Awards & Recognitions

Richard Wilson’s journey as an internationally acclaimed award-winning contemporary artist is distinguished by a series of prestigious awards and honors. Each accolade highlights his dedication to creating powerful, original narratives through his art. These recognitions emphasize his significant impact on the art world and his commitment to meaningful storytelling.

  • 2025 Best in Show Drawing/Printmaking/Graphics Category
    Atlanta Dogwood Fine Art Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2025 Best In Show 2D Award
    Lake Nona Art Festival - Orlando, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    2025 Best In Show 2D Award
    50th Annual Mount Dora Art Festival - Mount Dora, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Honorable Mention
    Calm After the Storm 
    – Landscape & Interior category (Juried Exhibition) in the 26th Annual Pastel 100 Competition

    2024 Honorable Mention
    Under the Cotton Clouds 
    – Landscape & Interior category (Juried Exhibition) in the 26th Annual Pastel 100 Competition

    2024 Sand Dollar Award
    Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show – Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Third Place Award
    Neptune Art Festival – Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Judges Choice Award
    Festival in The Park – Charlotte, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Best in Show Drawing
    Park City Kimball Art Festival – Park City, UT (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Juror Award in Drawing Category
    Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Juror Award in Mixed Media Category
    Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Best in Show Drawing/Printmaking/Graphics Category
    Atlanta Dogwood Fine Art Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Third Place
    Bayou City Art Festival Downtown - Houston, TX (Juried Exhibition)

    2024 Best In Show
    Mount Dora Art Festival - Mount Dora, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    2023 First Place
    Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2023 Merit Award
    Festival in the Park - Charlotte, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2023 Best In Show
    Ann Arbor State Street District Art Fair, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Juried Exhibition)

    2023 Juror's Choice 2D Award
    Columbus Arts Festival - Columbus, Ohio (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Friends of Virginia MOCA Award of Distinction in Fine Art
    66th Annual Boardwalk Artshow –Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Best In Show
    Festival in the Park - Charlotte, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Best In Show
    Lazy Daze Arts Festival - Cary, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Best In Show
    Columbus Arts Festival - Columbus, Ohio (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Merit Award
    Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2022 Best In Show
    Naples National Art Show - Naples, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2021 First Place
    Artisanville Fine Art Show - Greenville, South Carolina (Juried Exhibition)

    2021 Thomas A. Felton, Jr. Award of Distinction in Fine Art
    65th Annual Boardwalk Artshow –Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2021 Best In Show
    Artsplosure - The Raleigh Art Festival - Raleigh, North Carolina (Juried Exhibition)

    2021 Award of Merit
    An Occasion for the Arts - Williamsburg, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2021 Second Place
    Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    River Arts Festival - Memphis, Tennessee (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Bethesda Row Art Festival - Bethesda, Maryland (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    St. James Court Art Festival (Belgravia Section) - Louisville, Kentucky (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best New Artist
    Armonk Outdoor Art Show - Armonk, New York (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 First Place
    Arts & Apples Art Festival - Rochester, Michigan (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Boardwalk Art Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Art Beats & Eats - Royal Oaks, Michigan (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Art Fair On The Square - Madison, Wisconsin (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Boardwalk Art Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Festival Award
    Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best In Show
    Artisphere Fine Arts Festival - Greenville, SC (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Most Unique
    New Orleans Jazz Festival (Congo Square) - New Orleans, Louisiana (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 Best of Show
     Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2019 First Place
    Coconut Grove Art Festival - Coconut Grove, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Best in Show
    Pastel Journal Founder's Award in Memory of Maggie Price (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Best In Category
    Bethesda Row Art Festival - Bethesda, Maryland (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Second Place
    Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Juror's Choice Award
    Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Best of Show
    Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 First Place
    Coconut Grove Art Festival - Coconut Grove, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2018 Award of Excellence
    Mount Dora Arts Festival - Mount Dora, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    2017 Best In Show / Drawing
    River Arts Festival - Memphis, TN (Juried Exhibition)

    2017 Judges Choice Award
    Artsplosure - The Raleigh Art Festival - Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2017 Best In Show
    Artisphere Fine Arts Festival - Greenville, SC (Juried Exhibition)

    2017 Merit Award
    Main St. Arts Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Second Place Award
    Virginia Beach Neptune Arts Festival - Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Invitation Award
    Plaza Art Fair - Kansas City, Missouri (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Merit Award
    Columbus Art Festival - Columbus, Ohio (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Best of Drawing/Printmaking/Graphics Category
    Virginia Highland Art Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Honorable Mention Award
    Artsplosure - The Raleigh Art Festival - Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Merit Award -
    Main St. Art Festival - Fort Worth, Texas (Juried Exhibition)

