Chairman's Letter: "The International" Grand Prize Award

Each year, the Portrait Society encourages new work to submit to the most respected portrait and figure competition in the world, The International. Artists from every corner of the globe will submit paintings, sculptures, drawings, watercolors and other works on paper to be reviewed for possible selection for awards. Among the many honorable mentions and other prizes, approximately 20 pieces will ultimately be chosen as "in the room" finalists for our annual conference exhibition.

In 2023 the work selected by our judges will be on display at our 25th annual conference celebration in Washington, D.C. One of those works will receive the coveted Grand Prize award. To celebrate the Portrait Society's milestone birthday, next year's Grand Prize award will include a cash prize of $50,000, our largest cash award ever!

Over the years, we have seen thousands of terrific works of art considered by our judges. It's an inspiration to see the love and devotion each and every artist commits to their work, often stretching themselves to new heights. Our longtime chairman, the late Ed Jonas, once committed to paper his thoughts on what he required the judges of the Portrait Society to consider when reviewing the art submitted. Here are some excerpts from his thoughts on judging:

The Standards for the Judging of Works of Art shall be held to the following:

Originality and uniqueness in concept and design 

Technical proficiency within the potential of the medium

Aesthetic sophistication 

Fundamental skill development

The judging should be conducted without subjective nor stylistic prejudice under the mantle of providing each work a fair and honest assessment.