Since 2023, Baltimore City students have been invited to participate in Mayor Scott’s Black
History Month Student Art Contest and Exhibition. In commemoration of Black History Month, students are encouraged to submit original artwork—paintings, drawings, photography, digital art, or mixed media—celebrating the contributions of Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers. This year over 125 pieces of art were submitted. The Mayor and First Lady selected 25 finalists who were honored in an awards ceremony, and whose art was displayed at City Hall throughout the month of February. For the first time this year, the eight first prize-winning artworks are now on display at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
– Joe Tropea, Curator of Baltimore City Hall
“This contest matters because Black history is not just something we study; it’s something we experience and carry with us. This exhibit honors the creativity of Baltimore’s young people, who are writing their own history for our city each and every day.” — Mayor Brandon M. Scott
Participants:
1) First place pre-K – elementary school
Haiden Hunt, grade 5, Baltimore International Academy West
Untitled (drawing, Let My People Go)
2) First place middle school
Fiona Parish, grade 6, Baltimore Design School
“POWER” (portrait of Amy Sherald, painting)
3) First place painting
Joshua Turner, grade 12, Gilman School
“More Time”
4) First place drawing
Ju’Wonte Jenkins, grade 11, ConneXions, A Community Based Arts School
“Freedom Father of Maryland” (drawing of F.Douglass, framed)
5) First place mixed media
Zoe Lashley, grade 11, Baltimore City College
“The Fist of Hope” (repousse)
6) First place photography or digital media
Makaya Evans, grade 11, Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts
“Mother and Child” (digital media, framed)
7) First place pastel
Nyjae Queen, grade 7, Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School
“Lady Sings the Blues” (framed)
8) First place collaborative work
Mileidy Flores, grade 7; Genesis Duran Medrano grade 7; Ester Pelaez grade 8; Hailey Villacorta grade 8; Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #215
“Lamar Jackson” (mural)
Acknowledgements:
Mayor Brandon M. Scott, First Lady Hanna Scott, Dr. Debra Brooks, Joe Tropea, Morgan Martin, Kristina Gilcrest, Ty-Ron Rice, Rena Gomez-Agaton, Chadrick Shoales, Latease Lashley, Michelle Turner, James Parish, Jessica Choi-Murdock, Monica Heiser, Harris Waltuck, Steven Gordon, R. Bennett.