"Agents of Change" Opening Reception

Opening Reception: Jun 3 from 6-9pm
Exhibition Run: Jun 3-Sep 12, 2026

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.

“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.” – Ellen Ito

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.