Spokane Watercolor Society 2026 National Juried Show

Founded in 1954 the mission of the Spokane Watercolor Society (SWS) is to foster the development and growth of artists in the medium of watercolor. Application for entry into this competition is accomplished through the café website at https://www.callforentry.org. For more information, please refer to the SWS website. All questions should be referred to the show chairperson: nationalshow@spokanewatercolor.org 

The juror for this show is David R. Smith, AWS, NWS. David enjoys the challenge of working in harmony with a fluid medium.  By providing the proper environment, surrendering some control, and working with the medium, the most beautiful results oftentimes occur naturally.  David has displayed his work in galleries and museums across the United States. He has received Signature Membership with the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and others. David's work can be viewed at: https://www.dsmithfineart.com.

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CONDITIONS, RULES, AND STIPULATIONS

1.      ELIGIBILITY: Artists living in the United States who are 18 years old or older may participate.

2.      ORIGINALITY: Each painting must be an original work of art, painted only by you, and not produced in a class or workshop under supervision. You may not: submit copies or likenesses of another artist’s work, or use reference work(s), or published source(s) not attributable to you.  AI-generated images may not be used for reference material or submitted artwork.

3.      SUBSTITUTIONS AND WITHHOLDINGS: Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work and if accepted into the show may not withhold their work for any reason. Penalty may include exclusion from future SWS shows as determined by the SWS Board of Directors.

4.      CURRENT WORK: Entries must have been executed after 1 January 2024 and not exhibited in any previous juried SWS exhibition.

5.      SUBJECT MATTER: Unsuitable material will not be hung.  Nude representations are not allowed.  Decisions of the show chairperson are final.

6.      MEDIA: All paints and media used must be water-soluble (i.e. watercolor, gouache, acrylic, casein, or ink). Water-miscible oils are not allowed.

7.      SURFACE: The painting must be accomplished directly on natural fiber paper or illustration board. 

8.      COLLAGE: Collage or other media may be used on up to 20% of the painting. All collage materials must be original designs executed on watercolor paper. The use of a computer reproduction is not allowed.

9.     PAINTING SIZE: The completed painting entered on the CAFE website will consist of only the Visible Painting Area. The visible painting area is the painted area seen when the painting is on display.

•  The visible painting must be a minimum of 8" on the shortest side and a maximum of 30" on the longest side.
• The picture of your painting, as entered on the CAFE site, should not include portions of the frame, the mat, or any liner.
• If selected for the show then the painting submitted must be the same painting that was entered through the CAFE site.

10.  PHOTO IMAGE FILE:

• File Type: JPEG or JPG only.
• File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side.
• File Size: 2 to 5 Megabytes (MB).

11.  MATTING AND FRAMING REQUIREMENTS: This show will consist of traditional and contemporary artwork. Frames must have a professional appearance and be free from damage or blemishes.  Final decisions regarding the requirements and suggestions for framing will be made by the Juror in collaboration with the show Chairperson. 

• The Traditional framing method (mat and glazing) and a Contemporary framing method of Alternative Finish (examples: archival wax/varnish) is described by 
  SWS in a downloadable file for alternative finish at the SWS website.
• All traditional matted and framed pieces must be under glazing, that is to mean polycarbonate (example: Lexan) or acrylic (Example: Plexiglas). The painting 
  must not touch the glazing.
• Glass is not allowed.
• Maximum weight is 40 lbs.
• Single or double white or nearly white matting is permitted.
• A liner (white, off-white, or colored) is allowed.
• Spacers are allowed.
• Saw tooth hangers are not allowed.

12.  SUGGESTED MATTING AND FRAMING TO ACHIEVE A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE:

• The visible mat (including liner) should be a minimum of 2.5" to a maximum of 6".
• The liner reveal should be no greater than 1/4".

13.  AWARDS: The following awards will be presented:

• First Place                         $600
• Second Place                    $400
• Third Place                        $300
• Juror’s Choice Award        $100
• Two Honorable Mentions  $100 each
• In  addition to the above, sponsor’s merchandise may be presented

14.  ENTRY:

• FORMS: Entry is accomplished by form completion online at the CAFÉ website (www.callforentry.org).
• IMAGES: JPG or JPEG IMAGES will be used by the Juror of Selection to determine the paintings to be hung. For this reason, you will want to provide the best picture you can that accurately reflects your achievement. SWS suggests your submissions be professionally scanned or photographed if you are unsure.
• FEES:  Individuals may submit a maximum of two paintings for this show. Members’ entry fees for the first submission are reduced using coupon codes which will be published within SWS and entered on the form at the time of submission. Entry fee payments are by credit card on www.callforentry.org at the time of entry. All fees are nonrefundable.

