The 5th Annual Artists to Watch Art Competition has officially released its category winners, marking a significant milestone for the international competition. The results, which were updated on November 3, 2026, highlight top talent across several distinct artistic disciplines.
The competition identified first-place winners in four primary categories. Ria Klompmaker-Troost secured first place in the abstract/experimental category, while Desirée Rose Zaslow took the top spot in the landscape/cityscape category. In the portrait/figure category, Takashi Ogihara was named the winner, and Daniel Wornicov earned first place in the animal/wildlife category. Additionally, Gail Wegodsky was recognized as a first-place winner in an additional category.
The winners represent a diverse geographical spread, reflecting the global reach of the competition. Participating artists and winners are located in Wageningen, Netherlands; Holmdel, New Jersey, United States; Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan; Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States; and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States.
In addition to the first-place honors, the competition provides second- and third-place awards for each category. While the specific monetary prize amounts were not disclosed in the official report, the announcement serves as a major recognition for the emerging artists involved.