The Museum of the Aleutians is sponsoring an art contest focused on Benny Benson, the seventh-grade Unangax̂ boy who won the Alaska flag contest in 1927. Benny was a member of the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska. His mother, Tatiana, and her parents were born and raised in Unalaska. Similar to the 1927 contest, students in grades seven through twelve are eligible to enter. Students in public, private, and home schools in Alaska are eligible to enter. Art must include an image of Benny Benson when he was a seventh-grade student, at the age of 14. (In other words, not when he was age 45 like some public art displays in Alaska.)

Students may submit art in any medium of their choice, regardless of size. For example, they can be drawings or paintings on paper or canvas of any size. Sculptures of wood, clay, metal, or other solid material will be accepted. Art may be digital or three-dimensional, created on programs such as Blender 4.5, and may be animated. Entries must be submitted with eight high-resolution photographs (each at least 2MB and no more than 3MB). If the art is animation or video, entries must be in high resolution. Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used, but it must be clearly identified as such. More than one student may work on an art project, but they must be identified, and the prizes will be divided evenly. Students may earn more than one prize (for example, first, second, and third prizes, totaling $1,000). Students will retain copyright of their work, but must have a signed parental permission photograph release, which allows the Museum of the Aleutians to display their artwork and to share entries with the media and other outlets.

Contest winners will be announced June 9, 2026, at the Museum of the Aleutians. Awards will be presented on July 9, 2026, the 99-year anniversary of the raising of Benny Benson’s flag.

A free booklet titled “Benny Benson’s Hidden Unangax̂ Heritage” is available online as a free download at https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/12729. Additional images may be available at libraries, museums, or cultural centers. Benny won the flag contest against all odds when racism against Alaska Natives was hostile, as detailed in a new presentation titled Benny Benson versus the Ku Klux Klan: Alaska’s Seventh Grade Superhero, which is now available on YouTube.

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