The Orlando Museum of Art has opened its annual 'Florida Prize in Contemporary Art' exhibition, showcasing 12 contemporary artists from across Florida. This year's roster includes duos Meredith Lynn & Katie Hargrave and We Are Nice'n Easy (Allison Matherly and Jeffrey Noble), along with Ema Ri, Charo Oquet, Jason Hackenwerth, Maria Theresa Barbist, Jessy Nite, Mette Tommerup, Rose Marie Cromwell, and Francisco Masó, who won the jury prize. The exhibition features a diverse range of media including paintings, installations, photography, textiles, and sound art, with each artist given their own gallery space.
The Florida Prize matters because it serves as a vital platform for highlighting the breadth and dynamism of contemporary art being produced in Florida, a state often overlooked in the national art conversation. The exhibition brings together artists from across the state—from the Panhandle to Miami—fostering connections and showcasing the region's creative vitality. Notably, this year's edition does not include a Central Florida-based artist, a point of discussion that underscores the evolving geography of Florida's art scene.