EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid Michigan (MLK Commission), in partnership with Delta Dental of Michigan and the MSU Broad Art Lab, has officially announced the winners of the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest.
This is the fourth year that the MLK Commission has hosted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest, providing an opportunity for local artists to showcase their talents, while also honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With this year’s contest, artists were tasked with creating a piece of art to accompany the theme, “In the long run, justice finally must spring from a new moral climate,” along with a 250-word narrative explaining their piece’s relation to social injustice and inequity. Of the 14 entries submitted by local student and adult artists, one winner was selected in each of the following categories: middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12) and adult (open). The winner in the middle school category was Sophia Gray of Haslett, who attends St. Martha School in Okemos. The winner in the high school category was Kaitlyn Silengo of Lansing, who attends Holt High School. And the winner in the adult category was Karla Forrest-Hewitt, who resides in East Lansing. Images of the winners’ artwork and narratives can be found here: https://mlkmidmichigan.com/mlk-art-contest.
“We wish to congratulate this year’s winners and thank everyone who participated in this year’s contest. The creativity in our local community never ceases to amaze us,” said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid Michigan Chairperson Elaine Hardy.
Community members are invited to attend a public reception for the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest Exhibition, which will take place on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road.
For the month to follow the public reception, the artwork will be on display for public viewing on the second floor of the ELHCC, adjacent to the offices of the East Lansing Department of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Community members are welcome to stop by to view the artwork during ELHCC’s regular hours.
The public reception and exhibition are being hosted by the MLK Commission in partnership with the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts.