Florida Art Masters 2026:

A Live Portrait Competition

The Depot Arts District and Notta Gallery are proud to present the inaugural Florida Art Masters, a live portrait painting competition celebrating artistic skill, creativity, and the excitement of creating from life.

Sixteen artists from across the country will be selected to compete in four live preliminary heats, each featuring a live portrait model. During ethe four-hour competition, artists will paint from observation while spectators watch the creative process unfold. A panel of three judges will provide feedback and select one artist from each heat to advance to the Grand Finale, where one artist will be crowned the first Florida Art Master.

Whether your work is traditional, contemporary, expressive, or abstract, we encourage artists working in any non-digital medium to apply.

Eligibility Criteria:

Submission Information

  • Submission Period: August 1–30, 2026 

  • Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable) 

  • Notification Date: September 10, 2026 

  • Eligibility: Open to artists nationwide, ages 18 and older. 

  • Prize package over $5000

Application Requirements:
(Required Submission Materials)

Applicants must submit:

  • One portrait (required) 

  • Up to two additional artworks demonstrating the breadth of your work 

  • Artist statement 

  • Website and/or social media links 

  • The additional artworks are for jury review only and will help judges better understand your artistic practice. Submitted artwork will not be exhibited.

Rules and Terms:

  • Competition Format

  • Sixteen artists will be selected. 

  • Artists will be randomly assigned to one of four preliminary heats. 

  • Four artists will compete in each heat. 

  • Each heat will feature a live portrait model viewed from different vantage points. 

  • Artists will have four hours to complete their portrait. 

  • Three judges will provide feedback and select one winner from each heat. 

  • The four preliminary winners will compete in the Grand Finale under the same format. 

  • Competition dates will take place from late September through October. Exact dates and locations will be announced following artist selection.

Preliminary heats will be held within the Lakeland, Florida and surrounding area. The Grand Finale will be held at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art in Lakeland, Florida.

Competition Rules

  • Any non-digital media is welcome. 

  • Portraits must depict a human subject, includes self portrait

  • Artists may work in any artistic style. 

  • An 18" × 24" substrate is recommended but not required. 

  • Substrates may be toned and gridded before arrival. 

  • No preliminary drawing or sketching is permitted before the competition. 

  • All substrates will be inspected by the judges before the event begins. 

  • Reference photographs may be taken during the competition for artist reference. 

  • Artists must provide their own substrate and art materials. 

Event Expectations

Selected artists must remain for the duration of their assigned competition, including:

  • Pre-competition filming 

  • The full four-hour competition 

  • Judge critiques and feedback 

  • Winner announcement 

  • Additional interviews, as needed

  • Each heat will be filmed, and selected artists will be required to sign a media release.

Artists may not change or swap their assigned competition heat. If an artist withdraws, their position will be offered to an artist from the waitlist.

Artwork Sales

  • Portraits created during the live competition will remain with the Florida Art Masters through the Grand Finale and a subsequent exhibition.

  • Competition artwork must be available for purchase.

  • Artists determine their own sale price.

  • Unsold artwork will be returned to artists by March 1, 2027.

  • Payments for sold artwork will also be distributed by March 1, 2027.

Copyright

Artists retain full copyright to all artwork created during the competition.

By participating, artists grant the Florida Art Masters permission to photograph, film, and use images of the artwork and competition for promotional, educational, and marketing purposes.

Apply Now
Apply Now