Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Fourth Annual Student Art Competition
An online fine art exhibition for students
Who:
Students between the ages of 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration. Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member although it is not required. It is free to enter.
What:
Paintings must be created in oils in the representational style. This includes a broad spectrum of styles ranging from realistic to impressionist – or your own style, as long as it is representational. Both plein air and/or studio work is acceptable. All submissions will be displayed online with the artist’s name, painting title & size, school name and age on OPA’s website.
When:
Student submissions will be accepted online through OPA’s website from November 1 through February 2, 2024. Winners will be notified of the competition results directly mid-February.
Where:
The top three award winners will be invited to exhibit their work in conjunction with OPA’s National Exhibition of Traditional Oils to be held at Mark Arts in Witchita, Kansas, April 5 – May 31, 2024. Note, winners who elect to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for shipping to and from the exhibition. All paintings must be framed and wired for hanging.
Submission Fee:
There are no submission fees. It is free to enter.
New student members must fill out the online student membership application in order to enter the Student Competition. Membership is free to all students ages 14 – 23.
To view the flyer and view the detailed Criteria and Rules and Regulations, Click Here.
Awards and Jurors
- Awards: High School Division - ages 14 to 18 years First Place: $500 cash/$500 Blick Gift Certificate, Second Place: $250 cash/$250 Blick Gift Certificate, Third Place: $100 cash/$100 Blick Gift Certificate and 3 $50 Blick Certificate Honorable Mention Awards College Division - ages 19 to 23 years First Place: $500 cash/$500 Blick Gift Certificate, Second Place: $250 cash/$250 Blick Gift Certificate, Third Place: $100 cash/$100 Blick Gift Certificate and 3 $50 Blick Certificate Honorable Mention Awards
- Jurors:
The awarding juror is TBD
Show Information
- Entry: Students between the ages of 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration. Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member although it is not required. It is FREE to enter and student membership is required, but also free!
- General Information: With over 3,500 artists, Oil Painters of America is one of today's leading professional art organizations in North America. OPA is pleased to announce its fourth Annual Student Art Competition open to all students ages 14 thru 23 that are living in North America. OPA’s goal is to raise awareness of representational art and provide an opportunity for students to learn more about this beautiful art form.
- Show Rules: Rules & Regulations: To maintain the integrity and spirit of
the competition, the following rules apply:
● Paintings must be created on one singular flat substrate.
● The substrate must not exceed the maximum size of 864 sq. inches (24” x 36”)
● Submission must be originally conceived: using your own reference, your own drawing, your own concept and must have been self-painted.
● All entries must depict family-friendly subject matter (any portrayals of graphic nudity, violence, or other non-family-friendly subject matter will not be accepted.
● Faculty or mentors can make suggestions only and should NOT work directly on the student’s canvas
● Copyright infringement of any kind is unacceptable. It is unethical and against OPA policy for artists to submit work created from another person’s drawing/painting/photo or other artwork that is not solely the artist’s copyright.
● Digital apps and programs may be used for cropping your reference photos, etc., but no digital, mechanical, photo, or other transferring to the substrate of any kind is acceptable. You must draw and/or paint the image on your substrate yourself.
● No direct copies of stock images, historic photos, or of any reference to which you do not hold total copyright are allowed. You must be able to provide signed documentation of total copyright should OPA request.
● The artist retains copyright to his/her image(s). However, award winners’ images do become part of OPA archives and may be used for future OPA event promotion.
● Paintings must be created in oils in the representational style. This includes a broad spectrum of styles ranging from realistic to impressionist – or your own style, as long as it is representational. Both plein air and/or studio work is acceptable. All submissions will be displayed online with the artist's name, painting title & size, school name and age on OPA’s website.
● Award winning artists will be responsible for having their paintings properly framed and wired for hanging to participate in the National Exhibition. In addition, shipping to and from the exhibition will be the responsibility of the artist.
● Paintings exhibited in the student competition do not need to be for sale. However, paintings that are for sale will be subject to a commission fee of 50% of which 40% will go to Mark Arts, 10% to OPA, and 50% to the artist.