NSMA Painting Competition 2025
The NSMA Painting Competition is a celebration of artistic excellence, inviting global artists to showcase the finest in contemporary realist painting. This competition stands as a testament to the enduring allure and expressive power of representational painting, providing artists with a prestigious platform to showcase their talent, win significant awards, engage with their peers, and contribute to the rich tapestry of representational art.
The competition, with its emphasis on artistic excellence, integrity, and engagement with peers, is designed to stand as a radiant beacon within the contemporary realist art movement.
ACQUISITION AWARD
The winning artist will be awarded $25,000 and the painting will join the rotating permanent collection at NSMA.
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
NSMA is collaborating with Rosemary & Co. Brushes to offer $2,500 in fine artist brushes. Rosemary & Co. is renowned for making the finest quality hand made artist brushes in the world. This award will be chosen by NSMA Director, painter Michael Klein at the awards ceremony.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Voting for the People's Choice Award will be open to all museum visitors during the length of the two month finalist exhibition, and the winner will receive $2,500.
JUDGING
A panel of jurors selected finalists based on artistic vision and technical skill. These finalists will select a single Acquisition Award winner at the Awards Ceremony through a private voting process in which each finalist must vote for a painting other than their own. This unique method of selection is intended to foster an environment of peer respect and celebration.
EXHIBITION INFO
An integral part of the competition is the exhibition and public recognition of the finalists’ works. The finalists’ paintings will be showcased in a two month long exhibition at NSMA Wednesday May 7th through Sunday June 29th, one of NSMA's busiest seasons of the year, providing finalists with a platform for broad recognition and appreciation.
The Acquisition Award Winner will be announced at the competition awards ceremony on May 3rd, 2025
The Director's Choice Award Winner will be announced at the competition awards ceremony on May 3rd, 2025
The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced after the end of the exhibition
GRAND PRIZE ACQUISITION AWARD
$25,000
DIRECTOR'S CHOICE AWARD
$2,500 in Rosemary & Co. brushes
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
AWARD
$2,500
1000 Votes
FINALISTS
EXHIBITION AND AWARDS CEREMONY GALLERY
The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced after the end of the exhibition, on [date].
FINALISTS
Abigail Sutton
Alexander Carter
Benjamin Hayes
Charles Holloway
Charlotte Monroe
Daniel Foster
Diana Vaughn
Edward Lancaster
Eleanor Briggs
Florence Middleton
Frederick Lawson
George Winslow
Grace Whitman
Hannah Preston
Henry Caldwell
Isaac Merritt
Isabella Morton
James Prescott
Julian Fairchild
Katherine Blake
Lillian Montgomery
Lucas Davenport
Margaret Sinclair
Maxwell Harrington
Naomi Fitzgerald
Nathaniel Pierce
Olivia Hartman
Owen Calloway
Patrick Donovan
Penelope Greer
Quinn Fletcher
Raymond Ashton
Rebecca Hastings
Samuel Whitaker
Sylvia Wentworth
Test
Theodore Barrington
Thomas Ellington
Ursula Whitmore
Victoria Bennett
Vincent Delacroix
Walter Kingsley
William Randolph
Xavier Belmont
Yvonne Mercer
Zachary Thornton
