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The International
The 27th annual competition for portraiture and figurative art
![Larson, Jeffrey.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e76c0_e6edf0e212c24df290a15d7769b8db64~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_294,h_335,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Larson%2C%20Jeffrey.jpg)
William F. Draper Grand Prize Winner
Jeffrey Larson Wisconsin, USA
King Hall, 60 x 52”, oil on linen
Draper Grand Prize - $50,000 Cash Award!
You are invited to enter the 27th annual "The International" portrait competition, showcasing the finest in portraiture and figurative art today. The International is the world's premier portrait competition and is open to all artists– members and non-members. A variety of mediums is welcomed and encouraged. The top twenty finalists are required to exhibit their selected original artwork and be present at the prestigious The Art of the Portrait conference in Washington, D.C. May 8-11, 2025, for final judging and awards.
Entry acceptance will close on February 17, 2025. Finalists will be announced March 17, 2025, and on Saturday, May 10, 2025, over $160,000 in cash and awards will be presented, with a $50,000 cash Grand Prize.
Entry Guidelines
Entry Criteria-- All entries must meet the following:
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Must be the artist’s own original design and concept
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Created independently and after March 2021
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For 2D the longest side should not be larger than 60”
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For 3D the size of the piece should weigh no more than 50 pounds and under 8' (preferably under 6')
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For 3D artwork, the submitted work should be in final material, ready for display
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Portrait Society Executive Board Members and Gold Medal recipients are ineligible
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Artists who have won the Draper Grand Prize are ineligible
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Faculty donating their time to teach at The Art of the Portrait are eligible to enter the competition
In addition, no photography, electronic, A.I., computer generated art, or art done in a class, workshop or under supervision is eligible. No digital, mechanical, photo or other transferring to substrate of any kind is acceptable. You must draw/paint the image on your substrate yourself. Digital apps and programs may be used for cropping your own reference photos only. All other media is accepted and encouraged, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Participants are eligible to submit up to three artworks for consideration.
Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Up to three digital image files can be submitted. Note: Sculpture entries can provide up to 3 views of the same piece. Electronic submissions through the Portrait Society of America’s secure site can be uploaded through February 17, 2025.
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Important Dates
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Application Opens: September 23, 2024
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Entry Deadline: February 17, 2025
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Finalist Notification: March 17, 2025
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Exhibition Dates: May 8-11, 2025
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Gala Awards Banquet: May 10, 2025
2024 1st Place Drawing
David Jamieson Illinois, USA
Writer's Block, 24 x 18", graphite
![Weir, Louise.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e76c0_360a6ad2a5254bc38d8cea3dcedd141a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_62,h_68,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Weir%2C%20Louise.jpg)
2024 1st Place Sculpture
Louise Weir Canada
Sima, 18 x 14 x 9.5", ceramic with oil paint
Entry Fee
![Rees, Tim.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e76c0_1521c8b4320242ff9e75af0999e54bd8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_88,h_58,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Rees%2C%20Tim.jpg)
2024 1st Place Painting
Tim Rees Arizona, USA
Her Mother's Locket; Violet at age 3, 24 x 36", oil
The $55 Entry Fee covers up to 3 unique submissions.
Credit cards are accepted on-line with your submission, the fee is non-refundable and must accompany your submission.
If you are selected as a finalist you are required to be in attendance with your artwork to win a prize.
Formatting Your Entry
Make note of these items when formatting your entry:
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Only Digital entries will be accepted
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Up to three digital image files can be submitted on online via our entry form
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Save each file in the following form: JPG or TIFF
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No larger than 3 megabytes each
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Images should ONLY be of the artwork
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Do not include matting frame, etc. in the image
Awards & Recognition
All finalists will be eligible for over $160,000 in cash and prizes. The William F. Draper Grand Prize includes a feature article in International Artist Magazine and a $50,000 cash prize. Finalists also receive recognition in The Art of the Portrait journal and on the Portrait Society's website. Finalists receive complementary tuition to The Art of the Portrait conference as well as other cash and prizes.
2024 2nd Place Winner & People's Choice Award
Jeff Hein Utah, USA
My World, oil on panel, 60 x 48"
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Awards will be presented at the annual conference Saturday, May 10, 2025 in the following categories:
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Grand Prize: An overall selected winner from the finalists’ artworks.
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First Place Drawing
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First Place Painting
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First Place Sculpture
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Six Placement Awards
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Exceptional Merit Awards
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