The Art of Racing, inaugurated last year as a partnership between 1/ST, the Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), today launched its 2023 program. This year, the call for entries has been expanded to artists nationwide, and beginning today, artists can submit their entries to www.preakness.com/the-art-of-racing. Submissions will be accepted through March 10th.
This unique art competition commemorates the second jewel of the Triple Crown Series and its impact on Baltimore, as artists are invited to create and submit original, two-dimensional visual art depicting the unique elements of Thoroughbred horse racing and the Preakness Stakes. Last year’s program drew nearly 150 entries and included an open voting phase, during which the public was invited to visit www.preakness.com/the-art-of-racing to cast their vote for their favorite work of art.
From March 13th through March 27th visitors to The Art of Racing website can cast their votes. The top 10 vote-getters will then be entered into the finalist category, with the winning piece selected by an esteemed panel of judges representing the artistic, business, philanthropic and political communities that provide support to Park Heights as the home of Preakness 148.
The winning artist of the second-annual competition will be awarded a $4,000 stipend and two tickets to Preakness 148 on May 20th, 2023. In addition, their work will be reproduced on a curated collection of Preakness 148 merchandise that will be available for purchase online and onsite during Preakness weekend. Proceeds from merchandise sales will, once again, be directed to the Park Heights Renaissance, a non-profit organization pursuing employment opportunities and affordable housing for Park Heights residents.
1/ST and the Park Heights Renaissance have an ongoing partnership to raise awareness of Park Heights’ storied culture. The Art of Racing is among a series of initiatives between 1/ST and the Park Heights Renaissance that includes the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the George E. Mitchell Park Heights Community Fellowship Grant. As an extension of the late community advocate George E. Mitchell’s legacy, The Art of Racing recognizes and honors individuals who demonstrate a similarly remarkable commitment to the Park Heights community.
“The artwork featured during last year’s inaugural competition was exceptional,” said David Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, 1/ST. “Artists shared their interpretations of the thrill of victory, the heartbreak of defeat and the vibrant crowds of Thoroughbred horse racing fans coalescing each unforgettable year in the Preakness Stakes.”
The winner of last year’s competition was Theresia Zhang, a MICA student, whose original illustration titled “Speed” was selected from among the 147 total submissions.
Beginning in the 1970s, the partnership between MICA and the Preakness Stakes was revitalized by The Art of Racing. A nod to the seven murals created by then-MICA professor Raoul Middleman and his students that live in perpetuity behind Pimlico Race Course’s grandstand, the competition honors a tradition forged by both Maryland-based institutions defined by history, scholarship and character.
“I imagine that Raoul Middleman would have been thrilled to see a MICA student win the competition in its inaugural year,” said Dr. Tiffany Holmes, MICA’s Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “Professor Middleman frequently introduced his students to site-specific artmaking, and The Art of Racing provides similar opportunities to new generations of artists and community members.”
For more information on The Art of Racing, please visit www.preakness.com/the-art-of-racing or follow @PreaknessStakes and #Preakness on social media.
About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the newly formed operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, GWS and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please visit www.1st.com.
About the Maryland Jockey Club
Established in 1743, the Maryland Jockey Club was founded over 30 years before the start of the Revolutionary War and is chartered as the oldest sporting organization in North America. Maryland’s “gem,” the Maryland Jockey Club is the premier sports and entertainment destination for world-class Thoroughbred horse racing between Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C. Maryland Jockey Club operates Pimlico Race Course – home of the world-famous Preakness Stakes – and Laurel Park Race Course. For more information, please visit www.marylandjockeyclub.com.
About MICA
Acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education, MICA is deliberately cultivating a new generation of artist – one that is capable of seamlessly integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and creative citizenship with contemporary approaches to art, design and media. MICA is redefining the role of the artists and designers as creative, solutions-oriented makers and thinkers who will drive social, cultural, and economic advancement for our future. As the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation, MICA is located in Baltimore, deeply connected to the community. It is a leading contributor to the creative economy regionally and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers. For more information, please visit www.MICA.edu.
