Ojai, CA — May 2–28, 2026 — The Buenaventura Art Association (BAA) proudly presents its 37th Open Competition, on view May 2 through May 28, 2026 at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai, California. This highly anticipated annual exhibition showcases outstanding original artwork from professional and amateur artists across the region and state.
Artists 18 and older are invited to submit up to three original works created within the past three years. All mediums are welcome, including both 2D and 3D artwork. Submissions are accepted online only through BuenaventuraArtAssociation.org, with a deadline of Sunday, April 19, 2026 (Midnight PDT). Notification of accepted work will be sent on Friday, April 24.
This year’s competition will be juried by distinguished Japanese-American artist and educator Hiroko Yoshimoto, renowned for her acclaimed Biodiversity series and her decades-long impact on the Southern California arts community. Yoshimoto’s work bridges Japanese aesthetics and Western contemporary abstraction, and her thoughtful perspective promises a dynamic and inspiring exhibition.
Awards include:
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $350
- Third Place: $250
- Two Honorable Mentions
All award winners will also receive a complimentary one-year BAA membership.
The exhibition opens May 2, with a Reception & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 9 from 1–3 PM at the Ojai Art Center. The public is warmly invited to attend and celebrate the creativity and diversity of artists from across the area.
Entry fees are $45 for BAA members and $50 for non-members (up to three works), plus a $3 processing fee. A commission structure of 60% to the artist, 30% to BAA, and 10% to the Ojai Art Center applies to sales. All submitted work must be available for purchase.
The Buenaventura Art Association is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists and enriching the cultural life of the community.
For full prospectus details and to enter, visit BuenaventuraArtAssociation.org.