    2016 Best in Drawing/Printmaking/Graphics Category
    Atlanta Dogwood Fine Art Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 MWBE Excellence Award
    Minority & Women Business Enterprise - GUC & City of Greenville, NC (Selected)

    2015 Best of Show Drawing/ Printmaking /Pastel Category
    Atlanta Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 Best in Show
    Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival - Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 Honorable Mention
    Artisphere Fine Art Festival - Greenville, SC (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 Award of Distinction
    Winter Park Art Festival - Winter Park, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 First Place
    Coconut Grove Art Festival - Coconut Grove, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2015 Third Place
    East Carolina University “AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE IN EASTERN NC” Community Celebration Reception & Art Exhibition –Greenville, North Carolina (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Award of Distinction
    Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival - Pensacola, Florida(Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Award of Merit
    Plaza Arts Festival - Kansas City, Missouri (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Best of Show Drawing/ Printmaking /Pastel Category
     Atlanta Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Best in Show
    Uptown Art Fair - Minneapolis, MN (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Thomas A. Felton, Jr. Award of Distinction in Fine Art
    59th Annual Boardwalk Artshow & Festival–Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Award of Merit
    Columbus Arts Festival - Columbus, OH (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Award of Merit 

    Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival - Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 Best in Drawing Category
    A-RTS Rockville Town Square Fine Art Festival - Rockville, MD (Juried Exhibition)

    2014 First Place
    Coconut Grove Art Festival - Coconut Grove, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2013 Best of Show
    Chastain Park Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2013 First Place
    Centerfest Fine Art Festival - Durham, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2013 Best of Painting Watercolor/ Pastel Category
    Atlanta Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2013 Second Place
    Artisphere Fine Art Festival - Greenville, SC (Juried Exhibition)

    2013 Best in Drawing / Printmaking / Graphics Category
    Atlanta Dogwood Fine Art Festival - Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    2012 Third Place
    Centerfest Fine Art Festival - Durham, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2012 Artistic Merit Award
    North Carolina Statewide Exhibit - On Common Ground: Pastel Paintings From the Mountain to the Sea  - Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2012 Third Place
    Artisphere Fine Art Festival - Greenville, SC (Juried Exhibition)

    2011 NAACP Hall of Legends "Trailblazer Award"
    Pitt County NAACP Greenville, North Carolina (Selected)

    2011 First Place
    St. Stephens Arts Show 2011, Coconut Grove, Florida (Juried Exhibition)

    2010 Award of Merit
    Gold Coast Art Fair, Chicago, Illinois

    2010 First Place
    Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI (Juried Exhibition)

    2010 Best In Drawing Category
    Boardwalk Artshow & Festival–Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2009 First Place
    CenterFest Art Festival - Durham, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2009 First Place
    Art Appreciation College Text Book Cover Contest

    2009 Award of Excellence
    Virginia Beach Neptune Artshow & Festival–Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2009 First Place
    Miami Beach Festival of the Arts – Miami Beach, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    2009 First Place
    Pitt Community College First Annual Fine Art Exhibition (Juried Exhibition)

    2008 Best In Show
    Ocean View 46th CBAA Annual Artshow – Norfolk, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2008 Third Place
    Center Fest Art Festival - Durham, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2006 Pastel Society of New Mexico Award
    Pastel Society of America 34th Annual Art Exhibit, National Arts Club–New York, NY. (International Juried Competition)

    2006 Award of Merit
    Stockley Garden Art Festival (Juried Exhibition)

    2006 Award of Honor
    Boardwalk Artshow & Festival–Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2006 Third Place
    AFRAM Festival - Norfolk, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2005 First Place
    “The Best of North Carolina Artist” Competition) (Juried Publication)

    2005 Herman Melville Award of Excellence
    Portwarick Art & Sculpture Festival–Newport News, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    2005 First Place
    Grifton Shad Festival Art Show–Grifton, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2005 People Choice Award
    Grifton Shad Festival Art Show–Grifton, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    2005 Artwork “Deep Thoughts”
    Was published in Living Artist Catalog sold in Barnes & Nobles (Juried Publication Competition).

    2002 National Arts Club Award
    Pastel Society of America 30th Annual Art Exhibit, National Arts Club–New York, NY. (International Juried Competition) (National Art Club also purchased 4 pieces of his work for their permanent gallery.)

