Black History Month Art Contest Kicks Off For February

The 6th Annual Black History Month Art Contest for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Metro Tulsa kicked off on Tuesday.

It's hosted by US cellular and Area Sales Manager Micayla Carlson said these competitions are going on all over the country.

"We love to be able to see the opportunity to be able to influence and support and inspire the youth of the future,” Carlson said.

"With the Boys and Girls Club, it’s that kids learn, and learn why we celebrate Black History Month. It's not just something that's on the calendar. It's very important that we keep doing that,” Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Richard White said.

The top 10 pieces of art were created by kids and teenagers in the Boys and Girls Club. The finalists were chosen based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and the overall impression.

Their challenge was to choose a STEM representative in the Black community to learn about and draw, including historical figures, world leaders, scientists, and educators.

"It makes them see that they can come from anywhere and do great things in that field,” White said.

"This competition is all about being able to showcase artwork, creativity, imagination, while also learning about important historical and present Black icons in the community and around the globe,” Carlson said.

For example, one finalist researched and drew Katherine Johnson, the famous mathematician who played a role in the moon landing. Another finalist drew George Washington Carver, a prominent scientist and leader in agriculture innovation. 

"I hope that they would be inspired that the sky's the limit. That they can reach for anything, that they would be courageous. That they would see different opportunities of what's available to them in the future and be able to just aspire for more,” Carlson said.

You can vote online until the end of the month.

The top three will win gift cards and will be announced in March.

Related: Vote Now In The 2022 UScellular Black History Month Art Contest