The canvases have been judged, and the winner crowned in the "Art of Racing" competition, linked intrinsically with the annual spectacle of the Preakness Stakes. Steve Luhn, an artist hailing from Baltimore, took the top honors with his dynamic piece, "Winning Colors," standing out among a historic field of over 250 submissions, the highest in the contest’s four-year run, according to Bloodhorse. The announcement occurred at Baltimore City Hall, lighting up the local art scene with a ceremony attended by Mayor Brandon Scott and other prominent figures.
Luhn's artwork, which was set to feature on Preakness 150 merchandise, is not just a splash of creative triumph but a boon for the Park Heights community, as proceeds from the sales are destined to aid in the development of affordable housing and job opportunities in the area, an initiative that Mayor Scott, a strong advocate from Park Heights, pointed out represents a turning point in its recent history, WMAR2News reported, "When you see places that most in my lifetime which were vacant houses or places where I lost friends or know people that were shot, and now you can new developments taking front, and that's what we want to see."
In celebration of the Preakness 150, the contest, spearheaded by 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club, opened a digital gallery for public voting from March 15 to March 28, narrowing the field to ten finalists based on popular vote before handing over to the panel of judges. "My representation of horse racing captures the dynamic energy and excitement of the sport," Luhn described his winning entry in a statement detailed by Baltimore Fishbowl, noting the bold colors and sense of motion he aimed to imbue in his depiction of the gallop and competition.
For his creative efforts, Luhn was awarded a $4,000 prize and two VIP tickets for the upcoming Preakness 150 on May 17, where fans of the equestrian sport, and now the arts, will be able to glimpse the winning artwork displayed on a variety of merchandise, the sales of which, as previously mentioned, support the Park Heights Renaissance’s mission, Audra Madison, Director of Marketing at The Maryland Jockey Club, explained, noting this year's "significant milestone for submissions and voting" as it marked greater engagement than ever before, in coverage by Baltimore Fishbowl.
More information about "The Art of Racing" can be found on the official Preakness website or by following related social media accounts.
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