Mestre Painting Award 2025: record number of participants, now it's time for the Jury to speak.

Registration closed: over 630 applications from all over Italy and abroad. In September, the exhibition of the finalist works at the Candiani Cultural Center, and on October 3rd, the award ceremony at the Toniolo Theater

MESTRE (VE) – The application phase for the 2025 edition of the Mestre Painting Prize, the prestigious competition dedicated to contemporary painting art promoted by the Circolo Veneto in collaboration with the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and with the support of the main local institutions, has officially closed. The organization has announced with satisfaction the figure of approximately 630 registrations, thus confirming the positive trend already recorded in the most successful editions of the past.

“An evident sign of the vitality and increasing attractiveness of the Prize” – stated Cesare Campa, president of the Circolo Veneto – “the result has certainly been contributed to by the initiatives organized by the Circolo Veneto and the support of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, and other partners of the competition, as well as the support from the Municipality for this cultural initiative that transcends the city’s geographical boundaries, offering the world a positive and lively image“.

The geographical origin of the applications shows a rich and articulated picture: about 39% of the artists come from Veneto, while 53% come from the rest of Italy, with a clear prevalence from the north, followed by the south, islands, and center. 8% of the applications are international, with a majority from Europe, followed by Asian and American artists. Also relevant is the age distribution: under 35s make up 26%, over 60s 39%, and the middle range 35%, demonstrating the cross-sectional interest that the competition continues to generate.

Almost half of the candidates are participating for the first time, a sign of the continuous expansion of the pool of artists involved. On the other hand, over half of the registered participants have already taken part in one or more editions, confirming the loyalty of many painters, some of whom have been present since the first editions.

“The award confirms itself as an event capable of attracting artists of all ages and experiences, from all over the world” – added Organizational Coordinator Christiano Costantini – “thanks to the open formula, without thematic or age limits, which aims to promote contemporary painting in all its forms.”

Now the wait is all for the work of the Technical Jury, made up of leading figures in the artistic and cultural world. Chaired by Gianfranco Maraniello, Director of the Modern and Contemporary Museum Center of Milan, the jury includes among its members Elisabetta Barisoni, Art Historian, Head of the International Gallery of Modern Art at Ca’ Pesaro, appointed by the Foundation of the Civic Museums of Venice; Saverio Simi De Burgis, Art Critic and Historian, Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice of Contemporary Art History and History and Methodology of Art Criticism, appointed by the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice; Stefano Cecchetto, Art Historian, curator, and critic, appointed by the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation Institution; Francesca Rossi, Art Historian, Director of the Civic Museums of Verona; Michele Bonuomo, Art Historian and exhibition curator, Director of the monthly magazine ‘Arte’ Cairo Editore; Marco Dolfin, Art Historian and critic, curator of the finalists’ exhibition and secretary of the Jury.

The sixty finalist works will be selected by the summer and will be exhibited at the Candiani Cultural Center in Mestre from September 13 to October 12, 2025. The winners will be announced on October 3 at the Toniolo Theater in Mestre. In addition to the official awards, special recognitions will be given by organizations such as CGIA of Mestre, Rotary Club Venezia Mestre, and the Popular Jury, along with the confirmed Artist Residency at Palazzo Poerio.