We are thrilled to announce internationally acclaimed filmmaker and photographer María Alvarez (2014 Film) as winner of the 2026 YoungArts Jorge M. Pérez Award 🎉
María’s storytelling-based practice explores the intersection of memory and identity and questions how people preserve love, grief, and time. Rooted in collaboration and intuition, the Cuban-Dutch artist uses her image-making process as a means of translating emotional truth into tangible visuals.
“I aim to honor this recognition by pouring it back into my work — telling stories that honor memory, connection, and the communities that shape who I am.”
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@shotbymaria
“María centers the raw humanity of our shared experience through her work, using her practice to encourage introspection and dialogue while challenging the narratives we inherit about the world around us,” said Jorge M. Pérez, founder of
@perezfamilyfoundation . María will receive an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000 to advance her artistic endeavors. Learn more at the link in bio.
📸: Portrait of María Alvarez by Ethan Newmyer
