The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is organized by the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) to bring new recognition to the most progressive artists in the State. Each year OMA’s curatorial team surveys artists working throughout Florida, inviting ten leading individuals or collectives to participate. An invited and distinguished juror then selects one artist or team to receive the $20,000 The Florida Prize. Artists range from emerging to mid-career, often with a distinguished record of exhibitions and awards that reflect recognition at national and international levels. In all cases, they are artists who are engaged in exploring significant ideas in art and culture in original and visually exciting ways. The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art underscores OMA’s commitment to the art of our time and to supporting artists who live and work in our state.
This year marks the twelfth edition of the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art. For the first time ever, the selection includes two duos and a total of twelve artists. This year’s artists are: Maria Theresa Barbist, Rose Marie Cromwell, Jason Hackenwerth, Meredith Laura Lynn & Katie Hargrave, Francisco Masó, Jessy Nite, Charo Oquet, Ema Ri, Mette Tommerup, and We Are Nice’n Easy.
The exhibition reflects a remarkable diversity of mediums and techniques from painting, photography, and sculpture to site-specific installation, assemblage, weaving, including large-scale, immersive works and minimalist or ephemeral moments. One common thread that emerges across several of this year’s artists and their practices relates to language; from literal text-based works to unspoken or coded systems, foreign tongues, spiritual and ritualistic practices, the passing of knowledge throughout historical eras and family ties, and the impulse to communicate and develop a visual language and vocabulary. These artists have something to share. Their visual languages often draw from memory and deeply rooted heritages and are powerfully engaging.
The exhibition is a showcase of the unique voices of twelve artists who express potent narratives and reflect the State of Florida’s cultural vitality through some of the most compelling work being created here and now.
The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art 2026 is curated by Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, The Dr. James Cottrell and Mr. Joseph Lovett Chief Curator, and Katherine Page, Associate Curator, Orlando Museum of Art. The 2026 Florida Prize award juror is Jade Powers, The Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, AL.
2026 Florida Prize Artists:
Left to Right: Maria Theresa Barbist, Rose Marie Cromwell, Jason Hackenwerth, Katie Hargrave and Meredith Laura Lynn, Francisco Masó, Jessy Nite, Charo Oquet, Ema Ri, Mette Tommerup, “Nice’n Easy” duo Allison Matherly and Jeffery Noble
Maria Theresa Barbist @Mariabarbist
Rose Marie Cromwell @rorosiemarie
Jason Hackenwerth @Hackenwerth
Meredith Laura Lynn @Meredithlauralynn
Katie Hargrave @Katie_hargrave
Francisco Masó @Fcomaso
Jessy Nite @jessynite
Charo Oquet @charooquet
Ema Ri @ema____ri____
Mette Tommerup @mettetommerup
Nice’n Easy @Weareniceneasy
This exhibition is generously supported by:
People’s Choice Award sponsor:
