ARTEFFECT at MCAAD: Visualizing Impact

The guiding force of freedom fuels the American Dream and the dreams of the global community. Freedom, an inherent human right, entails the ability to choose one’s own way of life and political and religious views. Freedom is an essential component of society for all people to prosper and create meaningful, productive lives.

Great leaders with familiar names shine in the history books of the hard-won battles for independence. Unsung Heroes are among those who fought against tyranny and oppression, and who courageously challenged the injustices of the governing order. In resourceful ways and with firm conviction, these Unsung Heroes sought to secure freedom as a foundational right for future generations.

Through ARTEFFECT, young artists are inspired by heroic quests for political and personal freedom. By reaching into history and shaping visual narratives about the pursuit and attainment of freedom, young artists serve as the gatekeepers of an everlasting vision.

Advancing the American Dream means advancing together on issues that affect positive change in the world. Liberty and justice are American ideals and values that all people must constantly forge.

During periods of history marked by injustices, Unsung Heroes emerged on the scene and took personal risks to challenge these injustices. Driven by a strong conscience and sense of responsibility, they became advocates and activists, often acting at their own peril to improve the lives of others. Their extraordinary actions have made possible the implementation of fair labor laws, equal voting rights, and equal access to quality education.

Through visualizing the positive and profound impact these Unsung Heroes made on civil rights, young artists come to recognize the value and ongoing need to strive for a society that promotes equal opportunity for all.

Photojournalists are visual storytellers. They use a camera as an instrument to document people, places, and events that are newsworthy. Unsung Heroes who worked as photojournalists had a mission. Through their photographs, they sought to expose information hidden in plain sight and bring greater visibility to critical issues.

Photographs are worth a thousand words, and these Unsung Heroes changed the world one photograph at a time. They captured photos to trigger emotions and compel their viewers into action. Unsung Hero Lewis Hine, an American photographer, believed photography was “an empathy towards the world.”

Like photojournalists, young artists participating in ARTEFFECT have visual news to share. Through their original works of art and impact statements, young artist create new narratives that bridge the lessons they learn from history with the possibilities they envision for the future.

The Holocaust was the genocide of Jewish people living in Europe that occurred from 1933-1945. During the Holocaust, the Nazi regime systematically killed an estimated 6 million Jewish people, including 1.5 million Jewish children. The Nazi’s calculated, strategic policies were motivated by their ideas about race and hierarchy.

The evil, antisemitic policies and actions of the Nazis were not without opposition. Unsung Heroes of this period acted against the horrific violence. The actions of these Unsung Heroes are reflective of Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew phrase meaning “repair the world.” This concept emphasizes the responsibility of individuals and communities to make the world a better place.

Young artists remember the Unsung Heroes of the Holocaust in their ARTEFFECT visual arts projects. These young artists honor Jewish resistors and non-Jewish co-conspirators who risked their lives and strove for a world where Jewish people would be free from persecution and the value of all human life would be recognized and ensured worldwide.

How do people find hope in the face of despair? Even in the darkest corners of human history, heroic acts inspire and guide us towards the light of justice. Unsung Heroes prioritized their convictions above the conflicts of their historical eras. They proved that, whether you are enlisted in the military, called to action by conscience, or a concerned citizen, it is possible to make contributions to others during devastating times by remaining steadfast in your values.

Some wartime Unsung Heroes acted in service and loyalty to their countries, while others fought against oppressive regimes. These Unsung Heroes come from diverse backgrounds, but they were guided by values that led them to save the lives of others, even when it meant risking their own.

ARTEFFECT encourages young artists to explore these extraordinary acts of heroism through the visual arts. Their projects on role models from wartime remind us that everyday people can take actions to repair the world—even in the most difficult and uncertain times.

Problem-solvers. Innovators. Geniuses! These are some of the words we use to describe people who push the envelope across the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math—or STEAM. Humans throughout history have recognized the importance of honoring people who bring new knowledge into the world. The world, however, hasn’t always ascribed greatness to innovation when it comes from women.

These Unsung Heroes made discoveries and masterpieces, putting in countless days of research and embarking upon years-long searches for answers to complex questions. Even though they faced discrimination and criticism because of their gender, these women insisted on following their dreams to excel on professional paths in STEAM.

Through ARTEFFECT, young artists reframe stories from history to help us see and experience the world in new ways. Reflective of the Unsung Heroes they honor, their visual arts projects demonstrate how creative and curious minds have the potential to change the world.

What’s the difference between new and improved? Invention creates something new that never existed before. Innovation improves and adapts existing things for more widespread use. Innovators develop existing technologies, research, professional practices, or machinery to solve problems and achieve a wide impact.

Unsung Heroes who were innovative set out to make positive contributions to improve the lives of others and society. Their ability to succeed in their endeavors, to produce new knowledge and products that changed the course of history, were not happenstance occurrences. Rather their achievements were often a combination of insight, creativity, perseverance, and lifelong commitment.

These Unsung Heroes explored the world intellectually and experientially, learning by doing. Young artists celebrating the contributions of these individuals through ARTEFFECT also learn by doing. Their visual arts projects offer widespread inspiration to future problem-solvers of the world.

When you imagine a hospital, what do you see? Sterile metal equipment or beeping heart monitors? Medical procedures and tools that sustain and save lives are made possible through the work of dedicated Unsung Heroes, often working behind the scenes, researching and finding solutions to medical issues.

Medical breakthroughs are significant advancements that include a wide range of discoveries and technologies that improve human health and well-being. Breakthroughs open the door to new treatments for diseases, diagnostic tools, medications, and therapies. Breakthroughs in healthcare are often built upon and improve existing research and practices and the result of a collaborative team effort.

Young artists celebrating the medical breakthroughs of Unsung Heroes may choose to envision the life-saving impact upon countless lives or the dedication and compassion of a medical pioneer. In honoring these Unsung Heroes, ARTEFFECT visual arts projects also underscore the importance of our collective healthcare and ongoing advances in medical science.