“Nothing About Us Without Us” Art Competition Winners To Have Work Displayed in MTA Stations for Disability Pride Month

  • Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2024

NEW YORK — New York City Public Schools today celebrated the annual Disability Pride Visual Arts Contest, a competition that honors the resilience and achievements of individuals with disabilities in their ongoing pursuit of equity, access, and inclusion. More than 70 students in kindergarten through 12th grade submitted individual and group artwork in line with this year’s theme, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”  

This year, for the first time ever, the ten finalists and one grand finalist will have their work displayed across all Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) subway stations and train cars during the month of July to celebrate Disability Pride Month.  

This year’s winners are:  

  • Grand Finalist: Kevin Lin, Grade 12, PS Q233 in Queens 
  • Finalist: Charli Sue Cosentino, Grade 4. K418 The Children’s School, Brooklyn. 
  • Finalist: Oscar Cruz, Grade 9, P.S. Q233. Queens 
  • Finalist: Alex del Rio, Grade 4, P.S. 34 Franklin D. Roosevelt, Manhattan 
  • Finalist: Isabel Dodanmaluwa, Grade 3, R034 The Barbara Esselborn School, Staten Island 
  • Finalist: Collaborating students Giovanni Quintero (Grade 8), Fardin Khan (Grade 8), and Juan Calixto (Grade 6), J.H.S. 210 Elizabeth Blackwell, Queens 
  • Finalist: Li Xiang Lin, Grade 6, P.S. R373, Staten Island 
  • Finalist: Oscar Martinez, Grade 12, P.S. 373 Brooklyn Transition Center, Brooklyn 
  • Finalist: Ms. Brianna Van Giesen’s Second Grade Class, K008 The Emily Warren Roebling School, Brooklyn 
  • Finalist:  Adony Rodriguez, Grade 8, X363 Academy for Personal Leadership and Excellence, Bronx 
  • Finalist: Wesley Toji, Grade 7, PS R373, Staten Island 

“Access and inclusion are at the forefront of our work at New York City Public Schools,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “This competition honors our students’ voices and experiences, fostering an empathetic, understanding, and inclusive community.”  

JPEGs of the winning submissions can be found here.

A committee of judges, including Chief of Staff to Mayor Eric Adams Camille Joseph Varlack, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Christina Curry, and Regional Supervisor for the New York State Education Department Kathy Cummings, meticulously reviewed entries, considering representation of the theme (60%), originality (30%), and technical skill (10%) in their deliberations.  

"I commend the more than 70 students who courageously shared their unique perspectives through art, showcasing their talents and contributing to a more inclusive narrative here in New York City,” said Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff to Mayor Adams. “It’s especially thrilling that the finalists' artwork will be displayed prominently across MTA subway stations and digital screens during Disability Pride Month, amplifying their voices and spreading awareness. This initiative not only celebrates artistic achievement but also promotes dialogue and understanding, advancing our collective journey towards equity and access for all." 

“The Disability Pride Arts Contest helps remind us of the profound impact of inclusion and equity in shaping our communities,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “The MTA is excited to display these art pieces as part of our celebration of Disability Pride Month, which echoes the MTA’s continued commitment to accessibility across the system.”