2026 Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards is a visual art prize produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District that honors artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The annual juried competition awards $14,000 in prize monies to selected artists and features the work of the finalists in a group exhibition.

Carol Trawick established The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards in 2003. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda. She is past Chair of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, past Chair of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and Founder of The Trawick Prize. Additionally, the Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation was established in 2007 after the Trawicks sold their successful information technology company.  

Awards Best in Show - $10,000 Second Place - $2,000 Third Place - $1,000 Young Artist* - $1,000 

*Young Artist whose birthday is after April 24, 1996 may be awarded this prize.  

The Jurors will select up to eight finalists who will be invited to display their work in a group exhibition at Gallery B in downtown Bethesda in September 2026. 

Judges 

The competition will be juried by Mollye Bendell, Asst. Professor of Art at University of Maryland; Alanna Fields, Professor of Photography at Howard University; and Michael Jones McKean, Professor of Sculpture and Extended Media Department at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Eligibility

• Artwork must have been completed within the last two years.
• Work must be available for the duration of the Awards exhibition in September 2026. Finalists must deliver and pick up artwork to and from Gallery B.
• Artists must be 18 years of age or older and permanent, full-time residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C.
• All original 2-D and 3-D fine art including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, fiber art, digital, mixed media and video will be accepted.
• The maximum dimensions should not exceed 96 inches in any direction.
• No reproductions.  All works on paper must be framed to full conservation standards.
• The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District will take 50% commission on pieces sold during the exhibit. Artwork is not required to be for sale at the exhibition.

Application

• Artists will submit images of five pieces of original work. 
• An alternative view of each piece is allowed. 
• Artists selected as a semi-finalist will be asked to submit more examples of recent work.
• Application closes Friday, April 24, 2026