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Baltimore Artist Wins Prestigious National Award

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- She earned her master's degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art and now she's captures the top prize in a prestigious national art competition.

Ron Matz has more in this portrait of an artist who's making waves around the country.

Amy Sherald's oil on canvas painting features fellow Baltimore Krystal Mack. This former MICA student is hoping her work will challenge stereotypes.

"A lot of people are just asking to be seen as human beings," Sherald said.

Initially her mother encouraged her to become a doctor or lawyer not starving artist later she embraced her daughter's work.

"I know this is what I was born to do,' she said.

Sherald earned top prize in a prestigious national competition sponsored by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Sherald earned her masters degree in fine arts in painting at MICA and her prize for winning the Smithsonian competition -- $25,000.

An amazing personal achievement for Amy, who nearly died, a few years ago from congestive heart failure.

But after a heart transplant, she's thriving and pursing her passion.

In addition to the $25,000 top prize, Sherald also receives a commission to create a portrait of a living person fore the Smithsonian museum's permanent collection.

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