Founded in 1950, Ridge Art Association has become known among artists throughout the state as a competition gallery, providing five juried competitions per year in a variety of themes and media.  At its current location in Winter Haven's Chain O'Lakes Complex, these competitions are seen by thousands of visitors each year.  The association is also respected for not only providing artists with the opportunity to exhibit, but by consistently providing some of the highest prize money for an organization of its size anywhere.

Ridge Art also focuses attention on area middle and high-school art programs in our dedicated student gallery.  Shows in the student gallery coincide with exhibitions in the main gallery.  In the main gallery, an annual student competition not only awards cash prizes to Polk County art students, but a top prize of a $1000 scholarship to the outstanding senior portfolio.

Ridge Art Association has made great strides by increasing the number of exhibitions and programs available to area artists.  In addition to adding an another invitational exhibition to the schedule, they have opened the lobby area as a gallery space featuring local artists.  The main gallery has also added an annual summer solo exhibition honoring a local artist who has contributed to the local arts community.  A major recent accomplishment took place in 2004 when Ridge Art Association took control of the Central Park Art Festival now in it's 29th year.  According to the Central Florida Visitors and Conventions Bureau, the 2005 Central Park Arts Festival contributed an estimated $800,000 plus to the local economy.

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida  33880

863.291.5661

Web Site Address

Email Address

Christy Hemenway, Executive Director

CAB Member