Showcase of Resilience: Students Exhibit Powerful Holocaust Art
Last week, students at Cleveland Charter High School presented a deeply moving showcase of art inspired by the life and work of David Labkovski, a Russian-born Jewish artist who lived through the Holocaust. The exhibit was a culmination of a partnership with the David Labkovski Project (DLP), a project-based educational program dedicated to documenting Holocaust history through art.
The David Labkovski Project: A Unique Approach to History
Founded in 2016 by Leora Raikin, Labkovski’s great-niece, the DLP aims to move beyond traditional historical instruction. It encourages students to critically examine the past and harness their creativity to build a more just future. The program emphasizes that learning history isn’t just about dates and facts, but about understanding the human experience and fostering empathy. As Raikin notes, “Art is a universal language, and it is able to reach people in different ways. Project-based learning is one of the most impactful ways of learning, and learning through art is exceptionally powerful.”
A 10-Day Immersion in Art and History
The showcase at the Reseda exhibit featured original artwork created by 43 ninth-grade honors history students. The students participated in a 10-day learning program focused on Labkovski’s life and artistic style. The program began with an exploration of Labkovski’s art, focusing on artistic elements and techniques. Students then delved into his biography, learning about his experiences as a Jewish artist during one of history’s darkest periods.
Art as a Catalyst for Understanding
Inspired by Labkovski’s themes of memory and resilience, students created their own original artwork. On February 12th, they presented their pieces in an art-share, explaining the connection between their creations and the historical context they had studied. Jake Thomas, a senior and DLP student ambassador, explained, “I believe learning history through art is far more impactful than nearly any other method. Labkovski’s work has not only allowed me to bear witness to the Holocaust, but also to learn more about myself and my perspectives.”
Labkovski’s Legacy: Bearing Witness and Inspiring Hope
David Labkovski (1906-1991) primarily depicted scenes of Vilna, capturing the city’s beauty before the devastation of World War II and the persecution of its Jewish community. His style blends impressionism with contemporary techniques. He immigrated to Israel in 1958, completing his portfolio there. Notably, Labkovski refused to sell his work, wishing instead for it to be widely shared as a testament to the horrors of the Holocaust and a beacon of hope for a better future. Resa Nikol, the education director of DLP, emphasizes, “We work with students to document history through Labkovski’s art. Students think deeply and connect emotionally to his story — to remember what happened and continue to guard against antisemitism, and more broadly against hate.”
The Power of Empathy and Critical Thinking
Mayah Lunceford, the honors world history teacher at Cleveland High School, highlights the importance of empathy and critical thinking in today’s world. She believes the DLP program significantly supported her students in developing these crucial skills. “Students need to understand that these events happen to real people,” she stated.
A Traveling Exhibit with Global Reach
The DLP’s traveling exhibit, “Documenting History through Art,” serves as the foundation for student learning, reaching students from eighth grade through university level. Programs are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. This showcase of Labkovski’s work and the students’ responses is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the past to build a more compassionate and understanding future. Learn more about the David Labkovski Project and their mission at https://davidlabkovskiproject.org/.
Copyright 2026 Daily News. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.
