Student Art Contest

The Art of Courage and Resistance

The Student Art Contest challenges students to explore the history and personal stories of the Holocaust and to consider how these stories connect to our lives today.

Open to students in grades 5-12 from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.  The Holocaust Center for Humanity’s Art Contest is offered in memory of Jacob Friedman, a Holocaust survivor who recognized the incredible value of education.

Congratulations to the 2026 winners!

Grades 5-6

  • 1st: Etty Cramer – Grade 6, Evergreen Middle School in Spokane, WA
  • 2nd: Elliot Jackson – Grade 6, Peperzak Middle School in Spokane, WA
  • 3rd: Yuna Boo – Grade 6, Rose Hill Middle School in Redmond, WA

Grades 7-8

  • 1st: Sophia Shen – Grade 8, St. Thomas School in Medina, WA
  • 2nd: Edie + Angel Bangle – Grade 8, Salk Middle School in Spokane, WA
  • 3rd: Melody Wyrick – Grade 8, Northwest Christian School in Colbert, WA
  • Honorable Mention: Payton Fortner – Grade 8, Salk Middle School in Spokane, WA
  • Honorable Mention: August Walowski – Grade 8, St. Thomas School in Medina, WA

Grades 9-12

  • 1st: Reese Rudin – Grade 12, Woodinville High School in Woodinville, WA
  • 2nd: Paisley Archer – Grade 12, Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, WA
  • 3rd: Thea Sima – Grade 12, Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, WA
  • Honorable Mention: Ayla Sibay – Grade 10, The Downtown School in Seattle, WA

2026 Winners

Art by Yuna Boo

Prompt

Art by Saisha Agarwal

Contest Details

Prompt

Holocaust survivors rebuilt their lives in communities all over the world. Our Survivor Encyclopedia contains stories, video clips and photos about the experiences of Jewish Holocaust survivors who ultimately relocated to Washington State. Choose from among the below list of survivors to learn how courage and  resistance played a role in their survival story. Your art should convey one or more aspects of a survivor’s story that best illustrates the theme of resistance.