Baltimore’s own Raquel Castedo has earned national recognition, taking home one of AIGA’s coveted 50 Books|50 Covers of 2025 awards. The American Institute of Graphic Arts praised Castedo’s design for the bilingual volume Shabtis Gather: Jackie Milad, a collaboration with fellow Baltimore artist Jackie Milad.
Local talent shines on a national stage
Castedo, a Brazilian‑born designer, researcher, and educator, moved to Baltimore to serve as a visiting scholar at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Today she works as creative director for BmoreArt and teaches publication design at MICA, bridging the city’s vibrant art community with the broader design world.
The award‑winning book showcases more than 150 images of Milad’s paintings, sculptures, and collages, presented in both English and Arabic. Essays by scholars Dr. Alice Stevenson, Dr. Fatma Ismail, and Heba Abd el‑Gawad explore themes of heritage, memory, and culture, while the design itself creates an intimate dialogue between artwork and reader.
What the jury saw
From a pool of 536 entries submitted by designers in 29 countries, the AIGA jury selected Castedo’s work for its thoughtful structure, typographic clarity, and material choices. The book will join the AIGA collection housed in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University’s Butler Library, ensuring that future researchers and students can study the piece for years to come.
“Jackie invited me into the project at its earliest stages, with a collection of artworks, research, and ideas,” Castedo said. “Together, we imagined a publication that could become an extension of her practice, carrying the same material thinking, intimacy, and layered storytelling into the hands of readers.”
Impact on Baltimore’s cultural scene
Both Castedo and Milad are active figures in Baltimore’s art world, with recent exhibitions at The Walters Art Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland. Their success highlights the city’s growing reputation as a hub for creative professionals who blend global perspectives with local roots.
For students at MICA and emerging designers across Maryland, Castedo’s achievement serves as a tangible example of how dedication to craft and community can lead to national acclaim. The award also brings attention to Baltimore’s supportive arts infrastructure, from institutions like BmoreArt to the city’s numerous galleries and museums.
Looking ahead
While the book now resides in a prestigious university collection, Castedo plans to continue her work with local artists and educators, fostering collaborations that celebrate Baltimore’s diverse cultural heritage. The recognition from AIGA underscores the city’s capacity to produce work that resonates far beyond Maryland’s borders.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
