About the Artist

Scott W. Prior is an award winning oil painter and Southern California native. He received his BFA from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA where he studied under the exceptional artists Craig Nelson, Bill Maughan and Hui Han Lui. During his time at the Academy of Art Scott established his skills in design, drawing and painting, giving him a solid foundation with which to develop his own unique, artistic style. Scott draws inspiration from the beauty in ordinary, everyday scenes.

Scott is Signature Member of the California Art Club and a Signature Member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. He has exhibited in national shows, juried competitions and invitational events across the country, including the California Art Club’s Annual Gold medal show at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, exhibitions at the Frederick Weisman Museum of Art, the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD, and in the prestigious Oil Painters of America National Show. Recently, his painting “Market Street Hustle’ was acquired by the Hilbert Museum in Orange, CA.

Other awards and recognitions from Oil Painters of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Carmel Art Festival and The Bower’s Museum Plein Air Show, among many others.  During the 13th Annual Carmel Art Festival Plein Air Competition, he was honored with the “Emerging Artist Award” by Art & Antique Magazine.  In addition, Scott has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, Plein Air Magazine, American Artist Magazine and  Southwest Art Magazine.

Recent Shows and Awards (Partial List)

Summer 2026 Plein Air Easton, Easton MD, awarded an Honorable Mention, Judges Award

Summer 2026 115th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, the Hilbert Museum

Winter 2026 Maui Plein Air Invitational, Village Galleries

Spring 2025 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta Ga. awarded Spirit of Atlanta Award

Winter 2025 Maui Plein Air Invitational, Village Galleries, Awarded Best of Maui Award for best body of work 

Summer 2024 113th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, the Hilbert Museum, awarded Gold Medal Award for Best Architecture

Summer 2023 112th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, the Bowers Museum, awarded Gold Medal Award for Best Architecture

Spring 2019 Pasadena Museum of California Art, 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Spring 2018 Pasadena Museum of Natural History, 107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Spring 2017 Autry Museum, 106th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Spring 2016 Autry Museum, 105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Spring 2015 Pasadena Museum of California Art, 104th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Fall 2013 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational, BEST OF SHOW
Winter 2013 Maui Plein Air Invitational, Honorable Mention
Winter 2013 Maui Plein Air Invitational, Makana Aloha Fondation's Award of Excellence
Fall 2012 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational Plein Air Magazine, Award of Excellene
Summer 2012 The Autry Museum, 101st Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
Fall 2011 One man show, Then and Now, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena
Spring 2011 Pasadena Museum of California Art, 100th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition

Recent Publications (Partial List)

Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, featured in the  March 2016 issue, Three to Watch section, written by Peter Trippi
SouthWest Art Magazine, full feature article in the December issue 2013, Everyday Inspiration, by Norman Kolpass
American Artist Magazine feature article in the June issue 2008, Painting Urban Scenes, by James Metcalfe
SouthWest Art Magazine feature article in the June issue, 2008, My World, by Bonnie Gangelhoff
American Art Collector Magazine feature article March 2007, Land of light, by Joshua Rose
SouthWest Art Magazine featured in the Artist to Watch section, September issue 2007, by Bonnie Gangelhoff

Books

Land of Sunlight, Contemporary paintings of San Diego County, book published by San Diego Flora

California Light, published by Rizzoli Publishing from New York, Celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the California Art Club,

Collectors (Partial List)

The Hilbert Museum, Orange, CA
The Irvine Museum, Irvine, CA
Mr. Jean Stern, Executive Director of the Irvine Museum, Irvine CA
Mr. John Moran, Moran Auctioneer House, Alta Dena, CA
Mrs. Joan Irvine Smith, Irvine Museum, Irvine, CA
Mr. & Mrs. Jerald Springer, Jerry Springer Show, Sarasota, FL
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens, MD

Professional Memberships

California Art Club, Signature Member
Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Signature Member