May 2026 Salon Art Prize

The awards for the May 2026 Salon Art Prize were announced on June 30th. The selections were made by judge, Cindy Baron. 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

Dave English, Chief Joseph Medicine Crow
Oil, 24×36 in.

SECOND PLACE

Ned Mueller, Lowtide – Mevagissey, England
Oil, 12×9 in.

THIRD PLACE

Marcos Rey (Peru), Mujer con ramo
Charcoal, 29×26 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 $65,000 at the Annual Competition held in May 2027.

A serene lake at dusk with floating logs in the foreground, misty evergreen trees along the shore, distant snow-capped mountains, and a single glowing light reflected on the calm water. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Abstract painting with swirling shades of green, yellow, and black on the left, blending into vibrant red and yellow tones on the right, creating a fluid, organic pattern reminiscent of cells or flowing liquid. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Watercolor painting of a city scene with a tall, domed building in the center, trees with autumn foliage, a streetlamp, people walking, and a white tent or canopy in front of the building. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vibrant painting of an outdoor market scene shows a yellow canopy over vendors selling produce. People are visible among colorful stalls with various fruits and vegetables, creating a lively, sunlit atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Tall pine trees silhouetted against a dramatic sunset sky, with clouds tinted in shades of blue, purple, and orange, creating a peaceful yet striking landscape scene. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A sunlit meadow filled with wildflowers in bloom, featuring pink, white, and yellow blossoms. Tall grasses wave in the foreground, with green trees and a blue sky in the background, creating a peaceful, natural scene. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Close-up black and white photo of two cows standing outdoors. One cow is in the foreground facing the camera, while the other stands slightly behind, partially visible. The background is softly blurred with cloudy skies. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vivid sunset sky with vibrant red, pink, and orange clouds above a dark, hazy landscape. The scene has a soft, painterly texture, blending warm and cool tones across the horizon. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Close-up of vibrant purple irises with ruffled petals and yellow accents, clustered together among green leaves, set against a blurred background of greenery and trees under a clear blue sky. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A person in a small rowboat paddles on water reflecting warm yellow and orange hues, with a large yellow ship named Buckeye docked in the background. The scene is painted in a realistic, impressionistic style. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A sunlit field with tall grass and patches of shade, featuring a large tree at the center. Cacti grow at the trees base, and sunlight filters through the branches, casting shadows on the ground. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A still life painting featuring scattered vintage sheet music, two old portraits, a string of pink beads, a pair of glasses, and a pocket watch arranged on a soft brown surface. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young woman wearing a white blouse and pink skirt stands in a shallow stream, lifting her skirt to keep it dry as she looks down at the water, surrounded by rocks and natural scenery. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painted portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing a white blouse, gazing to the side with a relaxed pose. The background is abstract with shades of gray and blue. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Close-up view of dense green grass blades overlapping each other, creating an abstract pattern with differing shades of green and natural light reflections. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vast desert landscape with red rocky cliffs under a blue sky, sparse green shrubs in the foreground, and a lone cow grazing near the center. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young person crouches, wearing a sleeveless top and a fur headdress with an animal skull on top, staring intently at the camera against a dark background. The image is in black and white. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting of a small waterfall cascading over rocks into a foamy pool below, surrounded by greenery and bathed in soft sunlight. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

View of the Golden Gate Bridge over blue water, seen through a framework of rust-colored steel beams and girders from underneath the bridge, with sunlight casting shadows. 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 rocky shoreline with flat, light-colored stone slabs extends into a calm, blue ocean under a clear sky. Shallow water covers parts of the rocks, reflecting the skys blue hues. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A watercolor painting of an old building with weathered walls, an open doorway, and several yellow wooden pallets leaning against the exterior, bathed in soft sunlight. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A still life painting featuring a mounted antelope skull, a wilted plant in a vase, a black candlestick, a feather quill, an apple, a glass of whiskey, an old book, and a parchment on a wooden table. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Tall cypress trees with hanging Spanish moss stand in shallow, rippling water near a large lake or bay. Sunlight reflects off the water, and a bright blue sky is visible in the background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

An impressionist painting of a sunlit forest with dense green foliage, tall trees, and dappled light on the forest floor. The colors are vibrant, with hints of blue, green, and earthy tones blending together. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young girl with long hair sits indoors, resting her head on one hand. She wears a striped sweater and looks directly at the viewer with a serious expression. Ornate patterns are visible on the window and wall behind her. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting of a rustic lakeside shack with signs, a green rocking chair, and fishing gear outside. Birds fly and perch near a white birdhouse on a tall pole under a clear sky. The scene feels calm and inviting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Clear water flows over and around smooth rocks and boulders in a shallow stream, reflecting the sky and surrounding nature, with ripples and bubbles visible on the water’s surface. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Impressionistic painting of a waterfront scene with boats, docks, and white wooden buildings reflected in calm blue water. The image features loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A serene, misty night landscape with a full moon illuminating a quiet river surrounded by dark, shadowy trees and bushes. The moonlight reflects softly on the water, creating a calm, tranquil atmosphere. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A young person with voluminous curly hair wears a textured blue and purple sweater and gazes thoughtfully to the side, set against an abstract, colorful red and gray painted background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A desert landscape with tall red rock formations glowing in the warm sunlight, set against a pale sky. The foreground features patches of snow and sparse vegetation. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Two old, rusty tractors sit abandoned in a dimly lit, open-sided shed. Sunlight filters through, casting orange and red highlights on the metal and scattered leaves covering the ground. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Two horses with long, wavy manes stand close together, gently touching their heads. Both wear halters and appear calm and affectionate in a softly lit setting. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A red brick Victorian-style townhouse with ornate trim, tall windows, flower boxes, and a mansard roof, sits on a sunny street corner near old-fashioned street lamps and green trees. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Impressionistic painting of a pond with dark blue water, highlighted reflections, and several small orange fish swimming beneath the surface. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A rural scene with a green field in the foreground, several red and white farm buildings in the middle distance, and a dramatic, colorful sky filled with clouds above. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A vibrant painting of a rose bush with lush green leaves and clusters of large, pink flowers in full bloom against a light blue sky background. 15th Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

A painting of a tall blue heron standing in shallow water, with its reflection visible. The background features green foliage and water, creating a serene, natural atmosphere. 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 awards for the monthly competition are selected.

May 2026 Awards

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

CATEGORY WINNERS

CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS

TOP 100 FINALISTS

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