Orlando Museum of Art Celebrates the 2026 Florida Prize Preview Party
Orlando, FL — The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) welcomed artists, collectors, patrons, and members of the community to the highly anticipated 2026 Florida Prize Preview Party on May 29, celebrating the opening of the 12th Annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art.
The event offered guests an exclusive first look at the largest Florida Prize exhibition to date, featuring twelve groundbreaking artists and collaborative duos whose work reflects the diversity, innovation, and cultural energy shaping contemporary art in Florida today.
Throughout the evening, attendees experienced immersive installations, painting, photography, sculpture, weaving, assemblage, and site-specific works while enjoying culinary creations inspired by the exhibiting artists and prepared by some of Central Florida’s most exciting chefs.
This year’s featured artists include:
Maria Theresa Barbist, Rose Marie Cromwell, Jason Hackenwerth, Meredith Laura Lynn & Katie Hargrave, Francisco Masó, Jessy Nite, Charo Oquet, Ema Ri, Mette Tommerup, and “Nice’n Easy” duo Allison Matherly and Jeffery Noble.
As part of the celebration, the prestigious $20,000 Florida Prize was awarded by this year’s juror, Jade Powers, The Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Curated by Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon and Katherine Page, the exhibition highlights artists whose practices explore themes of language, identity, memory, ritual, communication, and cultural heritage through visually compelling and conceptually rich works.
Proceeds from the Preview Party support the Florida Prize exhibition and the Orlando Museum of Art’s educational programs, reinforcing OMA’s commitment to fostering creativity, dialogue, and access to contemporary art throughout the community.
The 12th Annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art remains on view at the Orlando Museum of Art through the summer of 2026.
2026 Florida Prize Artists:
Left to Right: Maria Theresa Barbist, Rose Marie Cromwell, Jason Hackenwerth, Katie Hargrave and Meredith Laura Lynn, Francisco Masó, Jessy Nite, Charo Oquet, Ema Ri, Mette Tommerup, “Nice’n Easy” duo Allison Matherly and Jeffery Noble
Maria Theresa Barbist @Mariabarbist
Rose Marie Cromwell @rorosiemarie
Jason Hackenwerth @Hackenwerth
Meredith Laura Lynn @Meredithlauralynn
Katie Hargrave @Katie_hargrave
Francisco Masó @Fcomaso
Jessy Nite @jessynite
Charo Oquet @charooquet
Ema Ri @ema____ri____
Mette Tommerup @mettetommerup
Nice’n Easy @Weareniceneasy
