Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026: finalists' group exhibition at MUVEC

Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026 – Finalists' Group Exhibition

The tenth edition of the Premio Mestre Painting Prize stages a group exhibition featuring sixty works chosen by the technical jury, on display at MUVEC – Casa delle Contemporaneità in Mestre. The exhibition presents a cross-section of current tendencies in contemporary painting, with contributions from both national and international artists using varied languages and techniques.

Practical information

• Period: 25 April 2026 – 7 June 2026
• Opening: Friday 24 April 2026 (evening)
• Free admission: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026
• Venue: MUVEC – Casa delle Contemporaneità, Piazzale Luigi Candiani 7, Mestre (VE)
• Visiting hours: daily 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays
• Ticket: museum ticket required; admission includes access to the permanent collection on the second floor

What to see

The group show brings together works selected from over 600 entrants, enabling visitors to compare personal paths and emerging tendencies in contemporary painting. The MUVEC installation enhances the viewing experience and allows supplementation with the museum's permanent collection.

Jury, awards and acknowledgements

The Technical Jury, chaired by art historian Gianfranco Maraniello, selected the sixty finalists. The Purchase Prize winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the Teatro Toniolo in Mestre on 22 May 2026. The first Purchase Prize will enter Ca' Pesaro's permanent collection – International Gallery of Modern Art; other prizes will be allocated to municipal heritage and local institutions.

Related events

• 21 April 2026 – Lecture on Luciano Zarotti, Career Award 2026 (Centro Culturale Candiani, 18:00)
• 5 May 2026 – "The Characters of the Premio Mestre", Paolo Rizzi (Centro Culturale Candiani, 18:00)
• 12 May 2026 – Session dedicated to Laura Padoa, Memorial Recognition 2026 (Centro Culturale Candiani, 18:00)
• 27 May 2026 – "The winners of the Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026" (Centro Culturale Candiani, 18:00)

Why visit

This exhibition is a chance to discover emerging artists alongside established names, to observe contemporary painting trends, and to see how MUVEC showcases new artistic proposals on the Venetian mainland. Check the museum's official channels before visiting for any updates on hours, tickets and guided tours.

Location

Piazzale Luigi Candiani 7, 30174 Venice (Mestre) – check MUVEC ticket office for details.