Each year, the AMERICAN ART AWARDS board chooses the best galleries in the nation. Selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online buzz, location, size, socially relevant exhibits, represented artists as well as artist, client and visitor references.
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THE 2026 AMERICAN ART AWARDS
20 BEST GALLERIES
Best in California: CK Contemporaryrepresents the very best in contemporary American and European artists working across a broad range of styles and media. While realism and representational art has long been the focus of the gallery, they continue to showcase artists whose distinct points of view set them apart within genres as far ranging as abstraction to still-life. The gallery has also developed a number of historic artist estates, primarily of mid-century American painters. ARTICLE
Best in Vermont: Front Four Gallerydirector Jack Morris demonstrates excellence through commitment, skill, and pushing limits promoting a dynamic selection of high quality and authentic art by emerging and established artists. In the experimental, elevated space, Vermont’s premier contemporary gallery provides a variety of art related events for the enthusiastic community in addition to revolving exhibitions of world-class art. ARTICLE
Best in South Carolina: In a stunning 24,000 square-foot facility with three exhibition galleries on the lower floor, The Sumter Gallery of Art is a non-profit, community-based institution. For 56 years their mission has been to present and promote the visual arts, to increase the knowledge and appreciation thereof, and to provide visual art and art education opportunities to Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. The upper floor’s seven classrooms comprise the Elizabeth White School of Art.ARTICLE
Best in Arizona: Rising like a gigantic mystical temple in Sedona, this 20,000 sq ft showplace displays the finest of every style from classical to contemporary. Serving private or commercial needs,Exposures International Gallery Of Fine Artoffers small maquettes to monumental bronze and stone sculptures, original oil and acrylic otherworldly paintings, fine art jewelry, enchanting glass art… ARTICLE.
Best in Florida: Four locations equaling 20,000 sq ft gives MAC ART GALLERIES the largest exhibition space in South Florida, and with close proximity to Art Basel & Art Miami, they are a vital part of today’s art culture. Maintains an in-house Multimedia Department complete with digital photography studio, state-of-the-art Gicleé printing facility – with computer-graphic/prepress. For over 20 years, owner Mary Ann Cohen has represented many of the world’s most accomplished and commercial artists: selling internationally to upscale hotels, restaurants, corporations, luxury cruise ships and museums. ARTICLE
Best in Texas: With 30 years of experience in the world of fine art, Thornwood Gallery has earned a reputation for placing high-quality work by international and national artists for residences, corporate offices, and hotels. Their stunning locations in San Antonio and Santa Fe’s famous historic Canyon Road focus on 60 of the finest artists and their work, ranging from abstract to impressionism to realism to photography to sculpture. ARTICLE
Best in Idaho:Idaho Art Gallery offers two locations in the Treasure Valley, the original downtown Meridian and newest gallery downtown Boise with Main Gallery plus curated shows in the Feature Room. Diverse inspiring exhibitions feature local, regional, and national artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics and mixed media – making meaningful connections with art and community. ARTICLE
Best in New Jersey: Riverside Gallery is a 21st century pioneer in exhibiting international and regional artists, showcasing a diverse range of works from abstraction to representation on the topics and the questions that define our time. The Gallery is dedicated to providing opportunities for both established and newer artists, as well as meeting the requirements of high-end collectors and clientele. In Hackensack, NJ, within a close proximity to New York City, playing an important part in the discourse surrounding contemporary art and issues. ARTICLE
