ARTEFFECT JOINS IN OBSERVING
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
ARTEFFECT recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month by spotlighting the extraordinary legacies of Indigenous people throughout American history. Through their contributions across varied disciplines, these four Unsung Heroes made positive impacts on the course of history.
Learn more about their extraordinary stories and view ARTEFFECT projects on these individuals:
Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott(1919-2010) was a pioneering Native Hawaiian scientist who revolutionized marine botany and connected traditional knowledge with modern science.
Oscar Howe(1915-1983) was a modernist painter and arts educator who challenged art institutions’ preconceptions about Native American artwork. challenged stereotypes in modern art and redefined artistic boundaries around Native American art.
Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte(1865-1915) was the first Native American to earn a medical degree in the United States was the first Native and broke barriers as the first Native American to earn a Medical Degree in the United States.
Chester Nez(1921-2014) was one of the “First Twenty-Nine” Navajo Code Talkers and veteran of World War II and the Korean War helped develop an encrypted communication system for the U.S. military.
Through the ARTEFFECT competition, students consider, interpret, and create original artworks that champion the LMC Unsung Heroes as role models. The competition is accepting submission in various 2D & 3D media from students in grades 6-12 worldwide through April 21, 2026.
ARTEFFECT is pleased to announced our four 2025-2026 ARTEFFECT Mentors! This group of exceptional visual arts educators will work closely with ARTEFFECT Ambassadors this year on their capstone projects. Congratulations on the new role!
Jennifer Braverman is an Art Teacher at Maple Shade High School in Maple Shade, New Jersey
Renna Georgia Moore-Edwards is the Visual Arts Department Chair at Ida B. Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex in Jackson, Misssissippi
Kristin Ponden is the Visual Arts Department Chair at The Unquowa School in Fairfield, Connecticut
Matt Shain Young is a Visual Art Teacher at Pickerington Central High School in Pickerington, Ohio
ARTEFFECT has recently announced the new 2025-2026 Ambassadors cohort. These 28 esteemed middle and high school educators will participate in online professional development focused on Unsung Heroes and develop innovative capstone projects to engage their classrooms and communities.
STILL TIME TO JOIN US TOMORROW! CHARACTER & VALUES
Wed. November 19, 2025
4:00-5:15PM Pacific Time
Dr. Veronica Alvarez will lead this session spotlighting heroic character traits and actions of Unsung Heroes. This session presents research-based strategies for teachers to strengthen historical empathy and awareness–with SEL and ELA connections.
UPCOMING SESSION! Storytelling through Art
Wed. December 10, 2025
4:00-5:15PM Pacific Time
ARTEFFECT announces Storytelling through Art with art teacher and Milken Educator Brad LeDeuc! Engage in a step-by-step process with your students for developing novel and effective approaches to visual storytelling with a focus on the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes from history. Educators learn the six key components to storytelling that lead from storyline development to a completed artwork. Various visual analyzing tools, classroom resources, and lesson plan will be provided.
ARTEFFECT online sessions are free to join and registration is required. All registrants receive a session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for session attendees
