Aqueous Open International 2024

The Pittsburgh Watercolor Society invites artists 18 and older to submit work for the Aqueous Open International 2024 Annual Exhibition. The exhibition runs September 7 - October 25, 2024 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling, WV. Artists may enter up to two pieces for consideration, but only one piece will be accepted. The entry fee is $45.

Eligible work must be created primarily with water-based media on paper (including YUPO and Tyvek), unvarnished. Acceptable mediums include watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, and egg tempera. Work must be original, minimum 12" x 12" image size and maximum 40" x 40" framed. No canvas, pastels, class work, digital images, prints, reproductions, or more than 10% collage. Digital submissions must be high-quality JPG format with dimensions of 1920 pixels or greater on the long side, 300 dpi resolution, and file size of 3.5 MB or less.

All accepted work must be framed and ready for hanging with wire (no sawtooth hangers). Matting must be white, off-white, or light gray with no colored or double mats. Frames should be simple in black, gray, silver, or gold, no more than 1.5" wide. Hand-delivered work is accepted August 24, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shipped work must arrive by August 30 and should use acrylic or plexiglas only (no glass). Ship to: Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.

All work must be for sale at current market value and not currently exhibited elsewhere. Artists receive 60% of sale price (after sales tax), Stifel Fine Arts Center receives 30%, and Pittsburgh Watercolor Society receives 10%. The Best of Show award is $1,000, with over $5,000 in total cash and prize awards announced at the opening reception on September 7. Unsold work may be picked up October 26-31. Artists exhibiting in Aqueous Open three years out of five become eligible for PWS membership. For questions, contact [email protected].