Hagerstown Seeks Photographers to Capture the Essence of the City for 2026 Cultural Trail Exhibition

The Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District is inviting photographers of all skill levels to contribute to the upcoming “Faces of Hagerstown” exhibition, a significant outdoor photo mural gallery intended to update and enhance the Hagerstown Cultural Trail. This initiative aims to showcase the human element and authentic experiences of Hagerstown residents through large-scale, high-resolution black-and-white reproductions of selected photographs. The exhibition will be prominently displayed along the Cultural Trail, spanning from the West Antietam Street entrance plaza to Meritus Park, a key pedestrian thoroughfare for ballpark patrons. The new “Faces of Hagerstown” will replace the previous iteration of the display, which was installed in 2017.

A total of 26 photographs will be chosen for this public art project. Each selected image will be reproduced as a 36” x 36” square print, printed on ¾” PVC display panels, and exhibited for an extended period of several years. The project specifically seeks to celebrate individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds who live, work, or attend school within the City of Hagerstown. The selection committee is keen on reflecting the varied tapestry of the community, mirroring the diversity seen in the current 2017 exhibition. Photographers utilizing any type of equipment, including mobile phones, are encouraged to participate. To ensure broad representation, one-third of the chosen photographs will be selected from submissions by each of three distinct groups: students from Washington County schools, colleges, and universities; professional photographers and photojournalists, regardless of their geographic location; and photographers of any age and ability, also from anywhere.

Photographic submissions must be captured within a specific timeframe, commencing on December 22, 2025, and concluding on March 16, 2026. The final deadline for all photo submissions is March 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The primary and sole reward for selected photographers is the honor of having their work featured in this prominent public exhibition along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail. The selection process will consider several artistic and technical factors, with Creativity/Originality/Artistic Merit accounting for 20% of the evaluation, Technical Excellence at 20%, Composition at 20%, and Overall Impact carrying the most weight at 40%.

To submit work for consideration, photographers are required to upload several documents and files to a designated Dropbox link. These include a completed Submission Form and a Model Release Form. The photograph itself must feature the human face as the principal subject or focal point, with the overarching theme being the authentic Hagerstown experience. All submitted images will be displayed in black and white. The photographic capture period is strictly between December 22, 2025, and March 16, 2026. Digital files should be submitted in a square format, with a minimum resolution of 200 dpi, a minimum width of 7,200 pixels, and a maximum file size of 20 MB. Accepted file extensions are .jpg or .jpeg. Photographers must ensure all submission requirements are met via the provided link by the March 27, 2026 deadline.

The timeline for the 2026 “Faces of Hagerstown” project includes the press release announcing the project and call for photographers on December 22, 2025. The submission deadline is March 27, 2026, followed by a review period by the Public Art & Design Work Group concluding on March 31, 2026. Winning artists will be announced on April 10, 2026, with a press release detailing the installation and public unveiling. The complete installation is scheduled for May 1, 2026, which will also serve as the kick-off event for the Hagerfest Music & Art Festival. Those with questions regarding the project can direct their inquiries to Brittany Arizmendi via email at barizmendi@hagerstownmd.org.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from The City of Hagerstown Community Engagement Office

---