The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture will host an exhibition of works by 16 semifinalists for the 2026 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize, on view from May 21 through June 21. The show features a range of mediums including oil paintings, archival prints, video narratives, 3D sculptures, and multimedia installations. An opening reception on May 21 is free and open to the public. The five finalists—Thea Canlas, Leigh Davis, Brandon Donahue-Shipp, Curran Hatleberg, and Danni O’Brien—will exhibit separately at the Walters Art Museum from June 25 to September 13, with the $30,000 prize winner announced in August.
This exhibition matters because it marks the first official partnership between Artscape, Create Baltimore, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, expanding the festival's reach and placing the semifinalists' work within a major cultural institution. The Sondheim Art Prize, now in its 21st year, is one of the most prestigious accolades in the art world, and this collaboration reinforces Artscape's commitment to access, discovery, and elevating diverse artistic voices in the Baltimore region.