The winner of “Preakness: The Art of Racing” art contest was revealed to be Leo Kahl, together with his authentic paintings entitled “First Turn.”
The nationwide art competitors celebrates the distinctive parts of The Preakness Stakes and Thoroughbred horse racing. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges, and the contest had lots of of submissions to think about.
The announcement got here at an honorary ceremony within the Brown Center on the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Tonya Miller Hall, Senior Advisor of Arts and Culture for the City of Baltimore, attended to signify Mayor Brandon Scott. MICA’s dignitaries additionally appeared, as did Park Height’s City Council representatives and 1/ST RACING management.
This is the third yr for “Preakness: The Art of Racing.” This yr, the contest was launched on Jan. 8 with a submission deadline of March 12. 1/ST RACING, the Maryland Jockey Club, and MICA joined to challenge a name for entries to artists nationwide. On March 12, the general public was capable of see the entries and vote for his or her favourite. The prime 10 works of art with essentially the most votes have been then judged by a panel that included elected officers, neighborhood leaders, and art professionals to decide on the winner.
“My goal was to seize the colours, pleasure and festive temper of Pimlico Race Course and The Preakness Stakes,” Kahl mentioned. “I selected the unfastened and romantic medium of watercolor to depict this scene because it greatest depicts the motion and drama of the day.”
Kahl will obtain a $4,000 prize and two VIP tickets to Preakness 149, which takes place on Saturday, May 18. His paintings will likely be reproduced on a curated assortment of Preakness 149 merchandise that will likely be accessible on the market on-line and onsite throughout Preakness weekend. Proceeds will likely be used to learn Park Heights Renaissance, which pursues reasonably priced housing for households and gives employment alternatives to the residents of Park Heights.
“The platform given to rising artists, each novice {and professional}, who’ve entered ‘Preakness: The Art of Racing’ competitors over the previous three years underscores the vibrancy of The Preakness Stakes and its distinctive cultural footprint,” mentioned Audra Madison, Director of Marketing for the Maryland Jockey Club. “It brings me pleasure to see the various array of paintings entered into the competitors annually, and I hope neighborhood members share the identical sense of celebration.”
In 2023, Justin Johnson received together with his submission of “The Face of Victory,” depicting the face of a horse head-on with Maryland state colours. A white Preakness trophy adorns the face, and yellow Black-Eyed Susan flowers (Maryland’s state flower) body the horse’s muzzle.
The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, held after the Kentucky Derby and earlier than the Belmont Stakes in New York. The Preakness was first run in 1873. It started two years earlier than the Kentucky Derby was run for the primary time.
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