Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026 – Finalists' Group Exhibition at MUVEC

Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026 – Finalists' Group Exhibition at MUVEC

The tenth edition of the Premio Mestre Painting Prize features a group exhibition of sixty finalist works on display at MUVEC – Casa delle Contemporaneità in Piazzale Candiani, Mestre. The show provides an overview of contemporary painting, with contributions from national and international artists across different ages, styles and techniques.

• Period: 25 April 2026 – 7 June 2026
• Opening: Friday 24 April 2026 (opening evening); free admission also on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April
• Venue: MUVEC – Casa delle Contemporaneità, Piazzale Candiani 7, Mestre (VE), Italy
• Visiting hours: daily 10:00–18:00, closed on Monday
• Ticket: access with museum ticket during the exhibition period; ticket includes entry to the permanent collection on the second floor

What to see

The collective exhibition gathers works selected by the technical jury from over 600 applicants, highlighting current directions and personal approaches within contemporary painting. The range of languages and techniques offers visitors a broad overview of the contemporary scene.

Jury and awards

The Technical Jury, chaired by art historian Gianfranco Maraniello, selected the sixty finalists. Purchase prize winners will be announced at the award ceremony at Teatro Toniolo in Mestre on the evening of Friday 22 May 2026. The first Purchase Prize will join the permanent collection of Ca' Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art; the second will be acquired by the Municipality of Venice; the third will be donated to the parish of the Duomo of Mestre and exhibited in the Laurentianum hall. Additional recognitions include artist residencies, special prizes from local associations and the People's Jury Prize.

Lifetime Achievement Award 2026: Luciano Zarotti. In Memoriam Recognition: Laura Padoa.

Related events

The exhibition is accompanied by a series of talks in the conference hall at Centro Culturale Candiani (starting at 18:00):

• 21 April 2026 – Luciano Zarotti, Lifetime Achievement 2026
• 5 May 2026 – "The Figures of the Premio Mestre", Paolo Rizzi
• 12 May 2026 – "Laura Padoa", In Memoriam Recognition 2026
• 27 May 2026 – "Winners of the Premio Mestre Painting Prize 2026"

Why visit

The show is a chance to discover emerging and established artists and to observe the latest trends in contemporary painting. The MUVEC venue enhances the cultural offer of the Venetian mainland and allows visitors to combine the temporary exhibition with the permanent collection.

For ticket information, guided tours or updates on related events, check the museum website or local information channels before attending.

Location

Address: Piazzale Luigi Candiani, 30174 Venice (Mestre) – VE, Italy.