Oil Painters of America’s 2026 National Salon

Oil Painters of America is pleased to present the 2026 National Salon, an exhibition presented  to showcase Student Associate, Associate and Signature members. This exhibition will be hosted by Cassens Fine Art, in Hamilton, Montana, July 31 through August 29, 2026, with the opening reception and awards being held on Friday, July 31 from 5 pm to 7:00 pm.

July 31, 2026 – August 29, 2026
Awards Announcement: July 31, 2026

Make Plans to Join Us in Hamilton, Montana

Celebrate the opening of OPA’s National Salon: Exhibition of Small Paintings with a memorable weekend of art, education, and community, July 31 – August 1.  The festivities begin with the Opening Reception and Awards Presentation on Friday evening, followed by a full day of special events on Saturday, including live painting demonstrations by Master Signature artists James Crandall OPAM and John Michael Carter OPAM, a casual lunch with members of the OPA community, and Wine & Wisdom, where Awards Judge James Crandall OPAM offers a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic qualities that distinguished this year’s award-winning paintings.

Whether you’re an artist, collector, or simply passionate about representational art, Opening Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to meet exceptional artists, gain valuable insights, and experience one of OPA’s premier contributions.  All events are complimentary, and advance registration is requested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2024 OPA National Juried Salon

 

OPA’s 2024 National Juried Salon is being hosted by James R. Ross Fine Art, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 25  through August 16, 2024. The Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, July 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the awards presentation at 7:00 p.m.

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

Our goal is to assemble approximately 100 of the finest representational oil paintings by our Associate and Signature members, as well as paintings by our Master Signature artists. 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.

The total awards will be approximately $12,000 in cash and merchandise.

The awarding juror will be OPA Master Signature member Robert Johnson.

Artists eligible to compete are citizens – both natural born or otherwise – of the continent of North America who are 2024 OPA members. Nonresident aliens who currently live on the continent of North America are eligible to participate provided that they have been physically present at the address provided to OPA for eight of the last twelve months and that the residency is considered to be their permanent domicile and that they are 2024 OPA members. Nonresident aliens whose North American residency is in question will be asked to provide proof of residency including, but not limited to, employment history, references, and utility bills in the individual’s name. The decision of the Board is final.