Dear Artists,

We are excited to announce that the 2026 Certification designs are now available for purchase in the Certification website shopping cart!

We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused by the earlier announcement suggesting the program would be delayed until 2027, and we truly appreciate your patience as we worked through those details. We are thrilled to confirm that the program is moving forward in 2026 as originally planned. The designs are ready, and the due dates are listed below for your reference.

After purchasing a design, return from the payment processor to download a PDF of the Portfolio with detailed instructions for applicants. The printed design will be mailed to the address provided. Please note that all printed designs are shipped once a week, with mailings sent out every Friday.

Important Dates to Remember:

· Painted submission must be received between these dates:
October 12 and October 26, 2026.

· Announcement of passing entries on November 14, 2026.

The Certification Committee is here to support you every step of your journey. As educators, we are dedicated to helping you grow and succeed in your artistic endeavors.

We offer a wide range of resources on our website to guide you as you build the skills and confidence needed to become an independent artist. Even if you are not ready to submit this year, these resources remain available to support your continued artistic growth.

We look forward to your participation and can’t wait to see the creativity and artistry you bring to this year’s program!

Warm regards,

Sue Pruett MDA

Certification Chairman