Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University is proud to present the 2026 Neddy Artist Award Exhibition, Agents of Change. The exhibition features the work of eight artists from the Puget Sound region in both painting and open medium. This year’s exhibition features work from Fumi Amano, Dana Blume, Jo Cosme, Francesca Lohmann, Sangram Majumdar, Cristina Martinez, ralph salazar, and Lila Thomas – curated by Ellen Ito.

Exhibition Statement

Through their individual explorations of unfixed narratives, these eight artists actively position their practices and themselves as agents of change. They initiate transformation by challenging the status quo, each fostering innovative ways of thinking, operating, seeing, and feeling. These artists, with disparate practices and ways of embodying change, thrive both individually and collectively, their shared resilience creating a powerful narrative of progress.

Crowds peer at each other as a drawing reaches for the ceiling
Taffy makes a languorous escape
A monolithic hunk of styrofoam asks you to look deeply, breathe, and listen.
Layers of color build visual sanctuaries of warmth and calm
An enormous womb patiently awaits your return
Portraits hold space and share energy
An arcade favorite wants to remind you of the impact of extractive tourism
Crestfallen soft creatures consider their options
Expressing themselves through painting, sculpture, performance, and installation, these
artists/agents engage in restorative labor:
Raising awareness about the ongoing harms of imperialism,
delving into the art historical canon to reconfigure meaning,
formally subverting fixed cultural and aesthetic norms, activating
temporal relationships with materials, and centering care.

Opening Reception
June 3rd, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

On View
June 3rd – Sept. 12th, 2026

Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Saturday – 12pm – 5pm

About the Neddy

The Neddy Artist Award is one of the most generous and longest-running awards for visual artists in the State of Washington, now providing two awards of $30,000, and six of $3,000, to artists living and working in the Puget Sound region.

Our program began in 1996 and is funded by the Behnke Foundation as a tribute to the life and work of Seattle painter and teacher Robert E. [Ned] Behnke (1948-1989). In 2011, Cornish College of the Arts gained stewardship of the Neddy, and we are thrilled to now be entering our thirtieth year as a part of Seattle University!

Header image artwork by Dana Blume. Too Slow for Friends or Glory, 2025 Oil on canvas. Photo by Dominic Nieri.