Kirby Middle School Student Angelina Paez Wins the 2026 Mlk Youth Art Contest for Her Collage Celebrating Unity and Equality
Thirteen-year-old Kirby Middle School student Angelina Paez has been named the winner of San Antonio’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Art Contest. Presented by the City of San Antonio’s District 2 Office, the Department of Arts & Culture, and the MLK Commission, the annual contest invites young artists to interpret Dr. King’s legacy through creativity and social consciousness.
Paez’s winning piece is a striking collage constructed from newspaper clippings, depicting hands joined together in unity before San Antonio’s Tower of the Americas. Her work reflects the 2026 contest theme, “Diversity Unites Us: Love Leads Us & Action Propels Us!”
“My artwork shows that it’s not the differences that define us, but the ability to celebrate and accept those differences,” said Paez. “At the end of the day, we are all just human and deserve the right to be treated equally.”
Her artwork will appear on all official materials for San Antonio’s 2026 MLK March and commemorations, including posters and programs. “After much excitement and thoughtful discussion, Angelina’s powerful and inspiring artwork received the most votes and was selected as the 2026 MLK Art Contest winner,” said Dr. Doshie Piper, MLK Commission Chairperson.
The MLK Commission and District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez encourages residents to participate in the nation’s largest MLK March on Monday, January 19, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and concluding with a park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park. The event will feature multicultural performances, youth activities, vendors, and information booths.
“San Antonio has a proud legacy of unwavering support for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of unifying action,” said Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez. “The youth art contest exemplifies that our community is stronger for looking to our young people — and empowering them to lead.”
For more information, visit the City of San Antonio’s official website.
