July 2026 Salon Art Prize

The awards for the July 2026 Salon Art Prize were announced on August 31st. The selections were made by judge, Bill Davidson. The overall and category winners will now be included in the judging for the 16th Annual Salon Art Prize being awarded in May 2027.

FIRST PLACE

An older person with white hair naps on a couch, resting their head on a pillow, with one hand gently placed on a small black-and-white dog lying beside them. Both appear peaceful and relaxed. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Kathleen Erin, Companion
Oil, 24×36 in.

SECOND PLACE

Shun Yao Xie, The Family Guardian
Oil, 36×48 in.

A painting shows a German Shepherd sitting in a cozy room, while a person relaxes in an armchair reading. Warm light fills the scene, highlighting homey furnishings and a tranquil atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

THIRD PLACE

A cowboy tightens a saddle on a chestnut horse in a sunlit corral, with more horses grazing in the background and a mountain range visible beyond. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Leah Wiedemer, Cowboy Life
Oil, 20×24 in.

CATEGORY WINNERS

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

A panoramic painting shows a town with red rooftops on the left, a river in the center, and green fields with a bridge and hills on the right under a partly cloudy sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Sunlight streams through a rustic window onto a wooden table holding bottles, a glass, and scattered items. Shadows and warm light fill the cozy, cluttered room, suggesting a peaceful rural setting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Painting of a mountain landscape with sunlight illuminating rocky cliffs, green hills, and scattered pine trees in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting depicts a dimly lit workshop with a window, cluttered workbench, wooden stool, and indistinct tools in the background. Light streams through the window, illuminating part of the workspace. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A person draped in lace fabric holds a glowing candle in the dark, their face softly illuminated by the candlelight, creating a mysterious and ethereal atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Two quails sit among snow-covered grasses and wildflowers. The scene is softly lit, capturing a peaceful winter landscape with delicate details on the birds and plants. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A person in a futuristic mask stands on a dark crosswalk at night, surrounded by three sharks appearing to swim on the street. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A pastel landscape shows a dirt path leading through grassy fields to distant mountains under a bright blue sky with large, fluffy clouds. Tree clusters dot the scene. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Watercolor painting of a tall, narrow alleyway with glowing windows and architectural details, creating a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere with soft, blended colors and dramatic light. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Two young girls stand on a porch; one gently touches the others mouth. Both wear colorful dresses, and potted plants are nearby. Sunlight filters through, creating a warm, tender moment between the children. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Nighttime city scene with illuminated Market Liquors sign above a sidewalk. Stairs lead down to a dimly lit underground entrance, while distant streetlights and storefronts line the busy street in the background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A brown ceramic jug holds several white roses with soft petals, arranged in a classic still life style against a warm, muted background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Boats docked at a harbor during sunset, with calm water reflecting the skys soft purple and orange hues, and several buildings and structures along the waterfront. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Three Indigenous people in traditional clothing and feathered headdresses perform a dynamic ritual dance outdoors, holding spears and ceremonial items. Dust swirls around them, and a buffalo skull lies in the foreground. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

An impressionist painting of a rocky beach at sunset, with waves crashing onto sand, green cliffs on the left, and sunlight reflecting on the water. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting of a large ship in a shipyard, surrounded by cranes and scaffolding, with muted colors suggesting an overcast day. The scene conveys industrial activity and repair work. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A golden sunset over the ocean, with sunlight reflecting on the water and rocky cliffs framing the scene, creating a peaceful and warm atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A calm seascape at sunset, with gentle waves rolling onto the shore. The sky is filled with soft clouds, and the sun glows low on the horizon, reflecting orange and pink hues on the wet sand and water. 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 wooden pier with weathered beams extends over calm, reflective water. Smoke rises near the shore, with a forested mountain and distant trees in the background under a soft, cloudy sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young girl with long hair sits indoors, resting her head on her hand and looking at the viewer with a serious expression. She wears a striped sweater and patterned background is visible behind her. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Three people cross a city street at night in front of a bus displaying 21 HAYES Ferry Plaza. Streetlights, cars, and steam create a busy urban atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vibrant painting of a canyon landscape with towering, layered cliffs in red, orange, and white hues under a clear blue sky, featuring deep shadows and green patches of vegetation on the valley floor. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A cable car travels up a sunny city street lined with cars and colorful buildings; orange traffic cones and yellow poles block part of the road. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

An elderly woman eats soup at a wooden table with origami animals, paper clouds, and a star hanging above. Light streams in from a window, creating a calm, nostalgic mood. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A colorful garden with blooming flowers and a wooden house. There is a yellow gate, a striped rug on the porch, and trees with green leaves and apples under a bright blue sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young girl reads The Tale of Benjamin Bunny surrounded by plush rabbits on a cozy armchair, wrapped in a floral quilt, with soft light from a window illuminating the scene. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A blue stand mixer sits on a wooden table, with bananas resting on a patterned book in front of it. The mixers metal bowl reflects light, and an electrical outlet is visible on the wall behind. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A landscape painting of snow-capped mountains, golden trees, and green fields under a clear blue sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A herd of cows grazes in a sunlit field at sunrise or sunset, with warm light casting long shadows and softening the landscape. Rolling hills and distant trees fade into the hazy, glowing background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Colorful bushes with red and yellow flowers bloom along a sunlit desert path, with mountains and trees in the background under a bright blue sky. The scene is painted with vibrant, textured brushstrokes. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Black and white close-up of an older man with a beard and mustache, wearing a worn cowboy hat. Only the left side of his face and hat are fully visible, highlighting textured skin and a thoughtful expression. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Water lilies with pink and white blooms float on a pond surrounded by green lily pads and reflections of sunlight on the water. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A neon sign reading Colonial Motel glows at night, illuminating parked cars, trees, and a dark motel building in the background. A roadside sign gives info about amenities. The sky is deep blue. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A group of people fight in a graffiti-covered urban setting. A woman in striped pants is central, swinging her arm. Others are grappling, falling, and reacting around her. The scene is chaotic and vividly colored with dramatic lighting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A foggy cityscape view with tall, weathered buildings, flat rooftops, and a metal water tank. The scene appears gray and misty, evoking a quiet, somber mood in an urban environment. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting of a dockside scene with wooden piers, water, buildings, a red car, and fishing boats. Soft lighting and muted tones suggest a cloudy day. Shadows and reflections add depth to the coastal setting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Impressionist painting of a house with a red-tiled roof, a window with blue shutters, and tall green plants in the foreground, bathed in soft sunlight. 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. The awards for the monthly competition are selected from this group of finalists.

July 2026 Awards

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

CATEGORY WINNERS

CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS

TOP 100 FINALISTS

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