Exhibitions

Welcome to the Exhibits page!  

The NWS Online Sales Gallery  is evolving into the NWS YouTube Channel, bringing watercolor to life in a vibrant, immersive way. This newer format celebrates the creativity, innovation, and spirit of our artists.  

NWS MEMBER EXHIBITION

The NWS Member Exhibition is an annual online exhibition celebrating the artistry, creativity, and excellence of the National Watercolor Society's Associate and Signature members.  This exhibition highlights the diversity of contemporary watercolor while honoring the exceptional talent within NWS.  

Entries open January 1, inviting members to submit their artwork for consideration. The exhibition is presented online from  May 1 through June 30, offering audiences the opportunity to experience an inspiring collection of watercolor from artists.   

Each year, a distinguished juror is selected to review submissions and curate the exhibition.  The exhibition awards $10,000 in Cash Awards, with honors named in recognition of NWS Past Presidents whose leadership and dedication helped shape Society.  In addition, one ScholARTship is awarded in support artistic education. 

Participation is open to all current Associate and Signature members of NWS.

Please note:  Artwork accepted into the NWS Member Exhibition does not that participation in this exhibition does not count toward NWS Signature status.

NWS INTERNATIONAL OPEN EXHIBITION

The NWS International Open Exhibition is the National Watercolor Society's Flagship Exhibition and an internationally acclaimed event, widely recognized for presenting the most innovative and accomplished work in contemporary watermedia. Each year, this highly anticipated exhibition brings together exceptional artists from across the globe, creating a carefully curated collection that exemplifies technical mastery, artistic vision, and the evolving possibilities of watercolor. 

Open to both NWS members and non-members, the exhibition welcomes submissions from emerging and established artists alike. Artists are invited to present their finest original paintings, many created specifically for this prestigious event. 

To preserve the exceptional quality and distinction of the exhibition, all submitted artwork must be new and must not have been previously exhibited in any other national or international exhibition. This ensures that the NWS International Open presents a truly fresh and exclusive collection of contemporary watermedia.

Entry for the exhibition typically opens April 1, with the exhibition presented at the NWS Gallery each fall. 

In keeping with the Society's commitment to fairness and transparency, the three selected jurors are elected by NWS Signature Members. These Jurors review all submissions and determine the artwork accepted into the exhibition. A separate Awards Juror is invited to select the exhibition's honors.   

The exhibition includes more than $40,000 in cash and merchandise awards, along with three ScholARTship Awards supporting artistic development and continued learning.   

Each year, one painting receiving the exhibition's highest honor is acquired for the NWS Permanent Collection, becoming part of the Society's enduring legacy and preserving an outstanding example of contemporary watercolor.

For NWS members, acceptance into the International Open Exhibition counts toward Master Signature and Gold Master Signature status. 

In addition, artists whose work is accepted into the exhibition are invited to submit additional samples of their artwork for review and potential acceptance into the National Watercolor Society as Signature Members.  

NWS SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

From time to time, the National Watercolor Society presents Special Exhibitions at the NWS Gallery and select locations, offering unique opportunities to experience exceptional watercolor and watermedia art.  These exhibitions highlight the Society's commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and international collaboration. 

Types of Special Exhibitions include:

• Permanent Collection Exhibitions – Showcasing highlights from the NWS Permanent Collection, celebrating the Society’s enduring legacy.

• Curated Invitational Exhibitions – Presented at select museums and galleries, featuring invited artists in thoughtfully curated exhibitions.

• Juried or Invitational International Exchanges – Collaborative exhibitions with artists from around the world, emphasizing innovation, dialogue, and global artistic exchange.

• San Pedro Community Exhibitions – Open to all artists, fostering local engagement and creativity within the community.

These exhibitions provide opportunities to explore, inspire, and celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of contemporary watercolor.

THE ScholARTship AWARD 

Established in 2020, the NWS ScholARTship Award recognizes and supports artists through personalized mentorship, critique, or portfolio review provided by a Master Artist from the watercolor community. The award may be presented as part of either the Member Exhibition or the International Open Exhibition.

Each year, the exhibition juror selects one participating artist (who has not received another award) to receive a ScholARTship in collaboration with the donating professional. The mentorship or review is conducted via electronic communication, including FaceTime, video conferencing, chat, Skype, Zoom, or email, making it accessible to artists worldwide.

The ScholARTship is open to all artists accepted into the NWS Member Exhibition or International Open Exhibition who indicate a willingness to be considered on their acceptance forms.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the National Watercolor Society is dedicated to supporting artists through exhibitions and educational initiatives. The ScholARTship Award furthers this mission by fostering artistic growth and promoting education within the watermedia community. The program is overseen by the NWS Education Director.

(No monetary value as defined by the IRS)