Artworks created by eight North High School students are currently on display in the New York State Capitol as part of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student Art and Essay Exhibition, hosted by the State Education Department (NYSED) and the Office of General Services.

Each year, NYSED invites schools to honor Dr. King’s memory by submitting original student artworks and essays that reflect Dr. King’s teaching. Each of the artworks from North High illustrate one of Dr. King’s Six Principles of Nonviolence and celebrates Dr. King’s birthday.

North High’s participating artists are: Odelya Ajoudanpour, William Benjamin, Yijia Chen, Josephine Choi, Albert Lai, Ava Muntner, Lian Nachman, and Sofia Roubeni. Their works were created in Studio Art I class and the North High Art Club, led by art teachers Leonard Antinori and Emily Man, respectively.

“New York students of all ages have used their unique artistic talents to create a moving tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of an America of equality, community, and peace,” said State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. “I am grateful for their enthusiasm and participation and encourage everyone to visit this exhibit, either in-person or online.”

This year’s exhibition, which opened on Jan. 11, includes 2,614 pieces of student artwork submitted from more than 100 schools statewide. It is on display on the Empire State Plaza North Concourse and may be viewed online at https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nys-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-student-art-essay-exhibition.