Two Savannah Arts Academy students, Kelly Kullman and Moheb Asimi, have made their city proud by winning prestigious awards in a remarkable display of local talent at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes’ 9th annual ARTEFFECT competition. Held to honor the spirit and stories of “Unsung Heroes from History,” this year’s event saw Kullman and Asimi winning $750 Certificates of Excellence for their outstanding artistic submissions. Their success not only highlights Savannah’s rich pool of young talent but also contributes to the national recognition of the event, which distributed a total of $26,250 in cash prizes across various divisions.

With participants across the nation, the ARTEFFECT competition encourages middle and high school students to delve deep into history and bring to light the stories of heroes who have left an indelible mark on society. This year’s winners from Savannah, both slated to graduate in 2024, picked intriguing historical figures for their art projects. Kelly Kullman’s etching paid homage to the pioneering marine biologist Dr. Eugenie Clark, while Moheb Asimi’s mixed-media piece celebrated the legacy of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, the Islamic Golden Age’s brilliant mathematician. Their works stand as a testament to the power of art in narrating the impactful tales of those who’ve shaped our world but remained largely unrecognized.

Kelly and Moheb’s submissions were more than just creative representations; they were deeply researched narratives that showcased these unsung heroes in a new light. Kullman’s piece, “Squalus clarkae,” intricately portrays Dr. Clark immersed in her seminal work with sharks, while Asimi’s “Completing the Square” brings to life al-Khwarizmi’s contributions to mathematics amidst an admiring crowd, under a symbolic golden square. Their ability to fuse artistic skill with historical storytelling not only won them accolades but also the opportunity to have their work displayed in the LMC’s Hall of Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, and featured in upcoming exhibitions. Their work highlights not only their individual talents but also the importance of art in education and historical preservation.

The judging panel for the ARTEFFECT competition, comprising executive leadership from the LMC and visual arts experts from renowned institutions such as the Skirball Cultural Center and ArtCenter College of Design, praised the high aesthetic and conceptual quality of the submissions. This year’s event not only provided a platform for young artists to showcase their talents but also highlighted the significance of recognizing and celebrating lesser-known historical figures through creative expression. With the next competition set to open in November 2024, the community eagerly anticipates more inspiring stories from Savannah’s budding artists, who continue to bring to light the extraordinary lives of history’s unsung heroes.