ÀNI Art Academies is excited to share that the 9th Annual ÀNI Art Academies Drawing Competition among our apprentices is underway. This annual event is open exclusively to current ÀNI Art Academies apprentices and recognizes the dedication, discipline, and technical development of those working in charcoal.
Each year, the competition is evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, recognized leaders and experts within their respective fields, who assess the submitted works with a focus on skill, control, and perceptual clarity. For the 2026 competition, the panel will award first-, second-, and third-place honors, along with seven Honorable Mentions.
This Year’s Judges:
Tim Reynolds – ÀNI Art Academies Founder
Jeremy Sinsimer – ÀNI Art Academies President
John Manzari – Director, Meyer Gallery
Jordan West – Director, Meyer Gallery
Natalie Featherston – Artist and Educator
Silvia Belviso – Artist and Assistant, Blair School of Realism
Kara Lysandra Ross – Co-Chair and COO, Art Renewal Center
Dru Blair – Artist and Director, Blair School of Realism
Scott Jones – Previous General Manager, Legacy Gallery
Jack Summers – Owner, of Lovetts Gallery
All selected recipients will receive complimentary entry into the ARC Salon, one of the most widely recognized and competitive international exhibitions dedicated to representational art. Inclusion in the ARC Salon offers apprentices meaningful professional exposure, placing their work within a global context of contemporary representational practice and providing valuable visibility among collectors, institutions, and peers.
The ÀNI Art Academies Drawing Competition continues to serve as an important milestone for apprentices, highlighting both individual progress and the rigorous training standards of the Waichulis Curriculum.
Last year’s winners were Methsara D. Arachchige, taking first place for his drawing, The Outcast (ÀNI Sri Lanka), S. M. Hewa Gamage , taking second place for his drawing, The Light of Smile (ÀNI Sri Lanka), and H. K. Praneeth Maleesha, taking third place for his drawing, Little Margaret (ÀNI Sri Lanka).
10 x 8″, Charcoal and White Pastel
