photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Nikkolas Smith, author of "The Artivist," tells the backstory of one his concept paintings of Martin Luther King Jr. during his keynote speech at the "One Dream Celebration" on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at the Lied Center.

More than 60 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out about injustice with his words at the March on Washington — and on Thursday night, a different kind of activist spoke in Lawrence about how to carry on that legacy with art.

Nikkolas Smith, the bestselling author of “The Artivist,” spoke to a crowd at the Lied Center on Thursday as part of the Lawrence school district’s annual “One Dream” MLK celebration. Smith spoke about his passion for activism and how he uses his artwork to send a message about injustice and inequality.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Keynote speaker Nikkolas Smith, abest-selling author of “The Artivist,” speaks to the audience at Lied Center during the Lawrence school district’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. One Dream Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

“It is important to tell people about inequality and voting rights,” Smith said. “We also need to look at communities that might not have clean water or all the fresh fruits and vegetables, and how can we make art to tell people about these issues?”

The celebration also featured student performances, and several students, staff and community partners were honored with the district’s “Keeper of the Dream Award” for their work to advance King’s ideals.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Lawrence school district students perform a dance routine during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. One Dream Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at the Lied Center.

Lawrence school district Superintendent Anthony Lewis also spoke at the event and said that King’s “life and death must not be in vain.”

“Even though Dr. King was dreaming, he was wide awake,” Lewis said. “My question to you is, are you awake? … We inherited this mission. So I ask you, and I ask myself — do we understand the assignment?”

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

Artist Nikkolas Smith signs a copy of his children’s picture book “The Artivist” on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Smith was the keynote speaker for Lawrence school district’s annual “One Dream Celebration” at the Lied Center.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

West Middle School student Owen Gillum places a cutout leaf containing a wish on the “Dream Tree” prior to the start of the district’s Martin Luther King Jr.-themed One Dream Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 18,, 2024, at Lied Center.