National Watercolor Society 104th International Open Exhibition

The National Watercolor Society invites international artists to submit work for the 104th International Open Exhibition. 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, 2022. Paintings previously exhibited in any National or International Open Exhibition, including NWS Member Exhibits, are not eligible. 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. Entries must be original compositions not derived from published images or computer-generated designs. Paintings must be at least 5" x 7" minimum with a maximum of 40" on the longest dimension. All accepted artists are required to ship their paintings.

Entry Fee and Timeline: Entry fee is $45 for NWS members and $70 for non-members. Entries are accepted April 1 – May 31, 2024, with a deadline of May 31, 2024 at 12:00 noon Pacific Time. Accepted artists will be posted July 2, 2024. Artwork must be received by July 31, 2024. The exhibition runs October 1 – November 3, 2024, with an Awards Reception on October 12, 2024 at NWS Gallery (by invitation). Jurors of Selection are Keiko Tanabe, Mary Ann Beckwith, and Joanna Barnum. Judge of Awards is Gordon McClelland. All work must be for sale. NWS retains a 30% commission on sales and presold paintings. For questions, contact Annie Strack at [email protected].