Art in Transit 2026 Celebrates Creativity, Community, and a Memorable Awards Reception
With smiles, applause, and plenty of admiration for the talent on display, this year’s Art in Transit came to a joyful close at the Awards Reception on Friday, May 29. The evening was a celebration not only of outstanding artwork, but of the creativity, community spirit, and shared purpose that continue to make Art in Transit such a special tradition.
Congratulations to this year’s winners: first place went to Bob Casazza for Bridge Party, second place to Gayle Merrill for The Oyster Gypsy, and third place to Linda Reichert for Surf’s Up. Honorable mentions were awarded to Brenda Sylvia for There When Needed – Smith Point Sea Rescue, Doug Mock for Poised and Ready, Susan Segrist for Unpathed Waters Undreamed Shores, and Sarah Marshall Elliott for The Rising Wing. Their work, along with every piece submitted this year, helped make Art in Transit vibrant, inspiring, and deeply meaningful.
Beyond the awards, Art in Transit continues to make a real difference in the community. Proceeds from the event help support scholarships at Rappahannock Community College for Bay Aging and Bay Transit frontline employees and their families, Bay Transit’s New Freedom Program, and art programming
through the RAL Art Center. In that way, every submission, sponsorship, and attendee helps create opportunities that reach far beyond the gallery walls.
A sincere thank-you goes to the sponsors who helped bring this year’s event to life. Their generosity made it possible to celebrate local artists in such a visible and meaningful way while also investing in education, transportation access, and community arts programming. This year’s sponsors included:
· Masterpiece: Towne Insurance
· Visionary: Sonny Merryman and Tri-River Investment Group of Davenport & Company
· Curator: Chesapeake Bank, RCC Educational Foundation, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
· Artisan: Northern Neck Rotary Club
· Patron: Katie Dew, IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate, and Patrick Stone, State Farm Insurance Agent
As another Art in Transit concludes, the lasting impression is one of gratitude for the artists, supporters, and everyone who believes that art can move people in more ways than one.
“Art in Transit is such a wonderful reminder of the creativity and generosity that exist across our community,” said Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging President and CEO. “Each year, this event brings people together to celebrate local artists while also supporting programs that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. We are grateful to RAL Art Center for their continued partnership and every artist, sponsor, and supporter who helped make this year’s event such a success.”
