Martin Luther King Jr Day is a meaningful time to pause, reflect, and help children learn about one of the most important figures in American history. Through art, students can explore big ideas like kindness, fairness, courage, and standing up for what’s right in a way that feels creative and accessible.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of this day being widely recognized and taught through schools and community projects, making it a great moment to introduce thoughtful activities that combine history and creativity.
This Martin Luther King Jr art activity is designed to be open ended and student led. Kids can create their own backgrounds, choose a quote that speaks to them, and bring everything together with a bold silhouette of this American icon. The finished artwork works beautifully as wall art at home or school, and it’s a lovely way for students to connect with Martin Luther King’s words in a personal way.
Martin Luther King Jr Silhouette Art Project
One of the best things about this project is how flexible it is. There’s no single “right” way to do it. Students can experiment with color, texture, and materials to create a background that reflects their own ideas before adding their chosen silhouette and quote.
The background can be painted with watercolors, acrylic paint, or even poster paint. Some students love creating loose washes of color, while others might prefer bold brush strokes or layered patterns. Crayon resist works especially well here too. Drawing patterns or symbols with white crayon first and then painting over the top adds extra detail and makes each piece feel unique. Once the background is dry, the silhouette and quote can be cut out and pasted on, turning it into a strong MLK art print inspired by classic Martin Luther King portraits and posters.
What’s Included in the Free Printable Pack For Your Martin Luther King Art
We’ve put together a free printable pack to make this Martin Luther King Jr poster project easy to use at home or in the classroom.
Martin Luther King Jr Silhouettes
The pack includes two silhouette styles to suit different ages and skill levels. There is a simpler silhouette that’s perfect for younger students or quick projects, and a more detailed silhouette that older children may enjoy working with. Both options create a strong visual impact and are ideal for MLK art displays, history boards, or framed prints for the classroom wall.
Simple Martin Luther King Jr. Silhouette
More Detailed Martin Luther King Jr. Silhouette
Black and White Pictures of Martin Luther King Jr
These three included martin luther king pictures are featured from wikimedia commons under a creative commons license, so these martin luther king jr photos are fine to use if you prefer a realistic photograph look for your mlk painting project.
Photo 1
This photograph shows Martin Luther King Jr. speaking from a pulpit during the civil rights movement, a time when he traveled across the United States advocating for nonviolent protest and equal rights. Images like this capture him in his role as a powerful speaker and leader, using words to inspire change.
Photo 2
This image is from the mid-20th century when Martin Luther King Jr. was emerging as a national figure in the American civil rights movement. It reflects a more formal setting and is often used to represent his leadership, calm strength, and commitment to justice during key moments in history.
Photo 3
This is a well-known portrait of Martin Luther King Jr., commonly used in books, classrooms, and educational materials. Portraits like this help students connect with him as a real person behind the movement, highlighting his thoughtful expression and the dignity he brought to his work.
Martin Luther King Jr Quotes
The printable pack also includes a selection of famous Martin Luther King Jr quotes, laid out so students can cut and paste the one they like best. These quotes work beautifully as part of an art project, but students can also use them for discussion or reflection.
The quotes included across the two pages are:
- “I have a dream.”
- “The time is always right to do what is right.”
- “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
- “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
- “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
- “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
- “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
- “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
- “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
- “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
Students can also choose to skip the printed quotes entirely and use a Sharpie to handwrite a quote of their own choice, which is a lovely option for older kids who want to think more deeply about Martin Luther King’s message and make the artwork feel even more personal.
How to Make the Martin Luther King Jr Art Project
Follow the step by step instructions below to make your martin luther king jr. art work. This Martin Luther King Jr painting project is a lot of fun and the end results are something to be proud of.
How to make Martin Luther King Jr. Quote Artwork
A creative MLK art project where students design their own colorful backgrounds, then add a powerful quote and silhouette to create a meaningful piece of history-inspired artwork.
Materials
- Paper or cardstock for the background
- Paints
- Scissors
- Glue
Tools
- Printer for templates
Instructions
- Start by creating the background on thick paper or cardstock using paint, watercolor, or crayon resist techniques.
- Allow the background to fully dry before moving on to the next step.
- Print and cut out your chosen Martin Luther King Jr silhouette, selecting either the simple or detailed version, or one of the martin luther king jr images.
- Choose a quote from the printable pack or write your own quote by hand using a Sharpie or marker.
- Cut out the quote strip carefully.
- Arrange the silhouette or picture of martin luther king jr, and your chosen quote on the background until you’re happy with the layout.
- Glue everything in place and let it dry.
- Display the finished artwork on a wall, bulletin board, or as part of a Black History Month art collection.
Download the Martin Luther King Jr Painting Project Free Printable PDF
To make this project easy to get started, you can download the free printable PDF pack which includes Martin Luther King Jr silhouettes, martin luther king. jr pictures and quote pages. It’s ideal for classroom use, homeschool lessons, or a quiet art activity at home. Simply print, choose your pieces, and let students take the lead with their creativity.
Terms of use: Our Martin Luther King Jr art pack is free for personal use and classroom use.
A Thoughtful Way to Learn Through Art
This Martin Luther King Jr art activity gives students time to slow down, think, and create while learning about an important historical figure. By combining hands on art with powerful words, children are able to engage with Martin Luther King’s legacy in a meaningful way. Every finished piece looks different, which makes it perfect for group displays and classroom walls.
Examples of Finished Pictures
These examples show just how different each Martin Luther King Jr art project can look, even when everyone starts with the same silhouettes and quotes.
Some students choose bold, colorful watercolor backgrounds, while others prefer to add extra texture with brush strokes, layered paint, or crayon resist patterns.
The silhouettes and quotes really stand out once they’re cut and pasted on, turning each piece into a unique MLK art print that reflects the student’s own style and ideas.
If you try this project at home or in the classroom, we would love to see what you create. Come share your finished artwork in our Facebook group and inspire others with your ideas and creativity.
More Martin Luther King Jr Activities
If you’re looking to expand your collection of Martin Luther King Jr activities, projects, and printables, we have more ideas that explore his life, legacy, and message through age appropriate activities for students.
- Dr Martin Luther King Jr Color By Number
- Free Printable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheet for Kids
- Free Printable Martin Luther King Jr Coloring Sheets MLK Day
If you enjoyed this MLK pictures project, we’d love it if you shared the blog post with other parents and teachers who are looking for creative Black History Month ideas.
Black History Month Ideas for Kids
Black History Month is a great time to explore history, creativity, and conversations together. From art projects and famous figures to thoughtful discussions, there are lots of ways to help children learn and reflect throughout the month.
- Black History Month Watercolor Art Project
- 25 Black History Worksheets to Celebrate Iconic Figures
- Best Movies For Black History Month For Kids And Teens
- Black History Month Coloring Pages (Free Printables)
More Silhouette Art Projects
Silhouette art is a simple but powerful technique that works across many themes. If your students enjoyed this project, you might also like trying silhouette art with other historical figures, seasonal themes, or creative portraits using paint, collage, and mixed media.
If you found this Martin Luther King Jr art project helpful, please consider sharing it so others can discover it too.
