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OPA - Oil Painters of America

Dedicated to the preservation of representational art

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Shirl Smithson Memorial Scholarship Application

Established in 1991, the Oil Painters of America is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of representational art. Oil Painters of America (OPA) offers four $500 scholarships appropriately named after its founding member, Shirl Smithson. The Shirl Smithson Memorial Scholarships are open to all current Associate members.

Scholarships are awarded annually and applications for consideration must be received between August 1 and December 1. Three of the four scholarships are designated for active OPA members and one scholarship is awarded to a part or full-time student currently enrolled in art school or an art related program. (Students need not be OPA members to apply)

Based on a review of the application materials, the scholarship committee will select four OPA members to receive a scholarship based on the quality and strength of the art work submitted and the potential for further development. One scholarship is designated specifically for a student member who is currently enrolled as a full-time student. Applicants will be notified by March 1.

Scholarships must be used to attend a workshop or class in representational oil painting. Award winners must receive approval from Oil Painters of America prior to enrolling or attending a workshop or class. All scholarship funding will be sent directly from OPA to the designated workshop and/or class.

All Associate members are encouraged to apply. Recipients of a scholarship are eligible to apply again.

Questions

Please send any questions or correspondence to kanderson@oilpaintersofamerica.com.

Shirl Smithson Memorial Scholarship Application

  • Scholarship Submission Information Submission
    Deadline: Applications must be received by December 1
  • Max. file size: 64 MB.
  • Max. file size: 64 MB.
  • Max. file size: 64 MB.
    (Note: if you are not a student please disregard this.)
  • Upload six digital images of your work to DropBox (300 dpi, jpeg preferred)

    DropBox Directions
    • Click Here to watch a dropbox video tutorial.
    • Please upload your application images to your dropbox account. Be sure to create a new folder for your images and title the folder with your First and Last Name.
    • If you do not have a drop box you can set one up here.
    • Share that folder with scholarships@oilpaintersofamerica.com.
    • How to share a folder in drop box.
      1. Hover your cursor over the folder you want to share.
      2. Click the blue Share button that appears.
      3. Enter this email addresses, scholarships@oilpaintersofamerica.com.
      4. Select Can edit from the pull-down menu.
      5. Then click Share.
    No time limitation applies to when paintings were created.

OPA Founder

Shirl Smithson

Past Winners

2024
  • Rhonda Daigler
  • Rachel Dowd
  • Theresa Grillo-Laird
  • Cove Silas  (student)
2023
  • Ashwini Bharathula
  • Gerard Erley
  • Katherine Grossfeld
  • Caden Ferita (student)
2022
  • Marian Berg
  • Yelena Lamm
  • Amuri Morris (student)
  • Todd Schabel
2021
  • Jacqueline Chanda
  • Larry De Graff
  • Amuri Morris (student)
  • Rita Salazar Dickerson
2020
  • Joyful Enriquez
  • Maria Josenhans
  • Paul Schulenburg
  • Anna Toberman
2019
  • DK Palecek
  • Cassandra Ronning (student)
  • Laurie Snow Hein
  • Ester Wilson
2018
  • Michael Gillespie
  • Denise Imke
  • Kathie Odom
  • Robin Wellner
2017
  • Tina Garrett
  • Chantal Julien
  • Kirk Larsen OPA
  • Rhia Krishmmam Student
2016
  • August Burns
  • Suellen McCrary
  • J. Russell Wells
  • Jason Patrick Jenkins Student
2015
  • Chula Beauregard
  • Christina Body
  • Kim Hill
  • Claire A. Miller Student
2014
  • Tanya Bone
  • Matt Duckett
  • Denise Imke
  • Chris Saper
2013
  • Nancy Boren
  • Diana Moses Botkin
  • Denise Imke
  • Barbara Zanelli Student
2012
  • Jeffrey A. Love
  • Cathy Priest
  • Kathie Wheeler
  • Kelli Fulsom Student
2011
  • Christine Debrosky
  • Ying Liu
  • Adam Nowak Student
2010
  • Becky Joy
  • Renate Reuter
  • Diane White
2009
  • Patricia Huber
  • Tom Hilscher
  • Katie Stearns
  • Katrina Weber Student
2008
  • Jill Brabant
  • Danny Griego
  • Michael Chesley Johnson
  • Susan Ploughe
2007
  • Scott Boyle
  • Christine Hooker
  • Doug Martin
  • V… Vaughan
2006
  • Margaret Dyer
  • Jane Ford
  • Doug Martin
  • Anne Spoon Student
2005
  • Roberta Remy
  • Ryan Schultz Student
2004
  • Cody DeLong
2003
  • Ryan Shultz

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  • About
    • Mission, Policies & Bylaws
    • Board of Directors
    • Presidential History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • History
    • OPA Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Membership Services
    • Member Login
    • Membership Information
    • State & Province Distribution For Regionals
    • Update Member Information
    • Membership Directory
    • Contact Membership Department
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Showcase
    • Lunch and Learn
    • Virtual Museum Road Trip
    • Paint Outs
  • Resources
    • Brushstrokes Newsletters
    • Ship and Insure Info
    • Lunch & Learn Video Archives
    • Museum Road Trip Video Archives
  • Services
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Critique Services
    • Workshops
    • Have A HeART Humanitarian Award
  • Online Store
  • Awardees
  • Blog
    • OPA Guest Bloggers
    • Blogger’s Agreement (PDF)
    • Comment Policy
    • Advertisement Opportunities

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