Annual Art Competition Honors NYC Students for Creating Artwork Rejecting Hate, Bias, and Discrimination
Winning Artwork Will Be Displayed Publicly Across All Five Boroughs, Amplifying Youth Voices Against Hate
NEW YORK – The New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) today announced the winners of its 2026 HeARTwork Against Hate art contest, an annual citywide initiative that invites young New Yorkers to use art to stand against hate, bias, and discrimination and promote messages of empathy, inclusion, and respect.
“What makes HeARTwork Against Hate so special is that it reaches the hearts of young people from every corner of our city,” said Vijah Ramjattan, Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. “Our kids have so much to say about what they see, feel, and experience, but it can be hard to put those big ideas into words. Through art, they’re able to share their stories — stories of diversity, caring, purpose, pain, beauty, and hope. We are amazed by their work and so proud of them for using their voices to send a clear message to all of New York City: hate has no place here.”
“Seeing our city through the eyes of young people is a powerful reminder that building safer communities starts with how we understand, value, and stand up for one another — even as children,” said Deanna Logan, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. “I was blown away by the talent of these young artists and the complexity of their ideas. Their artwork shows how deeply they understand the harm caused by hate and bias, and how clearly they can imagine a city rooted in safety, empathy, respect, and belonging.”
Launched in 2020 as part of OPHC’s ongoing commitment to preventing hate through education, awareness, and community engagement, HeARTwork Against Hate encourages New Yorkers ages 8 to 18 to express messages of respect, unity, belonging, and shared humanity through original artwork.
This year, OPHC received 227 submissions from young artists across the five boroughs — double last year’s total — reflecting the initiative’s growing reach and the powerful role art can play in helping young people express their experiences, ideas, and hopes for a safer, more united city.
The contest recognized student artists in three grade-level categories: grades 3 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12. First-, second-, and third-place winners were selected in each group, along with honorable mentions.
Three students took home first-place honors and $500 cash prizes, and more than 40 others were recognized with runner-up prizes and honorable mention awards. For the first time, OPHC’s leadership also selected three submissions as “Executive Director’s Picks.”
The selected pieces will be displayed in exhibitions across the five boroughs, amplifying youth voices and highlighting the role young New Yorkers play in shaping a more compassionate and inclusive city.
HeARTwork Against Hate Winners
First Place:
| Artist: Mya Collins, Staten Island, 4th Grade Title of Artwork: Caring is the Cure About the Artwork: Kids from different religions volunteer together in the Kids Give Back program at Making a Change with Kindness. One day, a Jewish boy who was doing something kind for his community was made fun of just because he looked different. Seeing that happen made my heart hurt because he didn’t deserve it. I spoke up and asked them to choose kindness. This drawing shows that caring for each other is how we stop hate. | |
| Artist: Seema Huang, Manhattan, 6th Grade Title of Artwork: Stop the Deportation About the Artwork: My submission shows people protesting the hate and crime that is happening to people in ICES custody. I drew this picture from a photograph taken by Mike Cardew in the Akron Ohio Beacon Journal. The picture shows friends Diego Alvarez, William Barnes, Andy Melendez, James Richardson and others holding Mexican flags to show they will not stand for the atrocities immigrants and even citizens are facing by ICE. | |
| Artist: Ximena Martinez, Queens, 11th Grade Title of Artwork: Birds are what make NYC more diverse About the Artwork: With the rise of hate crimes, birds have their wings, which can symbolize “Hope” and “Freedom.” These qualities are impossible to be caught by racial motivations. Similarly, no matter how much hate crimes try to erase the existence of diversity and different nationalities and religions in New York City, the community will keep its strongest voices and use its “wings” as a sense of importance. The community is a flock to protect each other. |
Second Place:
| Artist: Vincent Chen, Brooklyn, 2nd Grade Title of Artwork: Our City Grows Up Healthy Without Hate About the Artwork: Our New York City is like a pretty flower, full of sunlight, peace, and hope. But, because of bullies, racism, threats, and teasing, our city has become unhealthy. Just like my artwork describes, these hate crimes cause this beautiful flower to wither. I hope for our city to be full of freedom, respect, and equality to let this flower grow healthy and beautiful again. | |
| Artist: Genevieve Wung, Staten Island, 6th Grade Title of Artwork: Hearts United Against Hate About the Artwork: Dark clouds with words like “hate” and “racism” represent problems in society, while a rainbow and white doves symbolize hope and peace. The New York City skyline reminds us that everyone belongs. The painting shows that when people stand together, love is stronger than hate. | |
| Artist: Khrystyna Orlestska, Brooklyn, 11th Grade Title of Artwork: We Ride As ONE About the Artwork: My artwork, “We Ride As ONE”, is meant to portray the diversity of New York City. Most, if not all New Yorkers have taken the subway, so it is a very diverse place. NYC is a melting pot of hundreds of cultures, and a public place like the subway easily shows everyone’s diversity. The posters posted around the train are meant to show encouraging and positive messages that we should love each other and not spread hate. |
Third Place:
