2024 ARTEFFECT Middle School Second Place, Jordyn Sledge's artwork "Heartstrings Unraveled"

The ARTEFFECT Competition, at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC), awarded the $1,000 Middle School Second Place prize to Jordyn Sledge, an 8th grader at at Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex in Jackson, Mississippi. The mixed-media artwork celebrates Unsung Hero Dr. Vivien Thomas, whose personal relevance to Sledge informed the creative process. Thomas changed the medical field through transformative work in cardiovascular surgery despite being unable to earn a formal medical degree and having his research go uncredited by other surgeons who depended on his findings.
LMC announced the 20 awardees in the 9th annual ARTEFFECT competition with over $26,000 in cash prizes. The international competition challenges students to creatively interpret the stories of Unsung Heroes through original works of art accompanied by artist impact statements.
Visit bit.ly/2024-ARTEFFECT-Winners to view all the 2024 ARTEFFECT awardees.
Established in 2007, LMC discovers, develops, and communicates the stories of Unsung Heroes who took extraordinary actions to improve the lives of others, and made a profound and positive impact on history. ARTEFFECT invites teachers and their students to explore these stories of diverse and inspiring Unsung Heroes through the visual arts. ARTEFFECT's offerings include an annual student competition (November -May), professional development for K-12 educators, and exhibitions.
To learn more, visit: www.lowellmilkencenter.org/co...