Canvas of Culture: PGCPS Hispanic Heritage Month Art & Photo Challenge
We are thrilled to showcase the inspiring artwork created by our PGCPS students for this year's Canvas of Culture art challenge for Hispanic Heritage Month! Students from across the district submitted original drawings, paintings, illustrations, and photography honoring the Latino leaders who inspire them most—from historical trailblazers and community figures to beloved teachers and family members.
Explore their creations and read their stories below.
Amirah Ajibola
10th Grade | Eleanor Roosevelt High
Celia Cruz was a Cuban American singer known as the “Queen of Salsa” who helped popularize salsa music around the world. She inspires me because of her political courage and her willingness to stand by her beliefs, even when doing so came with personal consequences.
Juliette Romero Viva
3rd Grade | Paint Branch Elementary
Ellen Ochoa inspires me because she worked hard and never gave up on her dreams of becoming a scientist and astronaut. Her story motivates me to follow my own dreams, because I want to become a scientist and one day travel to the Moon too.
Lucy Pyenson
6th Grade | Hyattsville Middle
Rufino Tamayo is a Mexican artist that reshaped the view of 20th century art. I took inspiration from the cards in his Naturaleza Muerta con Pie (Still Life with Foot) 1928 oil painting and incorporated them into my drawing. He inspires me because he almost always includes his culture in his drawings and I love that he's proud of his heritage.
Naara Morales
7th Grade | Hyattsville Middle
The Latino artist that inspired my artwork is Joan Miro. He inspires me to continue art and that art can be shown through shapes.
Kadyn Collier
8th Grade | Hyattsville Middle
Who I chose was Diego Velázquez. The reason why I chose him is because of how he draws his paintings realistically; for example, his portraits of other people and himself, animals, and backgrounds. He inspires me to draw in a realistic art style, to draw more animals, and to get better at drawing landscapes.
Katherine Galan Lopez
7th Grade | Hyattsville Middle
My latino leader is José Clemente Orozco. I took inspiration from one of his most famous pieces called "Self-Portrait as a Tehuana". What made me draw this was because I thought that the drawing was so pretty and I think that all drawings should be shared with all different types of people.
Dylan Hernandez
5th Grade | Paint Branch Elementary
Lionel Messi inspires me because he is a good leader for his team. He is a strong player but also helps others to set up goals for them to score.
Raymond Gaskins
Kindergarten | CMIT Academy South
I am a 5-year-old who loves elevators and learning how they work. I am inspired by Elio Morillo, an Ecuadorian-American engineer who worked with NASA on the Mars 2020 mission. His work helped send a rover to Mars and showed me that engineers can help us explore faraway places.
One day, I dream of building a space elevator that carries people from Earth into space. I love imagining new ways to travel and explore!
Yasmin Guzman
7th Grade | Hyattsville Middle
The Latino leader I got my inspiration from is Francisco Goya, The title of the artwork I got inspiration from is called “Time and the Old Women” Created in 1820. The artist has inspired me by his unique art style and his artwork.
Isabella Hernandez
5th Grade | Beacon Heights Elementary
My Latina leader is Frida Kahlo. She is a Mexican figure who I liked because of her art style . She even made art when she was in pain.
Ian Carino-Aguado
5th Grade | Paint Branch Elementary
My Latino leader is Raul Jimenez. Raul Jimenez inspired me because he was the one who made me play soccer for fun. Another thing is he made me shape a better future because I'm better with my moves than in the past.