On May 1st, the United States commemorates Law Day to acknowledge our legal system and appreciate the role it plays in safeguarding the freedoms we enjoy. This year, the Office for Justice Initiatives once again partnered with the Historical Society of the New York Courts and invited high school students in New York State, to participate in an art contest inspired by the American Bar Association’s 2025 Law Day theme, "The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One."
The winners of the 2025 Law Day Art Contest are Elise Kwon, Wendy Coleman and Zoe Allen. Congratulations to all the winners!
Elise Kwon’s artwork is entitled “E Pluribus Unum – A Tapestry of Democracy” – 1st Place Winner, Rockland County, 9th JD.
Artist's Description:
My artwork is inspired by the idea that America is a nation woven together by its people, laws, and shared responsibilities. I used to have a quilt from when was younger that was woven together by my grandparents and had lots of different types of fabric from my childhood (old clothes, blankets...). That's where I got the idea to create a quilt, showing how in America there are different communities, beliefs, and civic duties that come together to form our country (just like how individual and unique fabric patches come together to form a cohesive design). Each section of the quilt represents a part of our democracy. For example, there are patches to represent our government, civic engagement, our rights, justice, and national unity - depicting the Constitution's promise of how there is 'Out of Many, One.' Every stitch in a quilt holds meaning and keeps the entire piece together, which is why different people from a variety of backgrounds/identities are working together to stitch the quilt. This is meant to show that every person's role in democracy matters and that despite our individual differences, we remain as one nation.
Wendy Coleman’s artwork is entitled “United We Stand” – 2nd Place Winner, Schuyler County, 6th JD.
Artist's Description:
My artwork is inspired by how although each of us are unique and from different cultural backgrounds, religions and ethnicities, we are all united as one people under the constitution and are brought together to embrace our individuality and live among each other united under one nation and one dream.
Zoe Allen’s artwork is entitled “Unity” – 3rd Place Winner, Rensselaer County, 3rd JD.
Artist's Description:
Within the piece, 'Unity', a direct interpretation of the theme, 'Out of many, one' is shown. As the artist, this theme inspired me to use my friends, family, fellow classmates and teachers as a reference to create an illusion of an American flag as they all come together into one group. This interpretation speaks to the notion that all of these New York citizens and American individuals have options out of many nations as to where they would like to live and grow. Everyone depicted within the painting has chosen America, and on a smaller scale, New York, for this important decision. This work also serves as an example of the vibrant community my family, school and state has created, and the honor that comes with being part of this community.
View a presentation of the 2025 Law Day Art Contest submissions that satisfied the contest rules.
