Portrait Society of America artists Jeff Hein and Susan Lyon conduct a demonstration.

We thrive when we stick together. When we’re truly part of a community. And for artists, art groups and societies can often give us that sense of encouragement, connection and ongoing support. Societies also frequently have member exhibitions, workshops, educational resources, special events, art retreats and so much more. With organizations across the world and online, there’s bound to be something out there that suits your individual style and needs. In the following pages are some of the top artist groups and societies operating today—and they’re looking for new members. 

Blair Atherholt, Drift, oil, 12 x 12” (30 x 30 cm). Courtesy Oil Painters of America.

Oil Painters of America

(815) 356-5987  •  mail@oilpaintersofamerica.com  •  oilpaintersofamerica.com
Oil Painters of America (OPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting representational oil painting. With over 3,500 members across North America, OPA offers a vibrant community for students, emerging artists and professionals alike. Annual membership is $80 and includes access to national juried exhibitions, online showcases, an annual convention with a wet paint competition, paint-outs, workshops, webinars and scholarships. Join or renew your 2026 membership and be part of this inspiring network.

Summer Spitsbergen, Golden Hour, oil, 16 x 20” (40 x 50 cm). Courtesy National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society

National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society

Pat Tribastone  •  contact@noaps.org  •  membership@noaps.org  •  noaps.org
NOAPS supports artists around the world in striving for artistic excellence by recognizing great art, enriching education, enhancing skills, challenging abilities and expanding marketing opportunities. NOAPS’ focus is on providing an environment that inspires artists, evolves talent and creates a venue in which to display artistic talent, nurturing achievement and success while having fun. NOAPS is an international organization that is a leader in contributing to and influencing artists in their pursuit of artistic distinction. NOAPS provides these opportunities to artists by hosting gallery and online shows, world-class competitions, networking, demos and live plein air events throughout the year.

Sherrie A. McGraw, The Renaissance Man, oil on canvas, 20 x 21½” (50 x 54 cm). Courtesy Salmagundi Club.

Salmagundi Club

47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003  •  (212) 255-7740  •  info@salmagundi.org  •  salmagundi.org
The Salmagundi Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created in 1871 by artists and patrons to support and encourage one another in the advancement of art of all kinds. Today’s members and recently past members are some of the most recognized names within representational art, including Max Ginsburg, Richard Schmid, Charles W. Mundy, Daniel E. Greene, Kathy Anderson, Sherrie McGraw, David A. Leffel, Jacob Collins and many more. With an eye toward the future, the club encourages young artists interested in representational art to apply for its junior memberships and scholarships to begin showing in exhibitions.

Beginning in 1917, the organization moved to its permanent home within its historic brownstone mansion located in Greenwich Village, New York City. The mansion hosts hundreds of yearly art exhibitions, painting demonstrations, lectures, concerts, group meetings, classes, workshops, fellow member organization exhibitions and art auctions. The club’s permanent art collection has been built by generous member donations, and its purchase prize awards, made up of more than 1,500 works of art, spans its entire history. Exhibitions of the permanent collection and current living artists are always free to the general public year round.

Colored pencil artists thrive as members of the Colored Pencil Society of America. 

Colored Pencil Society of America

cpsa.org/about/cpsa-governing-board/  •  cpsa.org
A nonprofit founded in 1990, CPSA serves and supports artists who work in the exciting and vibrant fine art medium of colored pencil. Members receive a twice-yearly magazine, member directory and a lightfastness guide for thousands of colored pencils. The society holds two juried exhibitions yearly, and members have the opportunity to earn CPSA signature status and recognition as the best of the best in colored pencil. Regional chapters offer workshops, inspiration and camaraderie. In addition, their annual convention and international exhibition held this year in Prescott, Arizona, is not to be missed, with more than $20,000 in awards.

The 17th Annual IGOR Show in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2023.

