20th Annual Emerald Spring Painting Exhibition 2026

This is a juried painting competition open to all artists 18 years or older. The exhibition runs May 1-29, 2026, with jury selection taking place March 23-30, 2026.

Qualifying media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, encaustic, pastel, or combinations thereof. Mixed media paintings require a statement of execution. Excluded from the competition are drawings, photography, digitally or computer enhanced work, hand-pulled prints, giclees, and reproduction prints. All artwork must be no larger than 42 inches in any direction including frame. Diptychs and triptychs must be contained in one frame meeting size requirements. Paintings must be for sale, with the Emerald Art Center retaining a 40% commission.

Entry deadline is March 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Online CAFE entry only; postal entries will not be accepted. Entry fee is $45 for 2 images or $50 for 3 images. Artists may submit up to three images per entry, but only one entry per artist will be included in the exhibition as selected by juror. All entries are presented to the juror anonymously. Accepted work which differs significantly from the image provided will be rejected. Accepted works may not be removed before the conclusion of the exhibition.

Cash prizes include: $1500 Best of Show, $1000 Gold Medal, $700 Silver Medal, $500 Bronze Medal, $300 Award of Distinction, $250 People's Choice Award, and $200 Founder's Award, in addition to various Merit and Recognition Awards. Juror is Leslie Tejada, a painter with over 40 years of experience who has exhibited in galleries and museums across the country and participated in the national Art in Embassies program.