Oil Painters of America kicks off its exciting year of venue-hopping shows with its 33rd annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Wichita, Kansas, taking place at Mark Arts from April 5 through May 31.
On display will be a collection of original oil paintings by a select group of 200 of today’s best representational artists culled from the more than 2,000 professional artists who submitted work to be considered for this highly competitive juried show.
John Moffitt, Against the Wall Mr. Howard, 13 x 24 in.
Juror of awards, noted painter Sherrie McGraw, will bestow awards valued at $100,000, including the prestigious $25,000 Gold Medal cash prize during the opening reception and recognition ceremony at Mark Arts on Friday, April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. The exhibition can also be viewed online on both the OPA and Mark Arts websites.
In conjunction with the National Exhibition, OPA is also holding its annual convention at Mark Arts from April 2 through April 7. Registered attendees have the opportunity to participate in the Wet Paint Competition & Sale, the Mystery Minis & Whodunit Contest, as well as demonstrations and educational presentations. Social events include a welcome reception on April 3 and the Pampered Paint-Out on April 4. American Art Collector Magazine will host the closing party on April 6.
Steven Walker, Compliments of Fall, 30 x 30 in.
Among OPA’s featured Master Signature artists are Kathy Anderson, Nikolo Balkanski, John Michael Carter, Warren Chang, Macpherson, Sherrie McGraw, David Mueller, Scott Royston, Patrick Saunders, Michael Situ, James Tennison, Jan Peng Wang, Jeffrey Watts and many other established artists, a selection of whom are featured here.
Steven Walker had wanted to paint the barn in Compliments of Fall for a long time but the circumstances were never quite right. In the end he decided to pair the barn with another scene awash in dappled sunlight to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Shandy Staab, Conversation with the Girls, 14 x 26 in.
Up Against the Wall Mr. Howard is part of a trompe l’oeil oil series by John Moffitt that depicts actual historical memorabilia associated with the demise of some of the Old West’s most notorious characters, in this case Jesse James. Moffitt says, “I believe history will favor those artists whose artwork embodies not only technique and subject matter, but also demonstrates the essence of art since man began painting representationally on cave walls—artwork that tells stories that inspire wonder and awe pertinent to the human condition.”
Chuck Mauldin, Angus are Us, 14 x 18 in.
“The 33rd National Juried Exhibition showcases the best representational paintings produced across North America,” says OPA president Susan Abma. “With nearly 200 juried artists and many invited Master Signature artists, it is a showcase for up-and-coming talent and some of the most celebrated artists working today. The exhibition does not focus on a single style or theme but instead celebrates the diversity and art produced within the representational oil painting tradition.”
Attendees browse the Oil Painters of America’s 2023 National Juried Exhibition, hosted by Reinert Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo courtesy Reinert Fine Art
Full exhibition and convention information can be found at the OPA’s website. To inquire about purchasing a painting, contact Mark Arts directly at (316) 634-2787. —
Oil Painters of America’s 33rd National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils
April 5-May 31, 2024
Mark Arts
1307 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206
(815) 356-5987 www.oilpaintersofamerica.com
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