Exhibition Opens February 19 at August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

PITTSBURGH (January 13, 2026) – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), in collaboration with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh and 1Hood Media, is proud to announce the winners of the 3rd Annual Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Call for Art.

Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh invited artists from across the region to respond to the question: What if our beloved region worked for everyone? This year’s call centered on storytelling —examining whose stories are preserved, shared and elevated — and explored the power of libraries, archives and personal collections as tools for activism, education and social change.

“Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh asks a simple question: ‘What if our beloved region worked for everyone?’” said Kit Ayars, Director of the Center for Creativity at the University of Pittsburgh. “Creativity lets us dream the big answers and sketch out the seemingly impossible, and it’s the fuel that empowers us to roll up our sleeves and make the impossible a reality. Pitt is proud to be a part of this important work.”

Now in its third year, Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh is a regional Call for Art that uplifts artists whose work challenges audiences to imagine and work toward a more equitable future. The initiative awards more than $10,000 in prizes across categories including Writing for the Page, Visual Art, Performance, Video & Interdisciplinary and Youth Arts.

“As we celebrate another year of Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh, CLP is grateful for continued collaboration with our partners and the intentional offerings that each artist contributed in response to this year’s call,” said Deborah Rogers, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. “Through our upcoming events, we hope to foster meaningful engagement with the art and artists that strengthen and create practices that lead to equity and thriving for all.”

2026 Award Winners

First Place — Adult

  • Writing for the Page: Donovan Harrell (Artist Name: Donny), Colorful Forms: Side A
  • Visual Art: Alena Dergacheva (Artist Name: Alena D), Remembering
  • Performance: Blaire Crumbley (Artist Name: Blaire C), Is that Me I See
  • Video & Interdisciplinary: Iman (Nami) Bey (Artist Name: Nami Bey), Soul Search

Second Place — Adult

  • Writing for the Page: Dr. Sister IAsia Thomas (Artist Name: Sister I), Towards Root Cause Inquiry: Ongoing Dedications to the Equity Advisory Panel (EAP)
  • Visual Art: Ashley LaRocque, Pittsburgh 2018, Stronger than Hate
  • Performance: Geeta Shirvalkar (Artist Name: Gita (@DnB Magnets)), Embrace and Fly High
  • Video & Interdisciplinary: Lynn Bechtold & Cecilia Mandrile, Project Imaginaire (Robin)

First Place — Youth

  • Writing for the Page: Tatum Adams (Artist Name: Tatum), The Hill Remembers
  • Visual Art: Aliyah Terry, Where Change Begins
  • Video & Interdisciplinary: Olive Cramer, Hiding in the Tenderloin

Second Place — Youth

  • Writing for the Page: Andreas Wiezo (Artist Name: AJK Wiezorek), Joan of Arc & James Dean
  • Visual Art: Conor Coleman and ARYSE Youth 2025, Immigrants Make America

“Amid currents of uncertainty, this year’s Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh artists have shown extraordinary depth and vision,” said Gina Winstead, Vice President of Culture and Community at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “Transforming archives into powerful testaments of who we are and where we’re headed, their work shines as a beacon of hope—proving that we are not only resilient, but history in motion and the architects of a more just future.”

Exhibition & Event Details

Selected artwork will be on display at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) in Downtown Pittsburgh from February 19 through March 29. Winning Writing for the Page submissions will be exhibited in the Gallery @ Main at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main in Oakland from mid-February through the end of March.

The public is also invited to attend the Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Artist Showcase during AWAACC’s Intermission on February 19 from 6 – 10 pm at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

“Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh brings together powerful voices and creative visions from across our region,” said Janis Burley, President and CEO/Artistic Director of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. “We are honored to collaborate with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums, the University of Pittsburgh and 1Hood Media to uplift work that sparks dialogue, deepens understanding, and invites collective action toward a more just Pittsburgh.”

For more information, visit carnegielibrary.org.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

To Foster Literacy, Enable Exploration and Create Connections with All Our Neighbors.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh supports individual and collective achievement, access to knowledge, and a sense of joy and belonging. Through the community’s investment, the Library is enhancing the lives of people in the greater Pittsburgh region with dynamic and diverse resources such as creative learning programs for children and teens, job and career assistance for our community’s workforce, and free computer and Internet access for all. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh builds community, enables learning, provides access and values people.

CONTACT
Suzanne Thinnes
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