Edgar Reyes, Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Arts, is the winner of the 2026 CIRCA-IMET Artist-in-Residence Fellowship. Professor Reyes will use the funds and time to pursue Bloom, a project focused on Maryland’s legacy of maritime labor. The traditional labor of the bay is being redefined by land based aquaculture and environmental restoration. Through cyanotypes and screen printing he will reflect on the labor necessary to protect our coastal future. Professor Reyes will collaborate with researchers, lab technicians, and specialists at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) to develop a carbon neutral black ink created from algae waste. The series of prints will be inspired by the distinct species of birds, fish, and other aquatic life that migrate to the harbor and call it home. Reflecting on conservation efforts and the history that has shaped the harbor’s ecosystem and commerce. The project will culminate with an exhibition and public workshops where community members will use algae based ink to print posters advocating for a healthier and sustainable harbor for all to enjoy.
Edgar Reyes is a multimedia artist whose work invites viewers to think about the people, places, and connections they carry with them. His practice draws on the specifics of his own life, and reflections of shared experiences of resettlement and migration. Through his art making he explores his family’s Mexican and Indigenous roots. Reyes earned his MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has taught at nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, and museums. His work has been featured in galleries and public spaces across the United States.