Each year, students in the Department of Art submit pieces, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, based on a pre-selected theme. This competition selects the best artwork depicting the theme of peace and reconciliation and is often held in conjunction with the annual Sadat Lecture for Peace. Past themes have included the refugee crisis, the impact of the government’s reaction to 9/11 and its impact on the world, and dignity. A first and second-place winner is selected for each category and in some instances, students have been selected for honorable mention.

Artists statement
We have barely begun to write the story of democracy. From ancient Athens, to the French Revolution, to our own American government, "rule by the people" has meant rule by the few, excluding women, people of color, and the poor. Today, there is so much to be hopeful about as we celebrate the advances we have made towards inclusion. Still, there are many challenges to overcome. Fragile and complex like democracy itself, this work asks the question we must constantly ask ourselves: How will we use our human capacities for compassion, creativity, and intelligence to construct a better society and write a truer version of the democratic story.