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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