    2000 Best In Show
    NC Weslyan College Annual Martin Luther King, Jr Competition – Rocky Mount, NC.

    1999 First Place
    NC Weslyan College Annual Martin Luther King, Jr Competition – Rocky Mount, NC.

  • Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
    Ann Arbor, MI (Juried Exhibition)

    CenterFest Art Festival
    Durham, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    Virginia Beach Neptune Artshow & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    *“SOUTHERN EXPOSURE”
    North Carolina State University (solo exhibition)

    Artscape
    Baltimore, Maryland (Juried Exhibition)

    Boardwalk Art Show & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
    Congo Square – New Orleans, LA (Juried Exhibition)

    34th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival
    St. Petersburg, Fl (Juried Exhibition)

    Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
    Tampa, Fl (Juried Exhibition)

    Coconut Grove Arts Festival
    Miami, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    Miami Beach Festival of the Arts
    Miami Beach, FL (Juried Exhibition)

    Ocean View 46th CBAA Annual Artshow
    Norfolk, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    Charlotte Fine Art Show
    Charlotte, NC (Juried Exhibition)
    * “EXPRESSIONS IN PASTELS”N.C. State University, African American Cultural Center – Raleigh, NC

    “Living African American Artist of North Carolina”
    Greenville Museum of Arts – Greenville, NC

    Atlanta Dogwood Festival
    Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    Piratefest– Greenvile, NC (Juried Exhibition)
    *Installation & Unveiling of The Lucille W. Gorham Portrait” City Hall – Greenville, NC

    Virginia Beach Neptune Artshow & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    5th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts
    Alexandria, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    National Black Arts Festival
    Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    Essence Music Festival
    New Orleans, LA (Juried Exhibition)

    The 6th Annual National Conference on Black Philanthropy
    Arlington, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    Capital Jazz Festival
    Columbia, MD (Juried Exhibition)

    * “LIVING THE DREAM”
    Greenville Museum of Arts– Greenville, NC

    * This Century Art Gallery
    Williamsburg, VA

    * Pitt Community College
    Greenville, NC

    * Roanoke Chowan Community College
    Ahoskie, NC

    Decor Art Expo 2006
    Atlanta, GA

    “GICLEE” Opus One Gallery
    Atlanta, GA (Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard)

    Pastel Society of America 34th Annual Art Exhibit, National Arts Club
    New York, NY(International Juried Competition)

    Stockley Garden Art Festival
    (Juried Exhibition)

    Greenville Brushstroke Exhibition at Emerge Gallery
    Greenville NC (Juried Exhibition)

    National Black Arts Festival
    Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    Boardwalk Artshow & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    AFRAM Festival
     Norfolk, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    Pepsi Americas' Sail
    Beaufort, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    Artsploure
    Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    NC Weslyan College Anniversary Show
    Rocky Mount, NC

    Decor Art Expo 2006
    Atlanta, GA

    “GICLEE” Opus One Gallery
    Atlanta, GA (Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard)

    Pastel Society of America 34th Annual Art Exhibit, National Arts Club
    New York, NY(International Juried Competition)

    Stockley Garden Art Festival
    (Juried Exhibition)

    Greenville Brushstroke Exhibition at Emerge Gallery
    Greenville NC (Juried Exhibition)

    National Black Arts Festival
    Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    Boardwalk Artshow & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    AFRAM Festival
     Norfolk, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    Pepsi Americas' Sail
    Beaufort, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    Artsploure
    Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    NC Weslyan College Anniversary Show
    Rocky Mount, NC

    Decor Expo 2005
    Atlanta, GA

    “The Best of North Carolina Artist” Competition
    (Juried Publication)

    Portwarick Art & Sculpture Festival
    Newport News, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    Grifton Shad Festival Art Show
    Grifton, NC

    Artwork “Deep Thoughts”
    Was published in Living Artist Catalog sold in Barnes & Nobles (Juried Publication)

    National Black Arts Festival
    Atlanta, GA (Juried Exhibition)

    Boardwalk Artshow & Festival
    Virginia Beach, VA (Juried Exhibition)

    National Black Theatre Festival
    Winston Salem, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    *“An African American Experience”
    Blount Bridgers House Gallery–Tarboro, NC

    *Installation & Unveiling of The George Henry White Portrait in the Edgecombe County Superior Court House
    Tarboro, NC

    * “A DIVINE EXPERIENCE”
    Beaufort County Arts Council–Washington, NC

    Philadelphia International Art Expo
    Philadelphia, PA (Juried Exhibition)

    Pastel Society of America 32nd Annual Art Exhibit,National Arts Club
    New York City (Juried Competition)

    National Black Arts Festival
    Atlanta, Georgia (Juried Exhibition)

    Halizo Fine Arts Festival
    Norfolk, Virginia (Juried Exhibition)

    Schwa Art Show, Emerge Gallery
    Greenville, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    Old North State Medical Society Convention
    Raleigh–North Carolina,(Invitational) (Commission)

    International Art Expo
    Nash Community College, Nashville, NC (Invitational)

    9/11 Show, Greenville Museum of Arts
    Greenville, NC (Selected)

    Old North State Medical Society Convention
    Raleigh, NC (Invitational)

