In preparation for one of Baltimore’s most prominent sporting and cultural events, local elected officials, community leaders and thoroughbred racing executives assembled in downtown’s City Hall to announce the winner of the esteemed “The Art of Racing” competition on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The nationwide art competition, now in its fourth year, celebrates the overall uniqueness of the Preakness Stakes and Thoroughbred horse racing – components embedded in Baltimore’s DNA that hold historical significance in the region and beyond.
During a brief honorary ceremony that attracted Mayor Brandon Scott, city council members, Park Heights Renaissance members, and officials from the Maryland Jockey Club, Inc. and 1/ST Racing, Maryland Jockey Club marketing director Audra Madison announced the winner: Steve Luhn.
Luhn’s artwork, titled “Winning Colors,” reflects the essence, spirit and dynamism of the Preakness Stakes, a fixture in Baltimore City that dates back more than 150 years. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native used Adobe software to produce the graphic design piece that illustrates a jockey straddling a horse, intently fixed upon the finish line.
The artwork uses distinct cuts, colors and features to accentuate the face of the horse, the body language of the jockey and even the dirt on the race track. “The Art of Racing” is inscribed atop the artwork with colors that correspond perfectly with the horse and jockey.
Luhn said he drew inspiration from other artists, the historical legacy of the Preakness and the desire to tell a story. He was beyond elated to be named winner of the competitive Art of Racing contest.
“It just means everything. I’ve never had anything of this magnitude in any of the work I’ve ever done, and to be recognized for this… really is just hard to imagine. I’m just so thrilled,” said Luhn, a retired graphic designer.
“My representation of horse racing captures the dynamic energy and excitement of the sport. Bold, vibrant colors and striking visual elements convey the intensity of the race, with the horse mid-gallop, jockey leaning forward, creating a sense of speed and competition.”
Luhn said he plans to attend Preakness 150 next month. His winning artwork will be displayed throughout Preakness Weekend, reproduced on a curated collection of Preakness-branded merchandise that will be on sale on the Preakness website and in person.
The Maryland Jockey Club will inform the public once the merchandise becomes available, as Madison estimated the artwork will be online within the next three weeks.
To culminate the ceremony, Luhn received a $4,000 check and won two VIP tickets to Preakness 150. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise will go toward “advancing the activities of Park Heights Renaissance as it pursues affordable housing for families and provides employment opportunities to people of Park Heights.”
This year’s Art of Racing competition garnered a record number 271 submissions. Out of those entries, 10 finalists were voted on by the public. Some of the finalists attended the ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
A panel of judges, which included horse-racing industry leaders, politicians and hospitality executives, selected the winner.
“The platform given to artists, both amateur and professional, who have entered The Art of Racing competition over the past four years highlights the vibrance and legacy of The Preakness Stakes, especially as we celebrate the historic moment of Preakness 150. This year marks a significant milestone for submissions and voting, as we see greater engagement than ever before,” Madison said.
“It brings me joy to see the diverse array of artwork entered into the competition each year, and I hope the community feels the same sense of celebration and pride as we support and uplift our local talent during this remarkable year.”
The ongoing partnership between 1/ST, The Maryland Jockey Club and the Park Heights Renaissance also includes the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the George E. Mitchell Park Heights Community Fellowship Grant, both of which honor the extraordinary legacy of the late community leader and activist. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and fellowship grant also recognizes individuals who share a strong commitment to their communities.
“We know this year’s contest is extra special because it’s the 150th Preakness Stakes,” said Scott, a Park Heights native and lifetime supporter of Preakness.
“This contest is always special to me because I remember when we used to have a different kind of art contest. It used to be that the Preakness art contest was just pictures and things drawn by young people from elementary schools in Park Heights. To now see the elevation of the art contest with these fabulous artists is a great thing.”
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown Series, is scheduled for May 17, 2025.
