August 2026 Salon Art Prize

The awards for the August 2026 Salon Art Prize were announced on September 30th. The selections were made by judge, Lance Rehs, Rehs Contemporary Galleries. The overall and category winners will now be included in the judging for the 16th Annual Salon Art Prize competition being awarded in May 2027.

FIRST PLACE

Bruce K. Lawes, In Plain Sight
Oil, 30 x 20 in.

SECOND PLACE

Diane Turner, Dreaming of Flight
Oil, 42 x 34 in.

THIRD PLACE

Lynette Cook, Resplendence
Acrylic, 30 x 48 in.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Each category award winner is now entered into the Annual Competition. Judges will review all the winners from the 16th Annual monthly competitions, and we will award over $37,000 at the Annual Competition held in May 2027.

Snow-covered mountain peaks under a dark, dramatic sky, with mist and clouds swirling around the sharp ridges. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A still life showing a ram skull, a vase with leaves, a candlestick, a feather, a red apple, a book, a glass of amber liquid, and old papers on a wooden table against a dark background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting of a teal bicycle parked on a sunlit street, with laundry hanging on a line against a white wall. Shadows and splashes of color create a lively, summery scene. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painted vase with blue floral designs holds a bouquet of blue, white, and yellow flowers, with green leaves and a soft, blurred background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A curly, light brown dog sits on a textured red surface, posing against a dark background and looking upward with an alert expression. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A red trolleybus marked 60 travels on a city street with modern buildings and power lines. The image has a painterly, abstract style featuring broad brush strokes and vivid colors. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Large ornate clock with Roman numerals hangs from a green metal and glass ceiling inside a building; part of an arched window and a Brasserie sign are visible below. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A leopard with golden fur and black spots lounges on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves, gazing alertly forward. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young woman with long dark hair sits outdoors among green plants, wearing a black top and light skirt, with trees and a deer visible in the blurred background. She gazes thoughtfully to the side. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A city park at dusk with tall buildings, glowing lights, and green trees. One buildings lit-up spire stands out against the evening sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Colorful sunset over a grassy field with purple wildflowers in the foreground and trees in the background, painted in soft, vibrant hues. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

An older woman holds an axe over her shoulder and a teacup in her hand. Origami trees and an animal sit on the table. Hanging stars and a crescent moon decorate the background. The image is in grayscale. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painted landscape of distant mountains under a blue sky with clouds, sunlit grassy fields, and a valley with shadows in the foreground. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A serene sunset over a calm river, with soft clouds in the sky, a large tree on the left, lush green grass, and a lone bird flying low over the water. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vibrant coastal painting depicts red-roofed buildings, palm trees, cliffs, and a sandy beach with waves under a bright blue sky. The shoreline curves into the distance, evoking a warm, sunny atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting of an old, rusty tractor in a grassy field with a deer grazing nearby. Soft, warm colors and blurred trees create a peaceful, rural atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Watercolor painting of a peaceful rural landscape with green fields, scattered trees, distant hills, a white house, and a narrow stream reflecting the sky under soft clouds. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Rippling blue ocean water with sunlight reflecting off the surface, creating sparkling highlights and gentle waves. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A rider on a gray horse kicks up dust as the horse jumps or bucks energetically, showcasing power and movement in an outdoor setting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS

The category honorable mention recipients are eligible to re-enter their paintings into future competitions.

A green field bordered by trees, with distant mountains and a cloudy sky in the background. Soft sunlight illuminates parts of the field and trees. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Several sailboats and yachts are docked at a marina under a soft, pastel sunset sky. Birds are flying above, and trees line the background, with calm water reflecting boats and lights. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Watercolor portrait of a bearded man wearing a dark cap, gazing thoughtfully into the distance against a soft, sunlit outdoor background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vibrant painting of sunflowers in a glass vase against a blue background. The bright yellow petals contrast with the dark centers, and one fallen petal rests on the surface below. The signature KWEISS appears in the lower left corner. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A grayscale portrait of a woman with a high, segmented ponytail, soft facial expression, and a chunky chain necklace. Her body and clothing are outlined in a minimal, sketch-like style. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A fishing boat is docked at a pier during sunset, with warm orange and yellow hues in the sky reflecting on the calm water. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting shows a sunlit street with orange and white buildings, balcony, potted plant, air conditioners, and awnings over storefronts. Shadows and splashes of color create a lively, warm atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting of a rural landscape with red barns, cattle grazing, fenced green fields, distant trees, and mountains under a cloudy sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting shows people sitting at picnic tables near a large, black-and-white lighthouse with a red top, under a bright sky. Nearby buildings and signs are also visible. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Watercolor painting of a rusty, broken-down teal truck with a damaged front, large tires, and a visible license plate, set on a light background with splashes of color. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A group of Indigenous people in traditional clothing, including feathered headdresses and animal pelts, gather holding staffs. One man kneels in front with a painted blue shield featuring a horse and warrior. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

An impressionist painting of a backyard with trees, a wooden fence, power lines, trash bins, and two houses partially visible under a blue sky with clouds. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A sunlit forest path winds through green trees and tall grasses with yellow wildflowers, under a bright blue sky with soft, wispy clouds. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Two cows with light faces rest their heads gently together against a dark background, creating a soft and peaceful atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A bartender in a white shirt and bow tie stands behind a dimly lit bar filled with bottles. Warm lighting, a large lamp, and a classic painting create a cozy, vintage atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Golden sunset over a grassy landscape with a river reflecting the sky; orange, yellow, and blue tones color the clouds, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A serene watercolor painting of a lakeside scene with a sailboat near the shore, calm water, and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A misty night landscape with a full moon glowing in a purple sky, reflecting on a calm river surrounded by dark, shadowy trees and bushes. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A colorful assortment of Philadelphia foods, snacks, and packaged goods, including pretzels, Tastykakes, sandwiches, canned items, and condiments, all arranged in a crowded, overlapping manner. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

TOP 100 FINALISTS

Each month all the entries are reviewed and scored by a judge. The paintings with the highest scores become the Finalists, and from this group the monthly awards will be selected.

August 2026 Awards

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

CATEGORY WINNERS

CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS

TOP 100 FINALISTS

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