Jillian Mayer

The artists go on an emotional journey when they must create an artwork inspired by how they survived or thrived during the global pandemic. The artists reflect on their experiences of grief, loss, family and joy in the most personal commission yet.

The artists create works that deal with justice and injustice, and explore what those themes mean to them; everyone scrambles to finish with only ten hours on the clock.

The artists have one last chance to impress the judges with a self-portrait. Three finalists are chosen to showcase their work at the Hirshhorn Ball, but only one will win the exhibit of a lifetime and $100,000.

The artists look back to their past works for inspiration as they create new works that explore their ideas about the future; guest judges include artist Abigail DeVille and former NFL player and art patron Keith Rivers.