The award for Second Place and recipient of the $1,500 prize in round two of the inaugural, 2026 Capital Square Prize, goes to Oscar Campos-Valle (B.F.A. ’25), a mixed-media artist and first-generation Hispanic American with family roots in El Salvador.
Oscar Campos-Valle (B.F.A. ’25) won second prize as a part of the Capital Square Prize, round two, juried exhibition. The Capital Prize, made possible through a partnership between VCUarts and Capital Square, presents an opportunity for Painting and Printmaking alumni to showcase their work within the Capital Square’s new Chasen building in Scott’s Addition. The Capital Prize exhibitions, featuring the work of prize finalists, celebrate the creative legacy of the building as the historic home of N. Chasen & Son paint company as it is transformed into Chasen, a vibrant new residential development bridging Richmond’s artistic past and future.
Artist Biogaphy
Oscar Campos-Valle (B.F.A. ’25) is a mixed-media artist and first-generation Hispanic American with family roots in El Salvador. His work is deeply shaped by personal experiences and cultural heritage. He explores the connections between 2-D and 3-D art forms, often blending materials and techniques to create layered visual stories. Recently, his practice has shifted to focus on self discovery, mental health and what it means to grow up between cultures, reflecting on navigating multiple worlds and personal identity.