National Watercolor Society 105th International Open Exhibition

The National Watercolor Society invites artists to submit work for the 105th International Open Exhibition. The exhibition runs October 1 – November 2, 2025. Estimated awards total $40,000+ in cash and merchandise, including a $6,000 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. Paintings previously exhibited in any National or International Open Exhibition, including NWS Member Exhibits, are not eligible; Member, State, Regional, and Invitational exhibitions are permitted. Paintings must be watermedia on natural or synthetic paper, Yupo, Aquabord, or Claybord (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 work, not derived from published images or computer-generated. Photo reference material must be taken by the artist. Minimum size 8" x 10"; maximum 40" on longest dimension. All accepted artists must ship their paintings.

Submission and Fees: Entry deadline is May 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time. Entry fee is $45 for NWS members and $70 for non-members. Submissions are online only via CaFE (JPEG or JPG, 1200 pixels or greater on longest side, max 5MB). Images must be cropped to exclude mat, frame, and background. Accepted artists are included in the 2025 NWS Annual Exhibition Catalog. All paintings are considered for sale unless marked NFS or priced at 0; sold paintings are subject to a 30% donation to NWS. Monetary awards unclaimed by December 1, 2025 will be forfeited. Jurors of Selection: Iain Stewart, William Hook, and Michael Holter. Judge of Awards: Carol Carter.