Bethesda Painting Awards

Bethesda Painting Awards

Finalist Exhibition June 4 – June 28, 2026
Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E

The Bethesda Painting Awards, founded in 2005, is downtown Bethesda’s annual juried art competition that exclusively honors painters from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Eight artists have been selected by the panel of judges to exhibit their artwork June 2026 at Gallery B. There will be an opening reception Friday, June 12 from 6 – 8 pm.

2026 Finalists

Sally Bowring, Richmond, VA

A native New Yorker, Sally Bowring earned her first degree in textiles from the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by a Bachelor of Arts from Goddard College and a Master of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 1983. A longtime educator and arts advocate, she has taught painting at VCU and the Virginia Museum Studio School, where she also served as Interim Director of Administration for the Painting and Printmaking Department. Deeply engaged in the Richmond arts community, Bowring was an active member of 1708 Gallery in the 1980s and 1990s and now serves as an emeritus member, as well as on the Advisory Board of Studio Two Three. She has also held leadership roles with the City of Richmond’s public art initiatives, including Director of the 1% for Art Program, as well as Commissioner and Chair of the Public Art Commission.

Thomas Bunnell, Washington, DC

Thomas Bunnell earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Art History from the University of Oregon in 1995, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from American University in 1998. His work has been exhibited throughout the Washington, D.C. region, as well as nationally and internationally. In addition to his studio practice, Bunnell is an educator who teaches at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, and American University. He has previously held positions at institutions including the Phillips Collection, the Corcoran Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. He lives and works in Washington, DC, where his studio is located at 52 O Street, NW.

Elizabeth Coffey, Richmond, VA

Elizabeth Coffey’s artwork combines oil paint, lace fabric, and canvas to explore the tension between visibility and concealment in female identity. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in Graphic Design, a background that informs her approach to color, composition and surface. Her recent exhibitions include a 2025 solo presentation at IA&A at Hillyer in Washington, D.C., and a two-person exhibition at The Athenaeum in Alexandria, VA. She also has upcoming solo exhibitions at Brightpoint Community College in Richmond and Artspace in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her work has been featured in exhibitions such as the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial and ArtFields, and she has completed a residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

Julia Gould, Baltimore, MD

Julia Gould earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, with a minor in Printmaking, from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2022. Her work has been exhibited and recognized by organizations including the YoungArts Foundation, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Andrew Reed Gallery in Tribeca, T and Y Projects in Tokyo, and Vox Populi Gallery in Philadelphia, among others. She has received support from the National Society of Arts and Letters, the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, and New American Paintings. She has further developed her practice through programs such as the New York City Crit Club Canopy Program, Anderson Ranch Arts Center and the Chautauqua Institution.

Jeffrey Deane Hall, Richmond, VA

Jeffrey Deane Hall is an artist and educator known for his precise trompe l’oeil paintings layered with rich symbolism. He studied studio art, physics, and art history at the University of Richmond and earned his Master of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. Hall’s acclaimed “Edges” series—hyper realistic stacks of books—addresses themes of censorship, perception, and systems of knowledge. His work has appeared in New American Paintings, and for over 30 years, he has balanced his studio practice with teaching. He currently chairs the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in Richmond, VA.

Minh Trang Huynh, Richmond, VA

Minh Trang Huỳnh earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she received honors including the Creative Vision Award, the Starr Foundation Scholarship, and the Distinguished International Award. She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work has been presented in exhibitions including Artscape B24 in Baltimore and Asia in Maryland in Towson. Drawing from historical narratives and her experiences as part of the Vietnamese post war generation, Huỳnh explores themes of inherited trauma, colonialism, and healing through layered compositions that combine painting, printmaking, collage and photo transfer.

Monica Ikegwu, Baltimore, MD

Monica Ikegwu is a figurative painter whose work presents the human form through bold and unconventional use of color, texture and composition. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and personal experiences, she often depicts family members, particularly her siblings, as central subjects. Ikegwu has received numerous awards, including First Place in the XL Catlin Art Prize in 2018, recognition as a YoungArts Finalist in 2017, a Gold Medal in the NAACP ACT SO National Competition in 2016, and a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Silver Medal Portfolio distinction. She was also honored with the Young Artist Award, Bethesda Painting Awards 2020. She is currently pursuing her graduate studies in painting at Pratt Institute.

