National Watercolor Society 103rd International Open Exhibition

The National Watercolor Society invites artists to submit work for the 103rd International Open Exhibition. The exhibition will run from October 1 to November 5, 2023. Estimated awards total $40,000+ in cash and merchandise, including a $5,000 NWS Permanent Collection Purchase Award. Acceptance counts toward NWS Signature status and qualifies artists for Signature Review.

Eligibility and Requirements: Artists must be 18 years or older. Each artist may enter one painting created after January 1, 2021. Work must be watermedia paintings on natural or synthetic paper, Yupo, Aquabord, or Claybord and must be framed. No stretched canvas or canvas board. Collage may be used if aqueous medium constitutes 80% or more of the work. Digital media, photography, prints, reproductions, diptychs, or triptychs are not permitted. Source material must be original and not derived from published images. Paintings must be hand-painted, not computer-generated, and not created in a class or workshop. Photo reference material must have been taken by the artist. Artwork size minimum is 5" x 7"; maximum is 40" on the longest dimension. Work previously exhibited in any National or International Open Exhibition, including NWS Member Exhibition, is not eligible.

Submission and Fees: Entry deadline is June 2, 2023 at 12:00 noon Pacific Time. Entry fee is $45 for NWS members and $70 for non-members. Submissions must be made online via CaFE with digital images in JPEG format, 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side, maximum 5MB. All accepted artists are required to ship their paintings. Accepted artists will be notified on June 26, 2023, with artwork due by July 31, 2023. Awards reception is scheduled for October 14, 2023. All work must be for sale and priced according to the artist's standard pricing. NWS retains a 30% commission on all sales and presold paintings. Contact Judy Saltzman, NWS Exhibition Director, at [email protected] for questions.