Art students created their own art based on the testimonies of Holocaust survivors as the “Messengers of Memory”.

Mandated by the school district, the 19th annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest is held by Chapman University, the USC Shoah Foundation, and has separate themes each year regarding the Holocaust. This year, the theme was “Messenger of Memory,” saying that through the testimonies of the survivors of the Holocaust from the Nazis in World War II, we can become “witnesses” to their experiences by listening and understanding the prevalent choices and emotions they made.

Art teacher Lynn Magnin had all five periods she teaches do the contest. Students were told during December to find a survivor’s testimony, listen to it, and decide on how to best present their story in a positive way. Hundreds of entries were turned in by Jan. 29, with Magnin choosing four talented artists to represent the school; Junior Ilsa Bauer, with her “Moments of Humanity”, Tess Nalezny’s “Shh…”, Senior Lauren Nichols’s “Are You Sure You’re 100% Jewish?” and Senior Trinity Lovelace’s “Help is on the Way”.

“History is bound to repeat itself, as seen in the news,” Magnin said, “we see evidence in the injustice done.”

From the ghetto to labor camps to Auschwitz, Hela Shapow survived by “understanding how horrible it was and knowing she had to be strong,” Bauer said.

“Doing whatever work the Nazis said would let her and her friends survive,” said Ilsa. “I tried to portray the girl’s companionship against a cold industrial landscape.”

“The focus was their support and joy together that got them through their horrible experiences.”

“Shh…,” an acrylic message of Dana Shwartz, artist Nalezny wished to communicate a “love always surrounding her and keeping her safe,” with family being there for both. Despite having to keep quiet during Nazi occupation, she is surrounded by those that reach out to her in love.

Nichols’s entry, an oil paint named “Are You Sure You’re 100% Jewish?” was based on Angelina D. Billaur, a blonde haired, blue eyed Jew who received special treatment for looking Aryan. Nichols’s connection with Billaur was her similar features but also desire to be seen as equal towards others.

A major focus was made on Billaur’s eyes, taking inspiration from Margaret Keane’s “Big Eyes”.

Lovelace, who is part of Art Projects in third period, said she enjoyed the contest. Her entry, based on the testimony of Joseph Alexander, resonated with her and hard situations.

“He was stuck underground for three days as Nazis killed his family,” she said. “The guy reaching out was the soldier saving him.”

Made with acrylic paint, the entry is from the point of view of Alexander while being rescued by the soldiers rescuing him. Taking two weeks to make the piece, Lovelace hoped to illustrate what it can be like to be between a rock and a hard place.

All students had done the contest previously, and found this years competition generally an amazing opportunity to remember the past and not forget the atrocities of WWII.

Entries will be judged based on content and style, such as demonstrating insight and personal reflection, historical imagery and original graphics, and creative representation of the theme. They have been sent in to Chapman University will be judged on Feb 20 for the chance to be amongst seven finalist amongst more than 12 countries.

“We’ve had finalist in the contest the past two years,” Magnin said. Students and teacher belief they have the talent to win.