Kai Jones, Washington, DC

In his narrative paintings, Kai Jones re-imagines Black bodies in fantastical contexts. With his oils, the painter conjures vibrant, alternate realities, where human conflict is examined, intensified and exaggerated. Jones takes inspiration from his background in music and poetry, as well as his interest in social sciences. Currently working to earn his Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Rhode Island School of Design, Jones hopes to inform his paintings with the study of human societies, cultures and behaviors. His work has been featured in many student and group exhibitions.

Exhibition

The work of the finalists will be on exhibit June 2026 at Gallery B, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda.

June 4 – June 28, 2026
Thursday – Saturday, 12–5pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm
Opening Reception: Friday, June 12, 6-8pm

2026 Jury

Mira Hecht, Washington, DC

Corcoran College of Art and Design

Mira Hecht earned her Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute, a Bachelor of Arts from American University, and studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Her work is represented by Addison Ripley Fine Art in Washington, D.C., and Bond Millen Gallery in Richmond, VA. Hecht’s paintings are included in public and corporate collections such as George Washington University, the D.C. Art Bank, Microsoft and the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Her work has been exhibited nationally since 1998, including Art in the Embassies, and reviewed in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and ARTNews. She has taught painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, Washington Studio School, the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and currently teaches independently. Recent exhibitions include Light Works at ADA Art Gallery, Mirror of the Floating World at Addison Ripley Fine Art, and The DMV Collects the DMV at the Kreeger Museum.

Ernest Shaw, Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Being a native of West Baltimore has taught Ernest Shaw the meaning of perseverance, community, and integrity. As a product of Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore School for the Arts, Morgan State University and Howard University. He has been awarded several awards and residencies including, the Baker Artist Award, Yaddo Artsist Residency, Mass Moca Artist Residency, Vermont Artist Studio Residency and the Ruby Arts Award. His work has appeared in galleries including Creative Alliance, Motor House and Douglass-Isaac Myers Museum in Baltimore, MD and Washington Project of the Arts in Washington, D.C. Shaw has also painted several murals throughout Maryland and New York. Ernest has been an artist and educator for over 20 years and is currently teaching at Maryland Institute College of Art and Johns Hopkins University while pursuing a doctoral degree in philosophy, art theory, and aesthetics/metaphysics.

Hilary Wilder, Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Hilary Wilder is a visual artist who works primarily in painting, as well as in sculpture and installation. She received her Master of Fine Arts from Rutgers University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. Wilder is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, and two Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowships. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The Suburban in Illinois, the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Devin Borden Gallery in Houston, and in group exhibitions at institutions including the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. She has participated in residencies at the Ingmar Bergman Estate in Sweden, Cill Rialaig and Cow House Studios in Ireland, and SÍM in Iceland, as well as the Galveston Artist Residency and the Ucross Foundation in the U.S. Wilder teaches painting at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Founder & Chair

Founder, Carol Trawick

The Bethesda Painting Awards was established by Carol Trawick. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda. She is the Chair of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, Past Chair of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and founder of The Trawick Prize. Additionally, Ms. Trawick was Chair of the Glen Echo Park Implementation Committee, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Parks Foundation and is a member of the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club. She is a past recipient of the Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award, the YMCA Community Service Award, the Rotary Public Service Award and the American Association of University Women Service Award. Additionally, the Jim & Carol Trawick Foundation was established in 2007 after the Trawick’s sold their successful information technology company. 

Chair, Catriona Fraser

Catriona Fraser, award-winning photographer, curator and juror is the non-voting Chair of the Bethesda Painting Awards. Ms. Fraser she has orchestrated, organized, curated and juried more than 100 fine art exhibits, and remains active is supporting the careers of emerging artists. Ms. Fraser also serves as Chair of The Trawick Prize and Director of the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival.

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