Best In Hawaii:Honolulu’s Kaikoa Gallery is a vortex of creativity, culture, and community showcasing a dynamic mix of local artists and internationally recognized names. Founders Robert and Carmelita Andia curate world-class collections with bold contemporary pieces to timeless fine art – and also launch vibrant spirited Hawaiian artists who inspire and transform. ARTICLE
Best in Delaware: For 30 years, Peninsula Gallery, owned and run by Carol and Tony Boyd-Heron, has represented top contemporary artists. With 3,000 sq. ft. to exhibit, it has evolved into one of the largest fine arts galleries in Delaware. ARTICLE
Best in South Dakota:Located in Sioux Falls, Norse Art Space is the state’s only dedicated contemporary-art gallery. Established by artists-educators Joe Schaeffer and Cody Henrichs, the gallery brings museum-calibre exhibitions along with rigorous curatorial and educational context offering serious contemporary discourse to the region. ARTICLE
Best in Pennsylvania: Co-owned by Eva Di Orio and John Mortensen, Soft Machine Gallery is a 1,500-square-foot contemporary art space which hosts dynamic exhibitions and performances. The multi-purpose cultural hub in the Lehigh Valley showcases innovative, challenging contemporary art across diverse mediums—from painting and sculpture to multimedia. ARTICLE
Best in Oregon: Located in Portland’s historic 1914 Ford Building is the prestigious Ford Gallery PDXwhich showcases work from local artists to international artists with special emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. ARTICLE
Best in Missouri: Fresh Gallery’s mission is to deliberately create an immersive, multi-dimensional experience for artists and art lovers. Fresh Gallery is home to the best fine art talent in Southwest Missouri. Located in Springfield, Missouri, Fresh Gallery offers monthly art exhibits, art curation and installation, and is a provider of unique event space filled with traditional and contemporary art. This landmark is a home for artists of all mediums; paintings, jewelry, sculptures, pottery, mixed media, wood, glass, and photography.ARTICLE
Best in Oklahoma: Exhibit C Gallery is a 10,000 sq. ft. art gallery and retail space located in the Horizons District of Oklahoma City. Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, Exhibit C is filled with authentic pieces of artwork handcrafted by Chickasaw and other First American artists from around the world. Additionally, Exhibit C carries gifts such as Bedré Fine Chocolate, Chickasaw Press books, Mahota Textiles and Pendleton items. ARTICLE
Best in Washington: ryan james fine arts is a contemporary Kirkland art gallery representing 25 local and national artists. Founded in 2011 by Ryan James and joined in 2014 by Jessica Kravitz, the gallery exhibits modern, abstract, and conceptual artworks in a variety of mediums. The Best of 425 Art Gallery Award – 425 Magazine. Best Art Gallery – Kirkland Lifestyle Magazine. Merrily Dicks Arts & Culture Award. ARTICLE
Best in West Virginia: Joshua Adamo, owner of the new Paragon Fine Art, purchased the building in 2023 from Marilyn Cooper, who opened Cooper Gallery in the same space nearly 30 years ago. A local design-builder and craftsman, with a history in historic preservation, the transition was something Adamo manifested through two of his lifelong loves—historic buildings and the world of art. ARTICLE
Best in Ohio: Lee Hayden Galleryhas served international art collectors for more than 20 years from Northeastern Ohio. Owner Kevin O’Donnell exhibits new artwork weekly, from original paintings, sculpture and glass– to rare limited edition prints. ARTICLE
Best in Utah: The Compass specializes in expansive spiritual and allegorical art, meaningful timeless works provoking constructive thought and conversation. Located in the historic district of Provo, the gallery favors traditional mediums and expressive representational, semi-representational, and symbolic styles.ARTICLE
PREVIOUS WINNERS / AMERICAN ART AWARDS (2009-present):