International Guild of Realism

Scottsdale, AZ  •   info@realismguild.com  •  realismguild.com
The International Guild of Realism (IGOR) was founded by a group of renowned realist artists in 2005. IGOR now represents the work of over 550 juried members across more than 35 countries. IGOR prides itself in selecting today’s finest realist artists through a jury committee. In addition to recognizing these artists, the organization seeks out exhibition opportunities in the largest art markets, provides their members with professional marketing assistance, and connects these artists with collectors. Along with holding annual gallery exhibitions at some of the best galleries in the United States, IGOR organizes museum tours throughout the country to showcase their members’ work. IGOR’s primary mission is to advance realism in fine art through museum exhibitions, art gallery shows, online exhibitions, workshops and education programs.

The milestone 20th Annual IGOR Exhibition will take place at Principle Gallery in historic Charleston, South Carolina, from June 5 to 30, 2026.

Eric Chauvin, Farewell to a Friend, acrylic on panel, 40 x 27” (101 x 68 cm). Courtesy American Artists Professional League.

American Artists Professional League

admin@aaplinc.org  •  aaplinc.org
Established in 1928 by a group of artists at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, the AAPL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of a wide spectrum of traditional and contemporary realism in American fine art. The AAPL is composed of a curated group of over 600 member artists across the country working in various media. AAPL members’ benefits include a full roster of online and in-person shows; maintenance of an online artwork gallery where works from exhibitions may be sold; two in-person gallery shows in 2026 including the historic Grand National Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club of NY; two online exhibitions, one of which will be open to non-members; the Critique Program where supportive and experienced Signature Members give advice and personalized feedback to artist members who sign up to have their work critiqued for a small donation; promotion through social media posts and much more. 

Artist and educator Lyric Montgomery Kinard.

The Academy for Virtual Teaching

info@academyforvirtualteaching.com  •  academyforvirtualteaching.com
The Academy for Virtual Teaching is a professional organization supporting artists and creative educators who teach. Founded by artist and educator Lyric Montgomery Kinard, AVT provides structured education, peer community and practical guidance for teaching online through live Zoom classes and on-demand instruction. Members gain clarity, confidence and sustainable teaching practices that extend their reach, protect their time and support long-term professional growth.

The academy offers both free and pro memberships, as well as video making crash courses and a virtual teaching masterclass.

Kinard is “an award-winning artist, author and educator, with a passion for sparking the creativity that she knows each of her students possess. She has been recognized for her talents as an International Association of Professional Quilters Teacher of the Year and has traveled the world sharing her love of design, composition and textile art.”

Howard Friedland, Spring Creek Afternoon, oil on linen panel, 12 x 12” (30 x 30 cm). Courtesy American Impressionist Society. 

American Impressionist Society

(231) 881-7685  •  americanimpressionistsociety@gmail.com  •  americanimpressionistsociety.org
Serving artists since 1998, American Impressionist Society was founded to promote the appreciation of impressionism through exhibitions, workshops, critiques, paint-outs, panel discussions, presentations and professional development events. AIS offers members engaging opportunities to enrich their fine art practice. AIS is a nonprofit art organization with over 2,400 members from all 50 states.

Mary Whyte leads a hands-on workshop, working directly from a live model, during one of three pre-conference workshops.

Portrait Society of America

1109 South Magnolia Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301  •   (877) 772-432  •  info@portraitsociety.org  •  portraitsociety.org
Founded in 1998, the Portrait Society of America has grown into a respected international organization serving nearly 4,000 artists, students and patrons of portrait and figurative art. Entirely self-funded, the society is rooted in a commitment to preserving and advancing the traditions of fine art portraiture while encouraging the exchange of ideas across generations and styles. Its members have access to a wide range of educational resources, from International Artist magazine and the Portrait Society’s full-color quarterly journal to conferences, webinars and an active digital presence featuring news and the latest methods and techniques. 

Among the society’s most anticipated gatherings is The Art of the Portrait conference, which returns to Atlanta, Georgia, April 9 to 12 as the organization marks its 28th anniversary.