Art Contest

"No Matter Race Everyone is Equal" by Shelby Henderson

After receiving a record number of 60 submissions, the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announced that high school student Shelby Henderson’s artwork titled “No Matter Race Everyone is Equal” is the winner of the commission’s eighth annual Citywide Art Contest. Henderson’s entry will be used as the visual representation of the 36th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration which will take place in-person on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. An official unveiling and dedication of the artwork will take place Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. in the City Hall Briefing Room. 

“I’m really honored and grateful to have this opportunity to showcase my artwork, and visually express the meaning of everyone being equal, no matter what race,” said Henderson. “For inspiration I looked to the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which to me expressed his want for change, his want for rights for people that should already have their God-given rights.”
 
Henderson, a 15-year-old student at IDEA Burke College Prep, created her digital artwork using computer graphics. The artwork was selected by a panel based on its concept, artistic imagery, visual presentation and originality.
 
"Every year, this art contest gives us an opportunity to celebrate the talent of young people across the city,” said District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez. “As an educator, this is one of my favorite times of year because I get to experience the results of our students' creativity. Students submitted artwork in various mediums and we were blown away by how beautiful and unique each piece was. We are so proud of what Shelby managed to accomplish and are expecting a very bright (and artistic) future for her!"

Previous Winners

2022 MLK Artwork Winner: Cyaundra Chatman

View 2022 MLK Artwork Winner(PDF, 3MB)

2021 MLK Artwork Winner: Yesenia Morin

View 2021 MLK Artwork Winner(PDF, 952KB)