For more than a decade, the annual AcrylicWorks art competition has been recognizing the incredible skill and talent of today’s acrylic artists. In this 11th year of the competition, we were delighted to have painter Joe Gyurcsak serve as the Juror of Awards. Take a look at his selections for the top three awards and find out what it was about these works that caught his eye and earned his admiration. You can learn more about these three painters and see all 119 honored paintings in the publication The Best of Acrylic (Fall 2024), a special showcase that not only applauds artistic excellence but also celebrates a thriving acrylic community that just keeps getting stronger. 

Grand Prizewinners

First Place

From the Juror

“Neighboring Field captured my attention early in the judging process. It sums up the definition of abstract realism in a single vision. The painting is an interpretation of a delicately coated winter landscape covered with frost in a carefully controlled and compress value structure. The subtilties of light conveyed in this majestic organic tapestry are impressive. When a painting can accomplish such a level of mastery, it’s well deserving of the highest honor.”

Second Place

From the Juror

“The painting, Unique, is the story of life. I see the spiritual light above shining on the leaves on a brilliantly lit day. As you view it, you realize that the leaves are decaying, a subtle reminder that life is also passing by. The overall graphic design is very strong. Even from a distance, the leaf patterns, shapes, varied sizes and colors are well positioned. The leaves are in a wonderful rhythmic dance, which adds to the overall abstract and organic sensitivity. The sky and tree trunks are keyed down in value, so the illumination of light on the leaves keeps the viewer totally engaged in this pictorial wonderment.”

Third Place

From the Juror

“This painting, Environment, achieves a meticulous balance, while exuding an intuitive feel. Its color harmony is calculated and sublime, radiating a Zen-like quality in its application. The interplay of counterbalance and division, punctuated by dark accents and delicate linear shapes, creates a compelling visual experience.”

Category Finalists

Land & Sea Category Finalists

Carol Borrett

Chantal Bourque 

Suzana Bulatovic

Lil Clinard

Scott Coulter

Matthew J Cutter

Patrick Egger

Jody Futterman

Bob Gherardi

Evgeniya Goldobina

Marc R. Hanson

Rebecca Kiser

Aaron A. Lade

Susan Lucas

Bruce Makinney

Jey E. Moore

Lynn Neuman

Joe A. Oakes

Sam Paonessa

Sam Paonessa

Nancy Roberts

Margaret Roseman

Jennifer L. Sowders

Anda Styler

Megan Whitfield 

Beyond the prizes and the glory, juried competitions provide artists with the motivation to work toward a goal, stretch themselves and aim beyond even their own expectations. The annual AcrylicWorks art competition offers a unique opportunity for acrylic enthusiasts to participate in a medium-specific competition with winners celebrated in this special, newsstand publication, The Best of Acrylic. Look for information and entry details about the next competition, AcrylicWorks 12, as well as Call for Entry announcements for all our fine art competitions here.