Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize in Contemporary Art 2016 Artists Announced

April 15, 2016

ORLANDO, April 15, 2016 – The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is an initiative of the Orlando Museum of Art that brings a new level of recognition to the State’s most progressive artists. The exhibition will be on view May 14 – August 14, 2016. Now in its third year, the exhibition will present ten outstanding artists, with one selected to receive the prize. These artists work in a range of media and artistic practices, often in new and unexpected ways. The challenging nature of their work will offer Museum visitors insight into the complex and exciting world of contemporary art in Florida.

This year’s artists are: Anthea Behm, Gainesville; Adler Guerrier, Miami; María Martínez-Cañas, Miami; Noelle Mason, Tampa; Ernesto Oroza, Aventura; Matt Roberts, Deland; Dawn Roe, Winter Park; Kyle Trowbridge, Coral Gables; Michael Vasquez, Miami; and Sergio Vega, Gainesville.

Technology and human geography are among the recurring themes examined by a number of this year’s artists. Some examples include mobile applications used by Matthew Roberts to create augmented reality experiences dependent on user location, tapestries by Noelle Mason that reproduce satellite images along the U.S. – Mexico border where human smuggling occurs, and video by Sergio Vega that explores an early Spanish Colonial author’s theory that the Garden of Eden was located deep in the Amazon River basin. These and many other works reflect the diversity of ideas and concerns that are brought together in the Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize in Contemporary Art.

The Orlando Museum of Art will kick the exhibition off with a spectacular Exhibition Opening Preview Party, from 7-10pm on May 13, 2016. The ticketed event will feature an array of tasty creations by 10 of Orlando's premier restaurants and caterers, each offering dishes inspired by the exhibiting artists. Guests can enjoy complimentary beer, wine and specialty drinks from our beverage sponsors, an opportunity to meet the artists and explore the exhibition. Guests will also have the opportunity to cast a “People’s Choice” vote for their favorite artist. 

For press images or additional information, please contact Michael Caibio, Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations Manager, at mcaibio@omart.org or at 407.896.4231 ext. 233.