Celebrating Excellence. Preserving Legacy.
The Canadian Portraiture Legacy 2026
Recognizing the Faces That Shape a Nation.
Where Art Becomes History.
The Canadian Portraiture Legacy is a distinguished annual recognition dedicated to honoring the finest portrait artists in Canada. More than an award, it is a cultural tradition — preserving artistic excellence and celebrating the legacy of portraiture as a timeless art form.
Mission Statement
The Canadian Portraiture Legacy exists to celebrate, preserve, and elevate the art of portraiture in Canada. By recognizing exceptional talent and innovation, the award seeks to inspire future generations, foster national pride, and ensure that the stories of our time live on through the enduring language of art.
Thank you for being part of the 2025 Portrait Artist Finalists Event!
We’re excited to share that beginning in 2026, this celebration will continue under a new name: The Canadian Portraiture Legacy — honoring not just one year of portraiture, but a lasting contribution to Canada’s cultural heritage.
Competition Details
The competition will be structured in two distinct categories to provide a fair platform for all artists:
- Emerging Artists: For artists who are in the early stages of their professional careers.
- Established Artists: For artists with significant experience and recognition in the art world.
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted online by May 31, 2026.
- Finalist Notification: Finalists will be notified by June 15, 2026.
- Artwork Delivery: Finalists must deliver their physical artwork to Urban Art Studio 101 by July 15, 2026.
- Live Painting Sessions:
- Emerging Artists Week: August 1-7, 2026
- Established Artists Week: August 15-21, 2026
- Gala & Awards Ceremony: The competition will culminate in an exclusive gala and awards ceremony where winners will be announced and celebrated.
Eligibility & Rules
- Residency: The competition is open to all Canadian residents aged 18 and older.
- Medium: Accepted media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, or mixed media.
- Originality: All submitted artwork must be original and created solely by the artist.
- Live Painting: Finalists will be required to participate in a live painting session at the Urban Art Studio 101 venue in downtown Edmonton. Artists will have 5 hours to paint a live model provided by the studio.
Awards & Recognition
Winners in each category will receive a prize package designed to advance their careers, including:
- A prestigious plaque and certificate of achievement.
- A comprehensive art supply package.
- Exhibition opportunities at a respected gallery.
- National media and social media promotion.
The judges’ decision is final. While artists retain all copyrights to their work, participation in the competition grants Urban Art Studio 101 the right to use images of the artwork for promotional and archival purposes.
We are honored to welcome you to the first annual Canadian Portraiture Legacy. We look forward to seeing your incredible talent and celebrating the art of portraiture with you.
