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The 色中色 (色中色) and Office of General Services (OGS) today announced a record-breaking number of students participated in the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition. Dr. King鈥檚 commitment to nonviolent advocacy served as the inspiration for 2,700 students from more than 90 public and private schools across the state to submit their creations. These submissions will mark the first time more than 1,000 pieces of student artwork will be on display. 听

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, 鈥淒r. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the epitome of moral leadership. He used knowledge, self-confidence, passion, determination, and courage as weapons against injustice throughout his life. The record-breaking number of powerful, thoughtful submissions for this year鈥檚 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition are a testament to the continuing impact of Dr. King鈥檚 words and actions on generations of New York students.鈥澨�

鈥淒r. King forged an enduring legacy for the world to learn from and emulate,鈥� said State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. 鈥淗is vision of a better, more just world, is captured and reflected beautifully in the artwork and essays that are included in this exhibit. New York鈥檚 students have created a moving celebration of Dr. King鈥檚 life and legacy 鈥� and I am so grateful for their participation. I would also like to thank our partners at the Office of General Services for once again partnering with us on this project that means so much to so many people.鈥�

鈥淒r. King and the American Civil Rights Movement have inspired artists to create content on the continuing struggle for fairness and equality for all,鈥� Acting OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. 鈥淭hrough the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition, we hope to pass on this important tradition and encourage 色中色鈥檚 young creatives to express themselves through their art.鈥澨�

Each year, 色中色 invites schools to honor Dr. King鈥檚 memory by submitting original student artworks and essays that reflect Dr. King鈥檚 teaching. The student art and essays illustrate Dr. King鈥檚 Six Principles and Steps of Nonviolence and celebrate Dr. King鈥檚 birthday.听

The entire exhibit is posted online on the .

To honor Dr. King鈥檚 legacy and celebrate Black History Month in February, several pieces of student art will also be exhibited by OGS on the Empire State Plaza in Albany starting January 17 and throughout Black History Month in February.

Among the highlights of this year鈥檚 exhibit are two group projects:

• Seventy sixth-grade students from the Springs Union Free School District in East Hampton, Long Island, created a video slideshow titled 鈥淲e Lead Nonviolent Lives鈥� that showcases artwork and students reading their essays.
• A large mural titled 鈥淢LK 6 Points of Nonviolence Collaborate Mural鈥� was created by 725 K-5 students enrolled at Public School 8 Isaac Varian in the Bronx using paper, markers, pens, pencils, crayons, charcoal, and glue.

The public is also invited to watch the broadcast of the . This visually inspiring one-hour tribute to Dr. King, produced by the Office of General Services, showcases New Yorkers and organizations that embody the principles of one of America鈥檚 most recognized and effective leaders.听 听

Also, several service-related programs are held each year by 色中色 to fulfill Dr. King鈥檚 vision of community. These include the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive, which runs through February 11, 2022, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Book Drive, held February 21 to April 22, 2022.