In the News
December 20, 2022
The Ellene “Brit” Christiansen Memorial is excited to announce our third annual virtual art contest for artists with disabilities who reside in Maryland.
This year’s theme is “Express Yourself” and the three age categories are Elementary, Secondary, and Adult.
Deadline for submissions is February 20, 2023.
Email any questions and inquiries to [email protected]
June 23, 2022
Congratulations to the winners of our 2022 Contest for Artists with Disabilities "Emerge, Seek, Connect” in the Spirit of Ellene "Brit" Christiansen."
Winners by Category
ADULT
- First place - Alex Fitzgerald "The History of Disability Rights and Inclusion"
- Second place - Donald Wallis "Untitled"
- Third place - Nginou Nkongolo "Meditation"
SECONDARY
- First place - Taylor Diggs "Observational Portrait of Coretta Scott King"
- Second place - Lawrence Sapp "The Shift of Purpose"
- Third place- Mariyah Redman "Many Mariyah's"
ELEMENTARY
- First Place - Adleigh-Rose McDowell "Turtle Return"
- Second place - Shaher Ehsan "Firefly from the Jar"
- Third place - Jackson Bahr "Untitled"
December 12, 2021
The Ellene “Brit” Christiansen Memorial is excited to announce our second annual virtual art contest for artists with disabilities who reside in Maryland.
This year’s theme is “Emerge, Seek, Connect” and the three age categories are Elementary, High School, and Adult.
Deadline for submissions is February 21, 2022.
Email any questions and inquiries to [email protected]
April 13, 2021
Congratulations to the winners of our 2021 Contest for Artists with Disabilities-Art Created During the Pandemic-"OPTIMISM, RESILIENCE, HOPE," in the Spirit of Ellene "Brit" Christiansen."
Winners by Category
ADULT
- First place - Tyree Brown "Big Little Brother"
- Second place - Alex Fitzgerald "Exoskeleton"
- Third place - Tommy Roberts "Bird of Paradise"
HIGH SCHOOL
- First place - Michael Greaves "Counter from the Abyss"
- Second place - Kayla Burroughs "Take My Hand"
- Third place-Skylar Parr "Covid Winter"
ELEMENTARY
- First Place - Almass Ali "My First Day of Virtual Class"
- Second place - Shaher Ehsan "Fall Tree Reflection"
- Third place - Paolo Alvarez "Leaf Animals"
“Ellene loved children and loved sharing her enthusiasm and artistic abilities especially with children with disabilities. She felt it important for all children to create their own works of art and become inspired to think freely. The goal of this memorial is to continue Ellene’s dream of enabling young people with disabilities to think creatively and recognize their abilities—not their limitations.”
December 23, 2020
In our discussions as a board, we have been searching for ways to provide resources to artists of all ages with disabilities in Maryland during the pandemic.
We are very excited to announce our first Juried Art Contest for Artists with Disabilities-Art Created During the Pandemic-“OPTIMISM, RESILIENCE, HOPE,” in the Spirit of Ellene “Brit” Christiansen for artists age 5 and up.
Update: Jurors Added!
- Sara Egorin-Hooper
Retired Supervisor of The Alternate Maryland School Assessment, Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders & Programs for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities ages 3 thru 21 in Baltimore County Public Schools - Farrell Maddox
Retired Supervisor of Baltimore County Public School's Office of Visual Arts - First Lady Yumi Hogan
Artist and First Lady of the State of Maryland
October 16, 2020
Brit Board member and artist Dan Keplinger, King Gimp’s Public Private Conversations art display is on exhibit at Towson Town Center 4th floor near Starbucks.
Watch his video to learn more.
July 13, 2020
The Board is saddened to share the news that our Past President and dedicated disability rights advocate, Charles David Ward, died May 8, 2020.
A memorial service will be held on May 8, 2021, at 11:00am (email us for details). An obituary can be accessed in Baltimore Sun, Saturday, May 15, 2020.