At a Glance
- Amon Carter Museum names 2026 Community Artists Holly D. Gray, Jack Hein, Elizabeth Maria Hudson, and Carolyn Marco.
- The initiative, launched in 2018, supports local artists yearlong to connect the community with the museum.
- Artists will collaborate with education staff on projects for all ages and abilities.
- Why it matters: They will shape how the museum engages North Texas for the year.
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art has announced its 2026 Carter Community Artists, a group of four local creators who will partner with the museum’s education team for a full year of programming and outreach.
Meet the 2026 Artists
Each artist brings a distinct medium and perspective.
- Holly D. Gray – multidisciplinary; photography and sculpture exploring caregiving, emotional labor, and memorialization.
- Jack Hein – ceramic artist; works on memory, displacement, and belonging shaped by his experience as a refugee from Myanmar.
- Elizabeth Maria Hudson – watercolor figurative painter; translates Black American folklore through a womanist lens of agency, liberation, and community care.
- Carolyn Marco – multidisciplinary; focuses on material transformation, sustainability, and creative connection using reclaimed materials.
How They’ll Engage the Community
Through lectures, workshops, student tours, and art-making activities, the artists will weave their work into the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
- Yearlong collaboration with education staff.
- Programs for audiences of all ages and abilities.
- Integration of artists’ distinct media into museum experiences.
Amanda Blake stated:
> “With each new class of Carter Community Artists, our collaborative possibilities expand.”
Amanda Blake added:
> “For 2026, we’re particularly excited to partner with artists whose work invites curiosity, sparks dialogue, and reflects the diverse experiences of our community.”
Amanda Blake concluded:
> “These artists will play an essential role in shaping how we share and celebrate American art in the year ahead, and we look forward to the experiences we create together.”
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Community Artists are Holly D. Gray, Jack Hein, Elizabeth Maria Hudson, and Carolyn Marco.
- They will partner yearlong with the museum’s education team to create inclusive programs.
- The initiative, started in 2018, aims to connect North Texas residents with the Carter’s collection.
The announcement marks another year of the Carter’s commitment to fostering local artistic talent and community engagement.
