85th Annual National Exhibition

The Watercolor Society of Alabama invites artists to submit work for the 85th Annual National Exhibition, held at Heritage Hall Museum in Talladega, AL from May 3 – June 5, 2026. The exhibition is open to all artists working in water media who are at least 18 years of age, members of the Watercolor Society of Alabama with current dues, and who reside within the United States. Nonmembers may join WSA and enter the competition. Eligible paintings must be painted after January 1, 2023, and not previously juried into any WSA show.

Accepted media include watercolor, casein, gouache, egg tempera, metallic, water-soluble watercolor ink, watercolor pencil, watercolor crayons dissolved in water, and acrylic applied as water-soluble media on watercolor paper, watercolor illustration board, watercolor canvas, clay board, Yupo or other synthetic paper. Collage items must be original work on watercolor paper, white rice paper, white tissue paper, Yupo or other synthetic papers. Work must be the artist's original creation only; no class work, work done under supervision, copies of other artists' work, digital images, prints, giclees, or work generated with or assisted by AI may be submitted. Ineligible materials include oil paint, water soluble oil, pastels, charcoal, alcohol ink, texture mediums, varnished or waxed paintings, and diptychs or triptychs unless in a common frame. Maximum frame size is 48" in any direction; minimum image size is 140 square inches.

Entry fee for WSA Members is $45 for up to 3 entries per artist. Membership renewal or new membership ($45) can be selected when paying online at ShowSubmit. Payment by check requires contacting the WSA Show Director. Digital images must be submitted in JPEG format with a minimum of 1800 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi, showing only the image without frame or mat. The Juror of Selection is Andy Evansen and the Juror of Awards is Matthew Bird. Approximately $9,000 in monetary and merchandise awards will be granted. Accepted artists will receive notification by March 23, 2026, along with instructions for presentation and shipping. All accepted artists earn one point toward Signature membership or advanced levels of Signature membership. A workshop with Matthew Bird will be held April 30, May 1, and May 2 from 9:30 AM to 4 PM at Heritage Hall Museum, limited to 15 individuals. Workshop cost is $425 for WSA Members and $465 for non-members, with required deposits of $225 and $250 respectively, and balance due one week before the workshop.