Orlando Museum of Art announces winner of the People’s Choice Award for Florida Prize in Contemporary Art

Following a public vote that lasted all summer long, Kandy G Lopez has been recognized for her powerful multimedia portraits celebrating individuality, strength and dignity.

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is proud to announce that Kandy G Lopez has been selected as the winner of the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice Award, securing a $5,000 prize. The award, presented by AdventHealth, was decided by more than 9,000 public votes cast throughout the summer, recognizing Lopez’s outstanding contributions to contemporary art.

Lopez, a multimedia portrait artist based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, uses fiber to create compelling portraits of people of color, challenging traditional historical art depictions. Her portraits capture the dignity and humanity of everyday people, using intricate materials like yarn and hook mesh to evoke their distinctive personalities. Lopez’s subjects, many of whom are people she encounters on the street, exude an aura of nobility, confronting the viewer with a powerful gaze that asserts their identity and claim to space.  

“It was an honor to be a part of this show, and I’m really happy to have been picked for this,” Lopez shared during her acceptance speech. “Even for me to pick my favorite artist in this exhibition was really hard, so to be able to come here and win People’s Choice Award is really sweet. This art is for the community, and I am proud to be recognized for it.”

The People’s Choice Award is a key part of the Florida Prize exhibition, an annual exhibition that highlights the most progressive and impactful artists working in Florida. This year’s exhibition also features work by Nathalie Alfonso, Eddie Arroyo, Leo Castañeda, Kelly Joy Ladd, Amanda Linares, Jiha Moon, Troy Simmons, Cornelius Tulloch and Lisu Vega, exploring timely and impactful cultural themes.

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This year, for the first time, the public was invited to cast their votes throughout the summer, extending the voting period and providing a unique opportunity for the community to engage more deeply with the exhibition. Each artist showcased exceptional works reflecting Florida’s vibrant contemporary art scene, and Lopez’s artwork stood out for its dynamic fusion of portraiture, fashion and social commentary, celebrating individuality while pushing against the boundaries of traditional representation.

“Through her powerful work, Kandy G Lopez invites us to see the world through a different lens, celebrating everyday people in a way that challenges conventional narratives,” said Cathryn Mattson, OMA CEO. “Her powerful fiber portraits invite viewers to engage with complex themes of representation, and we are proud to see her work celebrated by so many in our community.”

The last day to view this year’s Florida Prize exhibition is Sunday, August 24.

For more information on the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, OMA’s sponsors, and upcoming events, please visit www.omart.org. 

About the Orlando Museum of Art: Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is a leading cultural institution in the Southeast, dedicated to stimulating creativity and intellectual curiosity by connecting people from all backgrounds and experiences with compelling art and new ideas.

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