ALABAMA Alabama Contemporary Art Center Monty Stabler Galleries
ALASKA Annie Kaill’s Premier Fine Art Gallery
ARIZONA Exposures International Gallery Of Fine Art Bentley Gallery Exposed Gallery The Paulina Miller Gallery
ARKANSAS Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Stephano’s Fine Art Gallery The Cantrell Gallery
CALIFORNIA 111 Minna Gallery Exclusive Collections Galleries Revolver Gallery CODA Gallery The Mcloughlin Gallery David Streets Gallery Sparks Gallery
COLORADO Mirada Fine Art Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Clyfford Still Museum Colorado Fine Arts Center At Colorado College
CONNECTICUT Bruce Museum Westside River Gallery Cavalier Galleries The Fairfield University Art Museum (FUAM)
DELAWARE The Delaware Contemporary
FLORIDA MAC Art Galleries LIK Fine Art Miami LIK Fine Art Key West Art Fusion Galleries City Loft Art Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Art Gallery
GEORGIA Westobou Gallery Hathaway Contemporary Gallery Tew Galleries Black Art In America™ (BAIA)
HAWAII Sunshine Arts LIK Fine Art Lahaina LIK Fine Art Maui
IDAHO Prichard Art Gallery Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery Painter’s Chair Fine Art Gallery Capitol Contemporary Gallery
ILLINOIS Trickster Art Gallery Komechak Art Gallery The Leigh Gallery Jackson Junge Gallery
INDIANA Haan Mansion Museum Of Indiana Art Lubeznik Center For The Arts Grunwald Gallery Of Art CCA Gallery Kuaba Gallery Gallery Forty-Two
IOWA Moberg Gallery
KANSAS Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery Eva Reynolds Fine Arts The Rice Gallery Of Fine Art 2010 Gallery CityArts
KENTUCKY KMAC Contemporary Art Museum E&S Gallery Fine Art Firm Ann Tower Gallery Moreman Gallery
LOUISIANA Arthur Roger Gallery Newcomb Art Museum Octavia Gallery Gryder Gallery Jonathan Ferrara Gallery Stella Jones Gallery
MAINE Portland Museum Of Art Farnsworth Art Museum Mast Cove Gallery June Fitzpatrick Gallery Clarke Gallery Maine Art Hill
MARYLAND Annapolis Marine Art Gallery Divergence Fine Art
MASSACHUSETTS Boston Sculptors Gallery Quidley & Company Michelson Gallery Diana Levine Fine Art
MICHIGAN Lafontsee Galleries Art Leaders Gallery Park West Gallery Water Street Gallery
MINNESOTA Modern Artifact Doubletake Gallery Kolman & Reeb Gallery All My Relations Gallery
MISSISSIPPI The Ohr-O’keefe Museum Of Art Brown’s Fine Art Negrotto’s Gallery & Custom Framing Southern Breeze Gallery Studio Waveland + Gallery
MISSOURI University Of Missouri Museum Of Art And Archeology Hilliard Gallery Kemper Museum Of Contemporary Art Fresh Gallery
MONTANA Dana Gallery Depot Gallery Cawdrey Gallery
NEBRASKA Kiechel Fine Art The Burkholder Project Lewis Art Gallery
NEVADA The Metropolitan Gallery Of Las Vegas Art Museum Sin City Gallery Richardson Gallery Of Fine Art Nevada Museum Of Art Elena Bulatova Fine Art
NEW HAMPSHIRE Rochester Museum Of Fine Arts Mill Brook Gallery Candita Clayton Gallery
NEW JERSEY Evalyn Dunn Gallery Jkk Fine Arts And Gallery Of Modern Symbolism
NEW MEXICO Anderson Museum Of Contemporary Art Blue Rain Gallery Pippin Contemporary Wilder Nightingale Gallery Downey Gallery Thornwood Gallery
NEW YORK Center For Exploratory & Perceptual Arts Arcadia Contemporary Spanierman Gallery Walter Wickiser Gallery LIK Fine Art New York Gallery 23 NY
NORTH CAROLINA Mccoll Fine Art Ambleside Gallery
OHIO Lee Hayden Gallery Dayton Art Solutions
OKLAHOMA Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center Joseph Gierek Fine Art Avondale Galleries 50 Penn Place Gallery Exhibit C Gallery
OREGON Jordan Schnitzer Museum Of Art Bronze Coast Gallery Roger Yost Bay Street Gallery
PENNSYLVANIA James A. Michener Art Museum Philamoca Morton Contemporary Art Gallery Paradigm Gallery + Studio
RHODE ISLAND RISD Museum The Gallery At 17 Peck
SOUTH CAROLINA Mary Martin Galleries Of Fine Art
SOUTH DAKOTA South Dakota Art Museum Prairie Edge Fine Art Gallery
Best in Oregon: Located in Portland’s historic 1914 Ford Building is the prestigious Ford Gallery PDX which showcases work from local artists to international artists with special emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. ARTICLE
