The American Heroes Student Art Contest is made possible by Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Freedom 250 and NEH invited students in grades 3–12 across America to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday through the creation of original artworks and essays.

Each student created a piece of art inspired by one of their favorite historical American heroes—a statesman, athlete, scholar, artist, musician, scientist, entrepreneur, or other iconic American—who will be honored with a statue in the forthcoming National Garden of American Heroes. These students drew inspiration from great American leaders and artists of the past, creating new expressions of American art and patriotism through their incredible work.

Featured here are both the National and Regional winners of the contest. The National winners are Jiyun Kim (Elementary School), Violet Crowder (Middle School), and Samantha Wiggin (High School).