  SWS  Member Entry Fees are: 

• 1st Painting     $35  (with coupon)
• 2nd Painting    $25

Nonmember Entry Fees are:               

• 1st Painting     $45
• 2nd Painting    $25

15. SALES:  Entries are not required to be listed for sale and may be marked as “NFS.” However entries that do provide a sale price will be sold by SWS. Once entered, the price of your painting cannot be changed and a painting that is listed for sale may not be changed to “NFS” – not for sale.

A. The artist receives 80% of the sale price with 20% going to SWS on accepted paintings sold before the exhibition opens, on paintings sold during the exhibition, and on paintings that are sold because of having been shown at the exhibition and purchased within 30 days of the exhibition’s closing.

B. All paintings must be hung for the duration of the exhibition.

C. Paintings will only be sold through the SWS website. Artists are cautioned that the total price should include sales tax, framing of the art as presented at the show, and any shipping expenses that the artist will incur. Artists are agent for sale of the art and as such are responsible for ensuring the packaging and delivery of the art after the show closes. SWS will extract a fee of 20% from the sale and return the remainder to the artist.

D. Artists will be responsible for the filing of any required tax forms and for any required reporting of sales tax on the monies they collect from sales through this show.

E. Commissions will be subtracted by the SWS treasurer before an artist receives a check.

F. Sold paintings cannot be removed until the end of the show.

16.  JUDGING: Acceptance into the exhibition will be done from jpg/jpeg image(s) provided in the application process. Notification of acceptance will be accomplished by email on or before 23 February. Barring unforeseen circumstances, final judging of the original paintings will take place at the Museum on the 8th of April. Museum staff will place the paintings in storage before hanging for the exhibition which starts May 8th. The presentation of awards will occur on May 16th at a reception at the exhibition. 

17.  PROMOTIONAL USE: Your entry in this event entitles SWS to reproduce your artwork and entry information for promotional purposes. Images may be archived by SWS for future promotional use.

18.  ARTIST NOTIFICATION: Artists whose submissions are juried into the exhibition will receive email notification. Artists’ names along with titles of accepted paintings will also be posted on the SWS website. For artists who ship paintings, shipping information will be provided when you are accepted into the show. Artists who ship painting(s) must provide return prepaid shipping labels along with their shipped painting(s).

19.  ARTIST BIOGRAPHY AND STATEMENT:  Artists selected to participate in the show will provide a current, single-page artist biography and artist statement, formatted as either an MS Office word document (doc, docx) or rich text format (rtf), including a current headshot jpeg image (please, no pdf files). A catalog of exhibition artists will be constructed by SWS for display at the exhibit. If you do not want your contact information to be public, do not include it in your biography and artist statement.

20.  END OF SHOW: Paintings must be retrieved Monday, June 15th, 2026 between 10:00 am and noon. Changes to the pickup of art must be coordinated with the show chairperson. It is the artist’s responsibility to arrange with the chairperson for alternative pickup or shipping of their works. This coordination must take place before 15 June 2026. Any work not retrieved at the end of the show will become the property of SWS to retain or dispose of as it deems appropriate. Return shipping labels are required for artwork shipped to the exhibit. Shipped artwork will be returned in its original packaging.

21.  LIABILITY CLAUSE: The Spokane Watercolor Society (SWS) is an IRS designated nonprofit organization 501c (3).  SWS and its agent the MAC will take precautions to ensure the safety of the artwork. However, neither SWS nor the MAC will be liable for the loss or damage to any artwork submitted to the show. Insurance is the sole responsibility of the artist. By entering this event you agree to abide by the conditions, rules, and stipulations imposed by SWS.  Failure to follow SWS conditions/rules may lead to disqualification of your entry.

Sponsors for this event include:

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Spokane Art Supply

   See Conditions, Rules and Stipulations

You must 18 years of age or older to enter this exhibit.