Masterpiece in a Day 2026

Entrants must be 14 years old or older to compete and win prizes. Entrants aged 14-18 must have a parent present. Schedule: 9:00am – 11:00am, Art Competition Check-In in front the old La Margarita location, on the southwest corner of Virginia and Woodlawn.
9:00 Art Competition Begins
3:00 Art Competition Ends: All pieces placed inside Murphy Building/La Marg for judging
3:30 – 4:30 Judging
5:00 Awards Ceremony at the previous drop-off location.
Premise: Artists will spend the day outside in Fountain Square creating a work of art from 9 am to 3 pm. At 3 pm the artwork will be submitted for judging.
Subject: No restrictions other than it must be appropriate for public presentation; Masterpiece in a Day is a family-friendly event.
Entry: All entrants must sign in the day of the competition. No prior work is allowed. Work must be completed in Fountain Square between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and must be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. All artists must transport their work to the judging site.
The work place boundaries are Pleasant Street to the north, Olive Street to the east, Barth Street to the south, the west side of Virginia Ave. to the west (including the Cultural Trail and outdoor areas), with an angled boundary of Buchanan Street down the alley to Hosbrook Street to cap off the northwest. Participants must be aware careful around the ongoing street construction.
*2 Dimensional –Includes painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and most textiles. These entries are primarily on a flat plane.
*3 Dimensional – Sculptures and entries that occupy space and are intended to be viewed from multiple angles. These entries are not intended to be site specific. These items must be delivered to the judging area and artists will be responsible for their own display set-up as well as tear-down. *No “site required” installation category
1st Prize $1000
2nd Prize $500
3rd Prize $250
The prize-winning pieces will become the property of the Fountain Fletcher District Association. Prize money is considered a purchase price for the piece.
Judging: Winners will be selected by a panel of three judges, each a member of the Indianapolis art community.
Display: Winning entries, and the top ten entries held otherwise, will be placed on public display, at a Fountain Square location for the October First Friday. Fountain Fletcher District Association will photograph and publish all works selected, and retains the right to display or sell copies of these works, and to use them for promotional purposes. Proceeds from the sale will fund subsequent years’ Masterpiece in a Day activities.