The Art of the Heartland is a national juried painting competition.

Our goal is to assemble the finest display of representational paintings made in America that display the best of American Art. The focus in the jury process will be to select paintings with the highest quality in workmanship, color, value, composition, style and diversity of subject matter that depicts the best of America and its people. The selection jury will consist of three professional artists.

Eligible artist locations include all of the United States, Canada and their possessions, provinces and territories. Artists must be 18 years or older.

Awards are:
1st place, Best in Show: $4,000
2nd place: $2,000
3rd place: $1,000
Award of Merit to an Arkansas Artist: $1,000

We are working with our sponsors to add a variety of additional awards, including merchandise awards, purchase awards, and more. Updates will be posted here, on our website and Facebook page as they are confirmed.

The awarding judge is the world renowned sporting artist, Andre Pater, considered by the international art community to be the greatest in the sporting art field since Alfred Munnings. Andre Pater is considered to be the heir to the artistic throne vacated when the revered Munnings died. As affirmation of that genius, the London exhibit sold out the over 30 paintings offered, to a huge, enthusiastic crowd in only 21 minutes. At a Sotheby’s Sporting Art sale, an Andre Pater pastel set the record for a non-oil work by a living artist. A book signing is planned during the show for a newly published book of his work.