Standard Works - NMWS Spring Exhibition 2026

The New Mexico Watercolor Society invites NMWS members to submit original watermedia paintings for the Spring Exhibition 2026 with Guest Juror Tim Oliver. Standard works are those larger than 80 square inches (width x height).

Entries are accepted February 2nd through March 8th at 5pm MST. The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, May 2nd from 1-4 pm MDT. The exhibition will be open to the public Sunday, May 3rd through Saturday, May 23rd, Thursdays through Sundays, 10AM-4PM at Expo New Mexico Fine Arts Gallery, 300 San Pedro Drive NE (Gate 3 Entrance), Albuquerque, NM 87108. Artists will be notified of acceptance or rejection by email before 5:00 PM MDT on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

NMWS membership is required, with 2026 dues paid in full before submission. Each artist may enter up to 3 original paintings completed after March 8, 2024. All accepted paintings must be for sale with a minimum price of $200 for standard works. Watercolor must be the dominant medium; acceptable media include gouache, egg tempera, casein, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, fluid acrylics, and water-soluble inks. Prohibited media include heavy body acrylic, gel medium, water-soluble oils, canvas, encaustic, and computer-generated art. Paintings must be executed solely by the entering artist and cannot have been previously shown in National Shows, WFWS, MWNM, or other NMWS exhibitions. Maximum unframed size is 30" x 38"; maximum framed size is 38" x 46". Entry fees are $45 for the first painting and $10 for each additional painting, paid online via credit or debit card. Digital image submissions (.jpg or .jpeg files, less than 10 MB) must be cropped to show artwork only. Exhibited work must meet professional, gallery-quality framing standards with metal or wood frames and white or off-white mats. Plexiglas is required for water-soluble and non-varnished works. Accepted artists must volunteer for show hosting or pay a $50 fee, unless residing more than 75 driving miles from the venue. Artists withdrawing pieces after acceptance will be disqualified from exhibiting in the current and following two NMWS exhibitions.