Past Shows

Covid-19 has changed the way we all do things, normally, our wet painting competition is only available to those convention attendees who can physically attend. This year we are delighted to offer both the opportunity to compete in our Wet Paint Competition and to attend the convention for a much lower fee, to a much broader audience. The spirit of the Wet Paint Competition has always been to paint together, in oil, from life. In keeping with that spirit, we ask that you abide by the following rules and guidelines to maintain the integrity and fairness of the competition.

The Fall 2020 Online Showcase is accepting entries from October 1 – December 15, 2020 and boasts awards of $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place for both OPA Associate and Signature Members.  10 honorable mention awards will also be awarded for the Associate division.

OPA went International for this year's Wet Paint Competition & Convention. Registered attendees* competed for a minimum of $20,000 in cash and merchandise awards. OPA members vied for awards in both the studio and plein air categories. International artists who reside outside of North America competed in a separate international category. *Please Note: Only attendees who had paid the convention registration fee were eligible to participate in the Virtual Wet Paint Sale & Competition.

The focus in the jurying process will be to select paintings that show the highest quality in draftsmanship, color, and composition, emphasizing a diversity in representational style and subject matter.

Though this exhibition was virtual, the high quality of artwork remains the same and features the best representational artists throughout the western half of the United States and Canada.

Over 350 exceptional works of art from artists across the United States and Canada.

Oil Painters of America's was pleased to hold the Thirtieth National Exhibition at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum, located in Escondido, California from April 9 through May 16, 2021. The opening reception for artists, collectors, the public and the press was held at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum, on Friday, April 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The awards presentation took place virtually on April 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Our goal was to assemble the finest display of representational oil paintings. The focus in the jurying process was to select paintings that show the highest quality in draftsmanship, color, and composition, emphasizing a diversity in representational style and subject matter.

The Spring 2021 Online Showcase will be accepting entries from March 1 – May 15, 2021 and boasts awards of $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place for OPA Associate Members.  10 honorable mention awards will also be awarded for the Associate division.

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 first Annual Student Art Competition open to all high school and collegiate level students living in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.

OPA’s 2021 Salon Show is being hosted by Quinlan Visual Arts Center, located in Gainesville, Georgia, June 10 through August 7, 2021. The Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, June 10 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. This event is open to all current members of OPA, with entries being accepted through Friday, March 31. We encourage all current OPA members to enter this exhibition in the inviting city of Gainesville. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests, Gainesville offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, fishing and golfing. The North Georgia Garden Trail offers 26 beautiful, public gardens to visit and the Georgia Foothills Wine Tour introduces visitors to a variety of wines at 6 wineries and tasting rooms. Gainesville is known as the “Queen City of the Mountains”, the ”Poultry Capital of the World” and the “Hospitality Capital of the World”.

OPA's 2021 Eastern Regional Exhibition was hosted by the ArtCenter Manatee, located in Bradenton, Florida, September 28 through October 22, 2021. The Opening Reception was held on Thursday, September 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the awards presentation in person at 6:00 p.m.

OPA’s 2021 Western Regional Exhibition was hosted by the Marks Arts, located in Wichita, Kansas, October 15 through November 27, 2021. The Opening Reception was held on Friday, October 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the awards presentation in person at 7:00 p.m.

OPA’s “Spirit of Santa Fe” Wet Paint Competition begins first thing Tuesday morning. Registered attendees* will vie for approximately $15,000 in cash and merchandise awards. A first, second and third place will be given in two categories: studio and plein air, with remaining awards given based on the discretion of the Juror of Awards. Canvas must be officially stamped by OPA prior to painting. Maximum canvas size is 320 square inches. All paintings must be framed and wired for hanging to be in the competition & sale. Admission fees into any of the parks are not included and are the responsibility of the artist.

The OPA Online Showcase is a rolling exhibition, offered three times per year, allowing OPA members to easily enter multiple paintings for only $15 per entry.

The Spring 2021 Online Showcase will be accepting entries from March 1 – May 15, 2021 and boasts awards of $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place for OPA Associate Members.  10 honorable mention awards will also be awarded for the Associate division.

The OPA Online Showcase is a rolling exhibition, offered three times per year, allowing OPA members to easily enter multiple paintings for only $15 per entry.

Join OPA in beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the opening of its 31st Annual National Exhibition & Convention. Registered attendees will be eligible to compete in the Wet Paint Competition and vie for cash and merchandise awards in either the studio or plein air divisions. The Wet Paint Competition Awards will be announced on Friday, June 3, during the National Awards & Recognition Ceremony.

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 second Annual Student Art Competition open to all high school and collegiate level students living in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.

OPA’s 2022 Eastern Regional Exhibition is being hosted by James R. Ross Fine Art, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 6 through 28, 2022. The Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, October 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the awards presentation in person at 7:00 p.m.

OPA’s 2022 Western Regional Exhibition is being hosted by Southwest Gallery, located in Dallas, Texas, September 10 through October 1, 2022.  The Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 1:00 to 5:00pm with the awards presentation at 4:00pm.

OPA’s 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition is being hosted by Beverly McNeil Gallery located in Birmingham, Alabama, September 14 through October 13, 2023.

Entries accepted March 1 through May 15, 2023 Associate and student members only.

OPA’s 2023 Western Regional Exhibition is being hosted by Brushworks Gallery, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 1 through October 31, 2023. 

This Exhibition is by invitation only and will feature Master Signature, Signature artists and invited guests.

Join OPA in beautiful Wichita, Kansas for the opening of its 33rd Annual National Exhibition & Convention. Registered attendees will be eligible to compete in the Wet Paint Competition and vie for cash and merchandise awards in either the studio or plein air divisions. The Wet Paint Competition Awards will be announced on Friday, April 5, during the National Awards & Recognition Ceremony.

Entries accepted June 1 through August 15, 2023 Associate and student members only.

Entries accepted September 1 through November 15, 2023 Associate, Signature and Student members only.

Entries accepted March 1 through May 15, 2024 Associate and student members only.

OPA’s 2024 Eastern Regional Exhibition is being hosted by The Centerpiece Gallery located in Raleigh, North Carolina, October 11 through November 8, 2024.

Oil Painters of America is pleased to return to James R. Ross Fine Art, for its 2024 Salon Show. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the gallery will host the opening reception on Thursday, July 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the awards presentations at 7:00. The exhibition will run from July 25 through August 17. July and August temperatures in Indianapolis make outdoor activities enjoyable, such as taking a walking tour of Lockerbie Square, the city’s oldest surviving neighborhood, dating back to the 1840’s. Or visit the 70 acre Indianapolis Zoo where you can play in the water with the dolphins or run with cheetahs. For indoor entertainment you might want to visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens, the NCAA Hall of Champions or the Rhythm! Discovery Center with hands-on exhibits where you can test your music making skills.

OPA’s 2024 Western Regional Exhibition is being hosted by Phippen Museum, located in Prescott, Arizona, October 12, 2024 through January 5, 2025. 

Entries accepted June 1 through August 15, 2024 Associate and student members only.

Entries accepted September 1 through November 15, 2024 Signature, Associate and Student members only.