Chicago Artist Diana Solis Wins 3Arts Award

The veteran photographer and multidisciplinary artist earns recognition for her career in Chicago.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Photography

Flat gouache-painted illustration of a vintage camera lens and film roll, representing the artistic career of a photographer. — Chicago-based artist and photographer Diana Solis has been honored with a 3Arts Award, recognizing her decades of influence on the city's arts scene. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is the greatest value of an artistic award the professional doors it opens or community connection?

Photographer and educator Diana Solis has been honored with a 3Arts Award. The Chicago-based artist is being recognized for a career that spans decades of work across multiple mediums.

Why it matters

This award highlights the enduring influence of Solis, whose work documenting identity and culture has resonated across the city. Her creative journey reflects a commitment to artistic expression that continues to evolve well into her 70s.

Solis first took an interest in photography at age 11 and later graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BFA. After a long break to focus on painting, she returned to the lens in 2019 following the acquisition of a Nikon digital camera.

The players

Diana Solis

She is a Chicago-based photographer, multidisciplinary artist, and educator who was born in Monterrey, Mexico.

3Arts

This is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that supports artists through awards, project funding, and professional development.

The details

Solis was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and has navigated a long artistic path, including a residence in Mexico City starting in 1983. Upon returning to Chicago in the late 1990s, she eventually resumed her photography practice in 2019 to express her feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solis moved to Mexico City in 1983.
She returned to Chicago in the late 1990s.
The artist resumed her photography practice in 2019.
Her work was exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2025.
Her work is featured in the 2026 Chicano Camera Culture exhibition.

Culture Shift

This award reflects a broader societal trend of validating long-term artistic careers that bridge multiple disciplines and generations. By honoring artists like Solis, the cultural sector is increasingly recognizing the value of life-long practice over ephemeral viral success.

Local residents and art enthusiasts can engage with Solis' ongoing work through current exhibitions like the 2026 Chicano Camera Culture show. This recognition may also encourage aspiring photographers to explore techniques through resources like the digital tutorials that helped Solis revitalize her own practice.

The takeaway

Creative passions can be reignited at any stage of life with the right tools and a shift in perspective. Readers can draw inspiration from the artist's ability to pivot between painting and photography to find new modes of expression.