| Artists: P.S. 223 Lyndon B. Johnson school, Class 414, Queens, 4th & 5th Grade Title of Artwork: Choose Kindness About the Artwork: Students in a bilingual special education class, many of whom are Latin American immigrants or children of immigrants, chose to address the recent attacks on the Hispanic community. Motivated by their own experiences and concerns, the class came together to create a meaningful message promoting unity and understanding. Their participation highlights the importance of using art to communicate positive values and stand against injustice. | |
| Artist: Christy Zhang, Brooklyn, 8th Grade Title of Artwork: Petals of Allium About the Artwork: All hands reach for the allium flowers in the center side by side. The alliums represent unity among all and the strength of coming together as one. | |
| Artist: Lucas Gibbons, Bronx, 11th Grade Title of Artwork: Love Always Wins About the Artwork: Love and family come in different shapes and sizes. No matter who you are or where you are from, love is something that is universal and can be found almost everywhere. |
Executive Director Picks:
| Artists: Arthur Krovatin & Nico Stampur, Manhattan, 4th Grade Title of Artwork: Community Skyline About the Artwork: Hate has no place in our city. Inspired by graffiti and the people we love in our neighborhoods, schools, and families, we wanted others to see what a caring community looks like when they look at our art. This piece is a collaboration between two best friends, with help from a little sister, as well as parents, cousins, and babysitters. It is literally a product of our community. | |
| Artists: Abigail Ramnarine, Queens, 6th Grade Title of Artwork: When Love Pours Down About the Artwork: My submission, When Love Pours Down, shows a person watering others with love, peace, and equality. The people in my painting come from different ethnic backgrounds and are standing together as one. The world can sometimes feel divided because people judge others based on skin color, race, or religion. I believe that if we choose kindness and pour love into the world, we can help it grow into a more united and peaceful place. | |
| Artists: Emily Zhan, Brooklyn, 9th Grade Title of Artwork: The Importance of Representation About the Artwork: When I was coming up with what to draw, I instantly thought about the times where I’ve seen little girls feel empowered by dolls that resemble them. I know that when I was a kid, she would’ve loved to see dolls that incorporated my culture into them, so in this way, my digital art was inspired by my younger self. This just goes to show how important representation, respect, and acceptance are to younger audience. Some people may think that representation through dolls doesn’t matter as much, but the truth is; It does matter. It makes people feel seen, heard, helping them understand that no, their appearance, identity, and culture are natural and that there are people just like them. |
2026 HeARTwork Against Hate Honorable Mentions:
Grades 3-5
| ARTIST NAME(S) | BOROUGH | GRADE | ARTWORK TITLE |
| Jujhar Singh Sarao | Queens | 3 | We are all the same. |
| Shihan Wang | Queens | 3 | Diversity Awareness |
| Jocelyn Wung | Staten Island | 4 | We Stand Together Against Hate |
| Kingsley Zhao | Manhattan | 4 | The bird that protects from hate |
| Kristen Santiago | Queens | 4 | Be Proud |
| Olivia Harasiuk | Queens | 4 | Stopping the Hate |
| Ziwen Wang | Manhattan | 4 | Where we are, there is peace. |
| Gabrielle Remy | Brooklyn | 5 | The LOVE Jar |
| Hanna Rozan | Brooklyn | 5 | Together we are stronger |
| Hannah Chen | Brooklyn | 5 | The Power of Friendship |
| Khaylie Whyte | Brooklyn | 5 | Show Love Not Hate |
| Richard Lin | Brooklyn | 5 | We Stand As One |
Grades 6-8
| ARTIST NAME(S) | BOROUGH | GRADE | ARTWORK TITLE |
| Anika Von Marie G. Kabiling | Manhattan | 6 | Think Before You Speak |
| Theo Detjen | Manhattan | 6 | Love and Unity in Harlem |
| Hana Hassane | Brooklyn | 7 | No One Is Different _ We’re All the Same |
| Logan Park | Brooklyn | 7 | Love is Love <3 |
| Malayah Roberts | Manhattan | 7 | NYC STANDS TOGETHER, VOICES AGAINST HATE |
| Sophia Clare | Manhattan | 7 | The Words We Speak |
| Diana Reynoso Saucedo | Brooklyn | 8 | A Silent Burden |
| Emily Li | Manhattan | 8 | Thriving in Diversity |
| JinXin Chen | Manhattan | 8 | Let Go of Hate and Light up Peace |
| Justin Lin | Brooklyn | 8 | Love All |
| Xin Yao Jiang | Manhattan | 8 | Lingering Sting |
| Yitong Li | Manhattan | 8 | A Journey Without Hate in NYC |
| Zoe Kim | Manhattan | 8 | Liberation for All of Us |
Grades 9-12
| ARTIST NAME(S) | BOROUGH | GRADE | ARTWORK TITLE |
| Angela Yu | Manhattan | 9 | ICE |
| Ashley Kowlessar | Brooklyn | 9 | On the subway |
| Madeleine Gung | Brooklyn | 9 | Connecting People, Connecting Places |
| Esme Kalish | Manhattan | 10 | Don’t Hate Create |
| Ruby Harrison | Manhattan | 10 | A Place For All |
| Yanfei Chen | Manhattan | 10 | Puzzle |
| Yuuki Chang-Yasui | Manhattan | 10 | NYC Stands Together |
| Blake Lin | Brooklyn | 11 | Bright Futures Lies Ahead |
| Evelyn Lin | Manhattan | 11 | Under the Same Sun |
| Jemma Huffman | Manhattan | 11 | Spirit of NYC |
| Jordy Molina | Brooklyn | 11 | Stand Tall. No Hate at All. |
| Maria Roja | Bronx | 11 | Beyond The Difference |
| Sean Sopochana | Manhattan | 11 | Amidst the Noise |
| Nia Soto | Manhattan | 12 | The American Dream |
About the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC)
As part of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, OPHC takes a holistic approach to preventing hate crimes, developing and coordinating community-driven prevention strategies to address biases fueling such crimes, and fostering healing for victims and their communities. The agency coordinates the city’s efforts through a committee consisting of over 20 agencies and all five district attorney hate crimes units, as well as networks of community-based providers and organizations. It works with partners to develop approaches to preventing hate violence, resources to promote reporting of incidents, and responses for when hate crimes occur. For more information, visit nyc.gov/stophate.