Watercolor USA 2025

Spiva Center for the Arts invites artists to submit up to three watercolor works for Watercolor USA 2025, a national competitive exhibition continuing a tradition established by the Springfield Art Museum since 1962. The primary purpose is to recognize and encourage excellence in watercolor and water media painting. Selected work will be on display in Spiva's Freeman Health System Main Gallery from August 23 – October 11, 2025.

Artwork must be original and utilize water-soluble paint as the primary medium in a traditional watercolor manner. 3-D watercolor painted paper sculpture is allowed; prints are not allowed. Watercolor media must be on watercolor paper substrate and framed using an acrylic covering (no glass unless hand delivered). All 2-D work must be framed and ready to hang with maximum physical size of 6' x 6' including frame. 3-D sculpture is limited to 75 lbs. with maximum dimensions of 6' x 5' and must fit through a standard double entry door. Artworks must be original, executed within the last three years, and not previously shown at Spiva Center for the Arts or in a past Watercolor USA exhibit.

Entry fee is $40 for two works, with an additional $10 per entry for a maximum of three artworks per artist. A minimum of two entries is required (the same piece may be entered twice to satisfy this requirement). Current Watercolor USA Honor Society members receive a discounted rate of $30 per entry of two artworks with one additional entry for $10. Submit high-quality digital images (at least 300 DPI) in JPEG format, 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side and sized under 5 MB. Include a brief artist statement (200-300 words) describing the work and creative process. All entrants will be notified of acceptance or declination via email no later than June 5th. Top cash prizes include $3,000, $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000, plus additional awards including The Richard Clubb Memorial Award ($300), 10 Awards of Excellence ($300 each), 3 WHS Board of Directors Awards ($500 each), and merchandise awards from Fabriano Paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors, and Escoda Brushes ($500 value each). This exhibition is open to any artist 18 years of age or older currently living and working in the United States. Contact Shaun Conroy at [email protected] with questions.