The winner of the competition was announced by actor Johnny Depp. (photo courtesy of The Art of Elysium)

Gregory Bedford, an abstract painter from the San Francisco Bay Area, has been named the inaugural winner of The People’s Artist, a nationwide online art competition that raised $6.8 million to benefit the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization The Art of Elysium.

Presented by actor Johnny Depp and organized by fundraising platform Colossal, the competition drew nearly 200,000 artists from across the country working in disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, digital art, illustration, poetry, woodworking and fiber arts. Participants competed for public support while helping raise funds for The Art of Elysium, which connects artists with individuals experiencing illness, trauma, displacement, incarceration and other life challenges.

As the competition’s first champion, Bedford will receive a $25,000 cash prize, be featured in Artforum magazine and present his work in an exhibition at The Art of Elysium’s Salon in Los Angeles.

“Art has the power to connect us in ways words alone cannot,” Colossal CEO Mary Hagen said. “Gregory’s work is deeply personal, expressive and endlessly curious. Throughout the competition, we watched communities come together to celebrate artists of every background and medium while helping raise meaningful support for The Art of Elysium.”

Bedford said his interest in art began in childhood under the guidance of his father, an art teacher who introduced him to watercolor, ceramics and other artistic techniques. Today, he is known for abstract acrylic paintings that emphasize texture, movement and experimentation with materials including sand and colored string.

According to organizers, Bedford also maintained an active online presence throughout the competition, producing weekly videos and social media content over an eight-week period to engage supporters and share his creative process.

The Art of Elysium founder Jennifer Howell said the competition highlighted both artistic expression and community involvement.

“The response to this inaugural competition has been incredible,” Howell said. “Every artist who participated shared a piece of themselves with the world, and every supporter helped expand opportunities for creativity and healing.”

Founded in Los Angeles, The Art of Elysium brings volunteer artists together with children and adults facing medical conditions and other significant challenges through programs in hospitals, community centers and other care settings.

Supporters participated in the competition through free online voting, with additional votes available through donations made under the contest’s official rules. Organizers said proceeds from the campaign will be distributed to The Art of Elysium through Colossal’s grantmaking partner, Action Initiative Team.

For information, visit thepeoplesartist.org.