Welcome to the 2026 Charles van Horne Art Award!
This award honors Charlie van Horne, a longtime Roothbert Board member, Treasurer, President, and great-nephew of Antonie van Horn Roothbert. Charlie was a financier, philosopher, and gifted artist who brought curiosity, compassion, and creativity to everything he touched. This award celebrates his legacy and enduring love for the arts.
This year, we received four submissions for the award. Please see the two submissions below. When you’re ready, vote for your favorite via the link below by October 31st. All voting is anonymous. Winners will receive $500, plus a featured spotlight on the Roothbert website!
Submissions
Submission 1: “Through the Lens”
Materials: APSC mirrorless camera
Artist’s Note: She's a 2025 Roothbert Fellow from East Africa, graduating with her MS in Global Health from Duke. I'm behind the lens, a 2026 Fellow, from same region, same program, a year behind her. Through the lens, i don't just see a graduation photo, rather a baton pass. She goes now to make a difference, equipped and ready. And, i can see that the road she just walked, I'm about to walk too.. You don't have to see the whole road to walk it, you just need someone ahead of you who already has.
Submission 3: “In the Hands of My Teacher”
Materials: Charcoal on Paper
Artist’s Note: In the Hands of My Teacher is an offering to my mentor and one of the most influential people in my life, David Reid-Marr, an artist, teacher, and former monk. He taught me that art and spiritual practice can be one and the same, and that anything can be transmuted into a path toward freedom. Wisdom is gathered through lived experience and, perhaps most importantly, passed on. I am grateful to have received a small part of his wisdom and to carry it forward.
Submission 2: “Perfect Chaos”
Materials: Digital
Artist’s Note: In times of uncertainty, the universe reminds us that chaos is a part of the design. Crimson burnt, beauty revealed. The sunset of my hometown, Fort Ordinance, Canje, Guyana.
Submission 4: “Unawares
Materials: Paper collage, watercolor, gold-leaf
Artist’s Note: The hospital called me for a crisis case. A mother from an asylum shelter arrived with her four-year-old son after she was attacked by her partner. She was treated for her injuries; he and I sat on the floor, drawing in my notebook for hours. Parts of them are featured here.
The most humbling and holy of events found on the emergency room floor of a public hospital, cross legged, with a precious, anonymous child.
I hope he remembers nothing of that night. I will always remember him.
