58th Annual Membership Exhibition of the Southwestern Watercolor Society

The Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS) is a prestigious national organization celebrating its 58th anniversary with approximately 400 members throughout the United States. The 58th Annual Membership Exhibition is open to all SWS members in good standing. Membership dues for 2021-22 must be paid by June 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. CST when registration closes. You may join at the time of entry.

The exhibition will be held at Blue House Too Gallery, 988 Village Green Drive, Allen, TX 75013 from September 1 – October 2, 2021. One nonrefundable entry fee of $45.00 is due for the submission of up to three paintings. Only one entry per artist will be accepted into the show. All work must be painted after January 1, 2019 and must be original water media on paper or Yupo, including watercolors, acrylics, inks, gouache, casein, egg tempera, watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons. Work must be an original creation by the artist only, not produced in a class or workshop, with photo reference material taken by the artist. No digital media, photography, prints, reproductions, diptychs, triptychs, or paintings of nudes are accepted. Collage materials must be painted with water medium by the artist with build-ups not exceeding ¼-inch thickness. The minimum painted image size without mat or frame is 100 square inches; maximum outside framed size is 46 inches in either direction. Mats must be single and white or off-white. Media must be under clear, unscratched Plexiglas. Framed works must be wired and ready to hang with D-rings. Works previously hung in a SWS show or Western Federation show are not permitted.

Juror of Selection is Ruth Armitage, NWS. Over $8,000 in cash and merchandise will be awarded, including: Naomi Brotherton Best of Show - $1,500.00; Edgar A. Whitney Transparent Watercolor Award - $1,000.00; 1st Place Award - $750.00; 2nd Place Award - $600.00; 3rd Place Award - $400.00; Lou Bono Memorial Award - $500.00. Acceptance notification will be sent via email on July 18. The Awards Reception is scheduled for September 26, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Local artists are responsible for hand-delivery and pickup of artwork during designated timeframes. Remote artists may ship through Navis Pack & Ship with a $70.00 handling fee. The Blue House Too Gallery will receive a 40% commission on all paintings sold. SWS, Navis and Blue House Too Gallery will not be responsible for loss or damage to artwork.