Student artwork from Lee F. Jackson and Highview Elementary Schools has been selected for the 2026 New York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Art & Essay Exhibition, a statewide initiative that invites students to express their understanding of Dr. King’s teachings through art and reflection.
The annual exhibition, organized by the New York State Education Department in partnership with the Office of General Services, is not a contest. Instead, it provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate learning about Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence, civil rights, and respect for others, while connecting those ideas to their own lives. While the exhibition once featured physical artwork displayed in Albany, it is now presented as a digital showcase that allows student work to be viewed statewide.
At Lee F. Jackson, students created a collaborative Kindness Quilt, while students at Highview Elementary explored similar themes through Foil Relief artwork. Across both schools, students focused on ideas central to Dr. King’s legacy, including peace, love, kindness, communication, and nonviolence.
Art teacher Dawn Weiss, who has participated in the exhibition each year it ran since 2017, emphasized the value of giving students meaningful opportunities to reflect on Dr. King’s message. “This exhibition gives students a chance to show what they’ve learned about Dr. King and how his teachings apply to their own lives,” said Ms. Weiss. “Through projects like the Kindness Quilt and Foil Reliefs, students are able to express ideas of peace and kindness in ways that feel personal and powerful.”
For students, the experience deepened both their understanding and their sense of purpose. First grader Sruli shared, “We made pictures that represent peace and kindness. It made me happy because I was carrying on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s wish to spread it.” A fellow classmate added, “I felt good making the Kindness Quilt because I now know who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and what he taught.”
Participation in initiatives like the MLK Student Art & Essay Exhibition reflects the District’s commitment to educating the whole child. As International Baccalaureate schools, Lee F. Jackson and Highview emphasize inquiry, reflection, and principled action—encouraging students to think critically about the world around them and their role in creating a more just and compassionate society. Through this work, students are not only learning about history, but also practicing the values that Dr. King championed. See the artwork here: https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/2026-nys-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-student-art-essay-exhibition