Boston: Announcing the 2026 National Arts Program Award Winners

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Every year since 1982, the National Arts Program has partnered with more than 90 organizations across the country to create workplace exhibitions where the artistic expression of employees and their families is recognized. This year, the City of Boston presents its seventh edition of the program, featuring 80 works by employees from Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Libraries, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, various City of Boston offices, and their relatives.

Through these artworks, visitors are invited to reflect on Jenny Holzer's truism; "Everybody's work is equally important." This phrase, adopted as the guiding principle of the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, asks us to consider what we mean by work and to recognize that the labor of public service and the labor of creative expression are not separate endeavors, but expressions of the same commitment to contributing value to our city. In presenting the artistic practices of City employees and their families alongside one another, this exhibition affirms that creative work is not incidental to civic life, but integral to it.

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Thanks to support from the National Arts Program, this exhibit included prizes selected by an independent jury, which were awarded on September 10, 2026 at the gallery reception. Keep reading to see the winning artworks!

AdultS

Best in Show, Adults: George Gordon, We Who Would Bear Our Own Witness

1st Place, Professional: Isabella Frontado, Lo Que La Dictadura

2nd Place, Professional: Emily Rose Navarro, Dreaming through the pane

3rd Place, Professional: Ella Mackinson, Shocking Pink

1st Place, Intermediate: Hannah Avila, Regulars

2nd Place, Intermediate: Nora Lutz, We Left the Light On for You

3rd Place, Intermediate: Emma Tavolieri, Day at the MFA

1st Place, Amateur: Kenny Mascary, There's still Ink in the Well

2nd Place, Amateur: Geisel Dieguez, Blue Hills Brook

3rd Place, Amateur: Lucía Mendoza, The Self

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Teens/Youth

1st Place, Teen: Asher Vache, Triceratops Wedding

2nd Place, Teen: Karolina Zalcman, Lick at Your Own Risk

Best in Show, Youth: Avery Pingicer, I'm Cuckoo Bananas

1st Place, Youth: Joseph Papadeas, 4th Grade Nightmare

2nd Place, Youth: Ashley Carr, From The Heart

3rd Place, Youth: Harper Lee, Bob's Korean BBQ: I belong in Boston

A special thanks to our jurors:
  • Camila Bohan Insaurradle, Programs and Partnerships Manager at the Boston Art Review
  • Gabriella E. Melchiorri, Arts Program Coordinator at Harvard Ed Portal
  • Rixy, New England based interdisciplinary artist

Photos 6, 8-10, 12, 14, and 15 by Ally Schmaling (@allyschmalingphotography).
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