those lesser known heroes who made a lasting impact on the world. 

Once a historical figure is chosen, the students begin to compose their work, with the overall art expressing their message. In addition to making the art, students have to write an impact statement, or why they chose this person and why they are important in history. Students work long and hard to create their entries, and wait in nervous anticipation as the finalist announcement date approaches. 

One student who made an “impact” in this year’s ArtEffect competition was Grace Zhang, who created a painting of the civil rights activist Irene Morgan. “Her very courageous actions in supporting the civil rights movement inspired me,” Grace said. She spent around 40 hours on her piece, which also had some creative blocks, such as figuring out what to do with the empty background. In the end, she placed second among the finalists. 

Grace didn’t originally enter for the money. “I was bored,” she admitted. She also says that the most important part was “being able to appreciate someone who hasn’t been appreciated enough.” Her painting is a tribute to Irene Morgan’s actions and impact. 

Mr. Lawlor, a social studies teacher and official ArtEffect ambassador, also provided some of his own insight. “The goal of the ArtEffect competition is to champion the stories of Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes— role models who made a positive and profound, yet previously unrecognized, impact on the course of history,” he explained. He believes what makes a submission stand out is “not just artistic talent, but the use of symbolism,” to truly capture the hero’s story.

Mr. Lawlor encourages many students to enter the competition. “There is a lot of wonderful learning that takes place along the journey,” he said, which is exactly what resulted in Grace winning 2nd place. Next year, she says, “I want to try the high school division.”

ArtEffect left a lasting impression on both the participants and the ambassadors. Through their long process, they brought light to forgotten heroes through research, creativity, and reflection. Whether they won or not, the participants walked away knowing that they used art to make history matter.