The Orlando Museum of Art's 'Florida Prize in Contemporary Art' group exhibition opens this week, featuring works by ten emerging and progressive artists from across Florida. The artists include Maria Theresa Barbist, Rose Marie Cromwell, Jason Hackenwerth, Francisco Masó, Jessy Nite, Charo Oquet, Ema Ri, Mette Tommerup, Katie Hargrave, Meredith Laura Lynn, and We Are Nice’n Easy. One artist will be awarded the $20,000 Florida Prize, chosen by juror Jade Powers, the Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The exhibition runs from May 30 to August 23, 2026, with an opening party on May 29.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the largest selection of emerging artists in the prize's history, underscoring the Orlando Museum of Art's commitment to supporting contemporary art talent in Florida. The $20,000 prize and the involvement of a prominent out-of-state juror elevate the visibility of regional artists, potentially boosting their careers and drawing attention to Florida's contemporary art scene.