Student ARTEFFECT Exhibit at Southwest Regional Library Honors Unsung Heroes Through Art
Pleasure Ridge Park High School students showcase history-inspired artwork, with two Kentucky finalists named in the international ARTEFFECT competition.
A powerful student art exhibit at the Southwest Regional Louisville Free Public Library is shining a spotlight on history’s Unsung Heroes. Created by students from Pleasure Ridge Park High School, the exhibition is part of the international ARTEFFECT competition and runs through early October in the library’s teen space.
Under the guidance of visual art teacher Denise Webb, students spent the spring semester researching figures from history who made an impact but often go unrecognized. Each student then created a work of art to honor their chosen hero, accompanied by process papers and related library resources.
The partnership between PRP and the Louisville Free Public Library highlights Webb’s role as a 2024–25 ARTEFFECT Ambassador, where she developed the exhibit as her capstone project. With its success, the show is intended to become a traveling exhibit, bringing stories of courage and resilience to the wider Louisville community.
Finalist Artwork 1 – Victor Aldrete, with The Man Who Saved a Generation, honoring Martin Couney, whose incubator exhibits saved thousands of premature babies. Aldrete’s choice was deeply personal—he was a premature baby himself. credit Denise WebbFinalist Artwork 2 – Lilly Zagula, with Letters to Freedom, celebrating Irena Sendler, who rescued thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. credit Denise WebbFounded by Lowell Milken, ARTEFFECT is an annual visual arts initiative inviting students in grades 6–12 to explore the lessons of Unsung Heroes through creative expression. The 2026 competition opens October 1. credit Denise WebbThe exhibit is free and open to the public through early October at the Southwest Regional Library in Louisville. credit Denise WebbVictor Aldrete In-Progress Artwork credit Denise Webbcredit Denise WebbLilly Zagula In-Progress Artwork credit Denise Webbcredit Denise Webbcredit Denise Webb
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Caleb is currently the Editor in Chief for LEO Weekly from Southern Indiana, AKA the Suburbs of Louisville, and has worked for other news outlets, including The Courier Journal and Spectrum News 1 KY....
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