DIGITAL RESIDENT
Pedro Ledesma III

OCTOBER 2026

Born in South Dakota and raised in a small town in Texas, Pedro has always appreciated wide, open spaces and small communities. His Korean and Mexican heritage and experience as a World Bank economist broaden his understanding of family, culture, and connectivity, fostering a deep connection to place, belonging, and history.

Pedro’s photography confronts social inequities, aiming to inspire positive change. Drawing on his experience as a mixed-race, Southern Baptist-raised, Ivy League graduate, he examines how national issues unfold in small communities, giving voice to underrepresented stories.

His artistic process involves local research and deep immersion within the communities he photographs. He thoughtfully chooses his techniques, materials, and scale to create images that resonate with power and purpose, amplifying the voices he seeks to understand.

Since committing to art in 2018, Pedro has garnered significant recognition, including the 2024 Trawick Grand Prize, 2024 Virginia MOCA Biennial, and permanent collection of the DC Arts Commission. He is a 2025 Griffin Museum finalist and a 2025 Virginia Museum of Fine Art Fellow.