The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards 2025
The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards 2025 (referred to as the 2026 finalist exhibition in source materials) showcases the work of eight finalists selected from artists across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Organized by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, this annual competition highlights contemporary art in various media, including assemblages, collages, video, fiber arts, and sculpture. The exhibition runs from September 3 through September 27, 2026, at Gallery B in downtown Bethesda, with an opening reception on September 4. The 2026 finalists—Cindy Cheng, Diana Derby, Ayana Gordon, Leslie Holt, Madyha Leghari, Anne Rogers, Tony Shore, and Ciarra K. Walters—bring diverse practices ranging from jewelry and narrative painting to analog photography and mixed-media memory work. A jury of three arts professionals selected the finalists and will determine the prize winner.
When: September 3 through September 27, 2026
Showtimes: Gallery B is open Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tickets: Admission is free; no ticket information is provided
Lineup: Finalists include Cindy Cheng (jeweler and sculptor), Diana Derby (narrative painter), Ayana Gordon (analog photographer and multimedia artist), Leslie Holt (mixed-media artist exploring memory), Madyha Leghari (artist examining language and the body), Anne Rogers (artist working with unusual materials like seaweed), Tony Shore (painter and Sondheim Prize winner), and Ciarra K. Walters (multimedia artist honored with multiple grants)
Run time: The exhibition is on view for approximately three and a half weeks
Ages: No age restrictions are specified; the event is likely suitable for all ages
Venue: Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, Bethesda, Maryland, located two blocks from the Bethesda Metro station with public parking available on Woodmont Avenue
Note: The Trawick Prize was founded in 2003 by Carol Trawick, who continues to chair the awards through the Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation. The 2026 jury consists of Mollye Bendell (Assistant Professor of Art at University of Maryland), Alanna Fields (photography lecturer at Howard University), and Michael Jones McKean (Associate Professor of Sculpture + Extended Media at Virginia Commonwealth University)