THE WINNING ARTWORK IN THE ADULT CATEGORY: ‘AHMAD JAMAL’S DREAM’ BY LEE PRICE | PHOTOS COURTESY PITTSBURGH MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH

If you’ve been wondering what a Just Pittsburgh looks like, you’ll have a chance to see it at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in February. 

Running from Feb 2-29, the winning artwork will be showcased from their Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh series at the museum’s Foster Overlook (the mezzanine level that overlooks the “Dinosaurs in Their Time” exhibit). Additional pieces will be shown at the museum as well as the Hillman Library and three Carnegie Library branches (Oakland, Hazelwood and Hill District). 

Starting in June 2023, the project was developed as a collaboration among the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, 1Hood Media and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center to call for diverse artwork that asks what a more equitable Pittsburgh looks like.

At the time, Ron Idoko, founding director of the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute at Pitt, said the growing attention on racial injustices in Pittsburgh inspired the initiative.

“We’ve seen reports that indicate we have some of the worst racial disparities in the country,” Idoko said. “So what we wanted to think about is how do we begin to turn the tide? And how do we create an inclusive space for people to envision what an equitable Pittsburgh looks like?”

The initiative received more than 120 submissions. 

SECOND PLACE WINNER: A WORLD RECONCILED” BY IFEOMA

The submissions are separated into six categories across visual, literary, performance and interdisciplinary art. There are also two sections for youth visual and literary submissions. Adult first and second-place winners receive $2,000 and $275, while youth submissions receive $500 and $200 respectively.

The first-place adult winner was “Ahmad Jamal’s Dream” by Lee Price and second place, “A World Reconciled” by Ifeoma.

In addition, winners are eligible for an Artist in Residence program hosted by the Carnegie Library. 

“We recognize that our endeavors to cultivate a just and equitable city must be more intentional, intersectional, and reflective of our evolving society, and this call for art represents the thirst for change that exists among Pittsburgh’s creative community,” said Gina Winstead, vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.