Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open 2019

The Pittsburgh Watercolor Society celebrates its 74th anniversary with the Aqueous Open 2019 at Spinning Plate Gallery, 5821 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Aqueous Open is the annual international exhibition open to all participants, member or not. The exhibit runs from October 2 through November 2, 2019.

The exhibition is open to all artists 18 or older working primarily with water-based media on a paper surface (YUPO and Tyvek are permitted) and unvarnished. Eligible mediums include watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, and egg tempera. No pastels, class work, digital images, prints, reproductions, or more than 10% collage are permitted. Work must be original, completed within the last two years, and not previously shown in a PWS exhibit. All paintings must be sturdily framed under glass or Plexiglas. Framed works can be no larger than 40 inches in any direction. Each artist may submit one or two pieces, though only one piece will be accepted.

Entry fee is $40 for non-members and $30 for Pittsburgh Watercolor Society members. Over $5,000 in cash and merchandise awards are available, with the Best of Show award at $1,200. Awards are announced at the Reception on October 5. All work must be for sale, with artists receiving 60% of sales. Digital image files must be professional quality in high-resolution jpg format (1920 or greater pixels on the long side, at least 72 dpi, 5 MB or less). Registration deadline is July 2, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Acceptance notifications will be sent the second week of August. Shipped work should arrive September 19-23; hand-delivered work on September 22, 2-4 PM. All works must be picked up by November 2.