Welcome to the Oil Painters of America’s National Convention Wet Paint Competition.
A National Competition for fully registered convention participants.
May 27, 2025 – May 29, 2025
Awards Announcement: May 30, 2025
2022
2026 OPA Online Showcase Fall
Welcome to the Oil Painters of America’s Online Showcase.
An online fine art exhibition for OPA members.
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 Fall 2026 Online Showcase is accepting entries from September 1 – November 30 and boasts awards of $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place for OPA Signature, Associate and Student Associate Members only. 10 honorable mention awards, will also be awarded for the Associate/Student Associate division and 3 honorable mention awards for the Signature Division.
September 1 – November 30, 2026
For Signature, Associate and Student Associate Members Only
Awards Announcement: December 18, 2026
2026 OPA National Convention Wet Paint Competition
Welcome to the Oil Painters of America’s National Convention Wet Paint Competition.
A National Competition for fully registered convention participants.
May 26, 2026 – May 28, 2026
Awards Announcement: May 29, 2026
2026 Sixth Annual Student Art Competition
Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Sixth Annual Student Art Competition
An online fine art exhibition for students
Show Your Talent. Be Recognized. Shine!
Oil Painters of America (OPA), one of North America’s leading professional art organizations with 3,500+ members, invites high school & college students to submit their oil paintings. Explore the beauty of representational art and take your skills to the next level!
Submit your work, gain recognition, and be part of an amazing art community. Let your art shine for the world to see!
Who can enter
Students ages 14–23
Submit up to 3 oil paintings
Teacher/faculty guidance is encouraged but optional
What to Submit
Oil paintings in representational style in accordance with OPA’s Submission Rules.
Plein air or studio work accepted
Family-friendly subject matter only
Online display includes: artist name, painting title & size, school, and age.
Where Winners Exhibit
The top 3 winners in each division are invited to OPA’s 35th National Exhibition of Traditional Oils.
Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO
May 29 – August 29, 2026
Requirements: framed, wired, remain on display; winners handle shipping
Awards by Division
First Place: $500 cash + $500 Blick Gift Certificate
Second Place: $250 cash + $250 Blick Gift Certificate
Third Place: $100 cash + $100 Blick Gift Certificate
3 Honorable Mention: $50 Blick Gift Certificate
Important Dates
Submission Period: Dec 1, 2025 – Apr 1, 2026
Winner Notification: Apr 17, 2026
Submission Fee
$10 per entry (max three entries)
How to Enter
Free OPA Student Membership required (ages 14–23)
New Members: Complete the online membership application to enter
2025 Student Members: Renew before submitting
Optional: Student Associate Membership ($40/year) all the benefits of Associate membership
Exhibition Policy
If a Student Associate is both an award recipient in the Student Competition and accepted into the National Exhibition, only one painting may be displayed at the Steamboat Art Museum. The Student Associate shall designate which work will be exhibited, either in the Student Competition section or within the National Exhibition.
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2026 National Exhibition & Convention
Oil Painters of America’s 2026 Annual Exhibition & Convention
Oil Painters of America is pleased to be returning to the Steamboat Art Museum, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for our Thirty-fifth National Exhibition. The Exhibition runs May 29 through August 29, 2026, with the convention activities beginning on May 26 at the stunning Steamboat Grand Hotel. The opening reception for artists, the public and the press will be held at The Museum on Friday, May 29 from 5:30-7:30 pm, preceded by an private pre-view reception from 4:30 to 5:30. The Awards and Recognition Ceremony will begin at 8pm. OPA is again presenting a wide variety of demos, talks and activities during the convention and is pleased that a number of our sponsoring vendors will have representatives and displays.