Precious Pets Portrait Contest

Each year, the Art League of North Florida and Gateway Art Gallery host our annual Precious Pets Portrait Contest, celebrating the bond between people and their pets through art.

Artists of all ages are invited to create likenesses of their favorite furry, feathered, or scaly friends. The community helps decide the winners by casting $1 votes for their favorite entries, with proceeds supporting a local animal-related nonprofit. It’s a friendly competition that brings together art lovers, pet owners, and animal advocates — all for a great cause. Scroll down to see this year’s entries and past winners, and join us next year to take part in the fun!

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2025 Winners

• 1st Place: John Stokes — “Roscoe and Tyler” 672 votes
• 2nd Place: MJ Stoeker — “Merry Marzen Mayhem” 474 votes
• 3rd Place: Ron Baughn — “Doodles” 198 votes
• 4th Place: Laura Hunter-Null — “Bath Time for Bruiser” 108 votes
• 5th Place: Dolly Robinson – “Annie Tim” 103 votes

View all entries online here

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Contest will return in September 2026!

Rules for contest entry:

• Free entry for Art League members. $10 for non-members.
• Open to all ages. 1 entry per person.
• Pet must be—or have been—your own or your family’s pet.
• Any medium or safe materials may be used.
• Must be securely wired for hanging and able to hang flat on a wall.

If you’d like to nominate an animal-related charity for next year’s collaboration, fill out the form below. Nominee organizations must:

• Be a register charitable organization (501(c)(3) or other official designation) in the service of caring for animals in some capacity
• Operate in a service area that includes Columbia County
• Agree to promote the contest on social media, website, and all other available channels
• Have a designated representative at all official Contest events (opening reception and winners announcement, etc.)
• Agree that funds from entry fees and votes for winning entries will be split 50/50 with the Gateway Art Gallery

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