    *Jerry's Artarama
    Raleigh, NC (Solo Exhibition)

    *Elizabeth City State University Alumni House
    Elizabeth City, NC (Invitational)

    African American Literary Conference
    NC State University–Raleigh, NC (Juried Exhibition)

    Clarence E. Lightner Classic,
    RBC Center–Raleigh, NC (Invitational)

    Pastel Society of America 30th Annual Art Exhibit
    National Arts Club–New York, NY (International Juried Competition)

    Black History Month Art Exhibition
    Washington County Arts Council–Plymouth, NC

    Two Man Show
    Farmville Arts Council–Farmville, NC

    Wilmor Arts Exhibition
    Greenville Hilton–Greenville, NC

    NC Weslyan College Annual Martin Luther King, Jr Competition
    Rocky Mount, NC

  • Ed Gordon
    Television and radio news personality, BET, NBC-TV, CBS-TV, NPR

    Ruby Perkins
    Educator, Performing Artist – Greenville, NC

    Gladys Knight
    Singer

    Tina Knowles
    Designer, Mother of singer Beyonce Knowles

    Tom Joyner
    Radio, Tom Joyner Morning Show

    Victoria Rowell
    Actress, “Young & The Restless”

    Bev Smith
    Radio, BET, Bev Smith Show

    Anne & Clifton Davis
    Actor, Songwriter, Minister “Amen”,TBN

    Wendy Raquel Robinson
    Actress, “The Steve Harvey Show”, "The Game”

    Dorien Wilson
    Actor, The Parkers

    Mr & Mrs. Troy and Sissy Templeton
    Miami, FL

    Mr& Mrs. Macon and Joan Brock
    Virginia Beach, VA

    Mr& Mrs. Douglas Perry
    Virginia Beach, VA

    Mr& Mrs.Bob Sasser
    Virginia Beach, VA

    Mr and Mrs. Tim Bazemore
    Windsor, NC

    Dr. Ada Williams
    Tarboro, NC

    Dr. David and Barbara Lee
    Tarboro, NC

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    Donald and Alice Sadler
    Washington, NC

    Nikki and Gray Blount
    Greenville, NC

    Hyman and Stacy Brody
    Greenville, NC

    BJ and Sarah Whitehurst
    Greenville, NC

    Tom Glennon
    Greenville, NC

    Dr. Walter Pories
    Greenville, NC

    Dr. Kevin and Tracey Burton
    Greenville, NC

    John and Jody Chaffee
    Greenville, NC

    Pitt Greenville Chamber of Commerce
    Greenville, NC

    City of Greenville
     Greenville, NC

    William and Patricia Robinson
    Greenville, NC

    Dr. Jayish Patel
     Greenville, NC

    Mrs. Martha Dartt
    Greenville, NC

    Mrs. Jessica Wilkins
    Greenville, NC

    Attorney Frank and Kelly Harper
    Greenville, NC

    Mrs. Frankie Beeker
    Greenville, NC

    Harry and Linda Dickens

  • International Tennis Hall of Fame
    Newport, RI

    National Arts Club
    New York, NY

    Edgecombe County Superior Courthouse
    Tarboro NC

    North Carolina State University
    Raleigh, NC

    North Carolina A & T University
    Greensboro, NC

    Vanderbilt University
    Nashville, TN

    Sallie B. Howard School of the Arts & Education
    Wilson, NC

    Barton College
    Wilson, NC

    Elizabeth City State University
    Elizabeth City, NC

    Showers of Blessing Christian Center
    Rocky Mount, NC

    Christian Chapel Holiness Church
    Parmele, NC

    Lucille W. Gorham Intergenerational Center
    Greenville NC

    Pitt Community College
    Greenville NC

    Little Willie Center
    Greenville, NC

    Holy Temple Church
    Greenville, NC

    University of Georgia

    Pitt County Superior Courthouse

  • Blue Moon Brewing Company
    Denver, CO

    Pitt County Memorial Hospital (Childrens Hospital)
    Greenville, NC

    Ronald McDonald House
    Greenville, NC

    North Carolina Board of Nursing
    Raleigh, NC

    Greenville Convention Center
    Greenville NC

    Old North State Medical Society
    Durham, NC

    Bristol Myers Squibb
    New York, NY

    Tarboro Women Center
    Tarboro, NC

    Dollar Tree Stores HQ
    Chesapeake, VA

    Boys and Girls Club
    Norfolk, VA

  • Pastel Society of America

    (Signature Member)

    Portrait Society of America

    Greenville Museum of Arts

  • Richard made history by becoming the first African American artist to ever have a portrait painting hang in any courthouse in North Carolina.

    Richard painted a portrait of George Henry White, the last former slave to serve in Congress.