Building Fund

In 1999, the NWS Board purchased a commercial building in San Pedro, California. Individual members contributed labor and money for repairs. The building was made fit to receive and re-pack artworks, to store the Permanent Art Collection, and to be a meeting place for the Society.

In 2004 and 2005, the Board sought to make the building safe for the general public. An engineer, architect and contractor were hired to complete the seismic retrofit. The dream was always to make this a showplace, a gallery, a lyceum, and a museum.

April 2008 Update: Plans have been passed and permits granted by the Los Angeles Building Dept. This good news is largely due to the efforts of the architects, Wheeler and Wheeler, Inc. with assistance form NWS member, Douglas Stenhouse.

The NWS Board is reviewing bids from contractors and will make a decision soon. The plans are for the complete renovation of the inside of the building. Currently, we do not have enough money to do all the work, but with your help, we can raise that money while the contractor is still in the building and get the job finished.

Now we ask you, artists and lovers of art, to join us in our quest. With your contribution, this building will be come an art center of which you will be proud.

Building exterior

Building entrance to the NWS building at 915 S. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA. This is how the building originally looked when purchased; and improvements have been made through generous donations.

Building floor plan before renovations.

Building floorplan

Make a Donation

During our final fund-raising push, we are asking you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the building fund, and join this special group on the Honor Wall. Your gift may be given “In Memoriam” or “In Honor of” someone special. Gifts of large amounts may be given as a pledge and payment arranged. Gifts of significant size will be considered for naming areas of the Museum.

You may join us as a Friend, Patron, Benefactor or join the Golden Palette Circle or the Platinum Palette Circle.

  • Friend: $50 – $299
  • Patron: $300 – $2499 (your name will be entered on the Wall of Honor)
  • Benefactor: $2500 – $4999 (your name will be entered on the Wall of Honor)
  • Golden Palette Circle: $5000 – $9999 (your name will be entered on the Wall of Honor)
  • Platinum Palette Circle: $10,000 and above (your name will be entered on the Wall of Honor and again in the border circling the gallery. You will also have a choice of a painting donated by one of our award-winning NWS artists.)

Please make your check payable to the National Watercolor Society and send to:

Carol Zink, Director of Fundraising
23852 Stillwater Lane
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677