NEWSLETTER
Rochester, NY (August 30, 2026) — The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester (MAG) is pleased to announce the award winners from the 2026 M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival. The annual festival took place Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, bringing nearly 400 regional artists and thousands of visitors together to celebrate art, creativity, and community.
2026 Merit Award Winners
- Emmanuel Okechukwu (Emmanuel Okechukwu ceramics)
- Sheryl Oyong and Nicole Rowley (Black Creek Textiles)
- James Skvarch (James Skvarch Etchings)
First-Time Exhibitor Award Winner
- Zoe Pruitt (Zoe Draws)
Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence Winners
- Asa Farnham
- Wanying Liang (Liang Ceramic Studio)
About the Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence
The Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence celebrates artists and makers across all media from Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western/Central New York and honors Sheppard’s lasting impact on the region’s creative community. Sponsored by Joy Gallery and Studio and local arts supporter Richard A. Glaser, the award was open to all artists participating in the M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival.
About the Judges
The 2026 M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival awards were selected by a distinguished panel of artists, designers, curators, educators, and arts professionals from the Rochester community and beyond: Annalisa Barron, Kelly Cheatle, Lizz deSimone, Shawn Dunwoody, Grant Holcomb, Mindy Magyar, Larry Moss, Valerie O’Hara, Rob Rogalski, and Jerry Sparmann.
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About the Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery showcases art from antiquity to the present day, including the outdoor public Centennial Sculpture Park. In addition to its permanent collection, MAG offers a year-round schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, after-hours social events, and family activities. Learn more at mag.rochester.edu
Press contact: Paige Engard, Marketing & PR Specialist: 585-474-7695 / pengard@mag.rochester.edu
Photos: The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester (MAG) is pleased to announce the award winners from the 2026 M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival.