Jacob Hayes earned his BFA in painting from the University of Kansas and completed his MFA in 2014 at the New York Academy of Art where he studied oil painting.
Hayes’ paintings have been featured in both solo and group exhibitions including the 2026 NSMA International Painting Competition, the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery, London, “Artists by Artists” at Forum Gallery, New York, “About Face” at the South Hampton Art Center, South Hampton NY, and “Summer Exhibition” at Flowers Gallery, NY. Career highlights and link to Jacob’s CV below.
Jacob currently lives and paints in New Hampshire.
Awards and Career Highlights
NSMA International Painting Competition
2026 Finalist, New Salem Museum and Academy of Fine Art, New Salem, Massachusetts. More information here.
One of 63 paintings chosen from nearly 1,600 submissions by artists from 44 countries
New American Paintings
Chosen to be featured artists in 2022 edition New American Paintings, West Issue #156
Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition
2019 Semifinalist, Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2019, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
BP Portrait Award
Finalist, BP Portrait Award 2016 Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London. The exhibition also traveled to the Usher Gallery in Lincoln and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.
One of 53 portraits selected from over 2,500 submissions by artists from more than 80 countries
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation
Grant recipient in 2018, for artists working in a representational style and demonstrate the determination and talent to pursue lifetime career in their art practice.
Eric Fischl Artist-in-Residence
Eric Fischl Artist-in-Residence, West Nottingham Academy, Maryland, Spring 2017
Artist Residency in Istanbul, Turkey
Selected to participate in new month-long residency through New York Academy of Art, 2014
