The Peale is thrilled to host the 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Semifinalists Exhibition.

Since 2006, the Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize, which is supported in part by the generosity of the Maryland State Arts Council, annually awards $30,000 to a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living and working in the Baltimore region. This year, five finalists will be selected for the final review for the prize and their work exhibited in the Walters Art Museum. 

The purpose of the Sondheim Art Prize, and the finalists’ exhibition, is to assist in furthering the careers of visual artists or visual artist collaborators living and working in the greater Baltimore region. The prize is named in honor of Janet & Walter Sondheim, both of whom were instrumental in furthering arts & culture in Baltimore City. Janet Sondheim danced with the pioneering Denishawn Dancers, a legendary dance troupe founded by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. Walter Sondheim, Jr. was one of Baltimore’s most important civic leaders for over 50 years. He was deeply involved in the development of Charles Center and the Inner Harbor and continued to be civically active until his death in 2007.

We would also like to humbly acknowledge our late Chief Operations Officer, Kim Domanski, who was instrumental in bringing this exhibition to The Peale and the Sondheim Prize itself to the people of Baltimore.