The Keller Prize 2026

I am Shelly Hamill.  Jane Keller was my grandmother.  She was a huge influence in my decision to become an artist.  Jane painted landscapes of Texas in oil from photographs she took along the country roads she traveled in her and my grandfather's antique business.  She painted from photographs and memory with no formal training.  My grandparents had a table in their antique store reserved for smaller items and the proceeds from the table went into a piggy bank at the front of the store for myself and my sister.  It is in this spirit I have created The Keller Prize.  

​I encourage artists from all backgrounds and all disciplines to apply.  While Jane was a landscape painter, submissions will be accepted in different mediums. 

Each year a gallerist from an Aspen art gallery is chosen to be the judge. This year we welcome Mia Valley of Valley Fine Art as the judge for 2026.   Mia operated a traditional brick-and-mortar gallery in the heart of downtown Aspen for twenty-five years, transitioning to Private online and by Appointment in 2024. She has specialized in the work of Edward Curtis for over three decades. Based in her hometown of Aspen, Colorado. An expert in building important collections for her clients, Valley pulls from her resources of fine paintings, photography, and sculpture to cultivate a museum art collection that reflects her clients’ aesthetic.

​Clients from across the globe seek Valley’s expertise when researching and purchasing important works. Her keen eye and finely trained understanding of quality, condition, and provenance enable her to build truly remarkable collections for her clients.

Judges decisions are final and no refunds will be offered once a submission has been accepted.  Artists who contact the judge directly will be removed from the online gallery and will forfeit their submission.

​All submissions will be shown in an online gallery on The Keller Prize website and may be featured on Instagram and Facebook.   Artists who submit their work, agree to have images of their work to be used in print and online media.

There is a submission fee for this call of $55. The submission fee helps to defray the administrative costs of making the call available and for the prize monies.