National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society | 10/3-10/25 | Indianapolis, IN

A Superb Selection

The Best of America Exhibition showcases exceptional paintings in oil and acrylic.

By Alyssa Tidwell

The National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS) hosts the 35th edition of its Best of America International Juried Exhibition this October, featuring artists from across the United States and beyond. This year’s exhibition will be held at James R. Ross Fine Art Gallery in Indianapolis, Indiana, and offers an opportunity for artists to win one of 33 awards, totaling over $35,000 in cash prizes. The panel of judges includes prestigious artists Brian Burt, Ray Hassard and Joseph Orr, founder of NOAPS.

Ann Moeller, The Awakening Light, oil, 31 x 23 in. Best of Show, 2024 Best of America Exhibition.

“The 2025 Best of America International Juried Exhibition will showcase some amazing artists new to NOAPS as well as our well-known artists,” says Pat Tribastone, the organization's president. “We are looking forward to portraits by Jian Wu, Evee Erb and Susan Perrish. Paula Holtzclaw, Bill Farnsworth and Del-Bouree Bach have some spectacular landscapes, and artists such as Chris Thomas and Trish Wend showcase the beauty of still life. This year’s panel of award judges…have agreed to do the artist talk at the gallery, where they will discuss their thoughts on a selection of paintings.”

Artists pose for a photo at the 2024 Best of America Exhibition.

Other artists juried into the 2025 show include Christine Rapa, Robert Akers, Tatiana Zubova, Molly Sims, James Swanson, Fengshi Jin, Bobbie Brainerd, Linda Besse, Steve Stauffer, Hebe Brooks, Robin Williamson, Mary Hubley, James Coe, Kim Diment, Marcia Ballowe, Tad Retz and many more.

Jason Dowd, The Geisha’s Tale, oil, 18 x 14 in. Best Still Life, 2024 Best of America Exhibition.

A Plein Air Paint Out & Competition takes place September 30 and October 1, culminating with the submissions on Thursday, October 2, which is then followed by a lively demonstration by lyrical artist CW Mundy. The awards presentation also takes place on October 2, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The Best of America International Juried Exhibition will be on display at James R. Ross Fine Art Gallery from October 3 to 25. —