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OPA - Oil Painters of America

Dedicated to the preservation of representational art

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Student Art Competition

2025 Fifth Annual Student Art Competition

· Nov 19, 2024 ·

Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Fifth Annual Student Art Competition

An online fine art exhibition for students

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 Fifth Annual Student Art Competition, which is open to all high school and collegiate-level students living in North America. OPA aims to raise awareness of representational art and allow students to learn more about this beautiful art form.

Who:

Students between 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration.  Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member, although it is not required.

What:

Paintings must be created in oils in the representational style. This includes a broad spectrum of styles ranging from realistic to impressionist – or your style, as long as it is representational. Both plein air and/or studio work are acceptable. All submissions will be displayed online with the artist’s name, painting title & size, school name, and age on OPA’s website. All entries must depict family-friendly subject matter (any portrayals of graphic nudity, violence, or other non-family-friendly subject matter will not be accepted).

When:

Student submissions will be accepted online through OPA’s website from January 1, 2025, through April 4, 2025. The competition results will be notified to winners directly on April 11, 2025.

Where:

The top three award winners in each division will be invited to exhibit their work in conjunction with OPA’s National Exhibition of Traditional Oils at Herrig Center for the Arts in Bradenton, FL, from May 30 – June 28, 2025. Note: winners who elect to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for shipping to and from the exhibition. All paintings must be framed and wired for hanging.

Submission Fee:

$10 per entry. Maximum three entries.

How:  OPA Membership is free to all students ages 14 – 23. New student members must complete the online student membership application to enter the student competition. 2024 Student Members must renew their membership by logging into their account before entering the Student Competition.

AWARDS
High School Division – ages 14 to 18 years
First Place: $500 cash/$500 Blick Gift Certificate
Second Place: $250/$250 Blick Gift Certificate
Third Place: $100/$100 Blick Gift Certificate

AWARDS
College Division – ages 19 to 23 years
First Place: $500 cash/$500 Blick Gift Certificate
Second Place: $250/$250 Blick Gift Certificate
Third Place: $100/$100 Blick Gift Certificate

Both divisions will receive 3 Award of Excellences which will receive a $50 Blick Gift Certificate each.

 

Student Art Competition

· Jun 8, 2023 ·

Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Fourth Annual Student Art Competition

An online fine art exhibition for students

Who:

Students between the ages of 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration. Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member although it is not required. It is free to enter.

What:

Paintings must be created in oils in the representational style. This includes a broad spectrum of styles ranging from realistic to impressionist – or your own style, as long as it is representational. Both plein air and/or studio work is acceptable. All submissions will be displayed online with the artist’s name, painting title & size, school name and age on OPA’s website.

When:

Student submissions will be accepted online through OPA’s website from November 1 through February 2, 2024. Winners will be notified of the competition results directly mid-February.

Where:

The top three award winners will be invited to exhibit their work in conjunction with OPA’s National Exhibition of Traditional Oils to be held at Mark Arts in Witchita, Kansas, April 5 – May 31, 2024. Note, winners who elect to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for shipping to and from the exhibition. All paintings must be framed and wired for hanging.

Submission Fee:

There are no submission fees. It is free to enter.

New student members must fill out the online student membership application in order to enter the Student Competition.  Membership is free to all students ages 14 – 23.

To view the flyer and view the detailed Criteria and Rules and Regulations, Click Here.

 

Student Art Competition

· Oct 5, 2022 ·

Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Third Annual Student Art Competition

An online fine art exhibition for students

Who:

Students between the ages of 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration. Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member although it is not required. It is free to enter.

What:

Paintings must be created in oils in the representational style. This includes a broad spectrum of styles ranging from realistic to impressionist – or your own style, as long as it is representational. Both plein air and/or studio work is acceptable. All submissions will be displayed online with the artist’s name, painting title & size, school name and age on OPA’s website.

When:

Student submissions will be accepted online through OPA’s website from November 1 through February 3, 2023. Winners will be notified of the competition results directly by February 15, 2023

Where:

The top five award winners will be invited to exhibit their work in conjunction with OPA’s National Exhibition of Traditional Oils to be held at Reinert Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina, March 31 – April 30, 2023. Note, winners who elect to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for shipping to and from the exhibition. All paintings must be framed and wired for hanging.

Submission Fee:

There are no submission fees. It is free to enter.

New student members must fill out the online student membership application in order to enter the Student Competition.  Membership is free to all students ages 14 – 23.

To view the flyer and view the detailed Criteria and Rules and Regulations, Click Here.

 

Second Annual Student Art Competition

· Jan 15, 2022 ·

Welcome to Oil Painters of America’s Second Annual Student Art Competition An online fine art exhibition for students Who: Students between the ages of 14 and 23 are invited to submit up to three oil paintings for award consideration. Students are encouraged to work under the direction of a teacher or faculty member although it…

To access this content, you must purchase Student Membership 2025.

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  • Membership Services
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    • Have A HeART Humanitarian Award
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