2027 Transparent Watercolor Society of America's 51st National Exhibition

TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF AMERICA

     $25,000+ in cash awards 

WWW.WATERCOLORS.ORG

IMPORTANT: When selecting your images from your portfolio, pls. review the contact information to verify it is correct/current.  Images previously uploaded may have outdated contact info.  If accepted and we cannot reach you, you will miss an opportunity to be in the exhibit.

ENTRY DEADLINE:  JANUARY 31, 2027

Exhibition Dates:  May 1, 2027 - August 1, 2027, Kenosha Public Museum, Kenosha, WI 

Entry Fee:  TWSA member in good standing and dues paid for 2027. (Fees waived for Life Members) Cafe is set up to accept membership dues and entry fees combined. $40 for dues and $25 entry fee for one or two images. If you have prepaid dues or are a Life member, use the appropriate Coupon Code during checkout. (See below)

Online Entry Only through CaFE  www.callforentry.org 

Kenosha Public Museum will handle sales and charge a 35% commission. 

CALENDAR

January 31, 2027  Online Entry Deadline 

First Week of March - Notifications sent by email

April 9-16  Shipped paintings due at Kenosha Public Museum. Shipping details will be sent to accepted artists. Paintings are NOT to arrive prior to April 9.

May 1, 2027     Exhibition Open

June 9-11  Workshops:  Frank Spino, TWSA, NWS, AWS - "Realism in Bold Color" & Pam Wenger,TWSA, AWS, NWS - "Quick Sketch Portraits in Watercolor"

June 12th  CELEBRATE WATERCOLOR EVENTS

• DEMOS: 10:30 a.m. - Noon and 2 pm - 3:30 Demos by Pam Wenger and Frank Spino - Open to the public.
• AWARDS: Cocktails/Dinner at 5:00pm at KPM

June 14-16 Workshops:  Frank Spino, TWSA, NWS, AWS - "Realism in Subtle Color" & Pam Wenger, TWSA, AWS, NWS - "Painting Children in Watercolor"

August 1, 2027 - 51st TWSA Exhibition Closes

Week of August 2nd - Paintings packed and returned  

ELIGIBILITY

• Residents of North America 18 years of age or older
• Must be original work of the entrant, created after January 1, 2025, with no supervised instruction.
• Must be a member of TWSA in good standing whose dues are paid for 2027.
• May not be a copy, likeness or derivative of another person’s artistic creation.
• May not be in a virtual exhibition during the dates of May 1st-August 1st while hanging in the TWSA Exhibition.

REQUIREMENTS OF PAINTINGS

Transparent watercolor painted in a transparent manner. TWSA has recently utilized alternate selections due to final screening findings of heavy opacity. PLEASE, remember, regardless of what the pigment is rated, if you apply too many washes, it can become opaque. Hold it up to natural light and if you see a shiny or leather-like appearance, it’s opaque. 

• Must be transparent watercolor, applied on a single piece of rag or wood pulp paper that is free of pigment and imbedded materials. For a complete description of transparency please go to www.watercolors.org - explanation of Transparency located in the FAQ section.  

Graphite pencil may be used only for planning marks.

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The following grounds, treatments, and media are excluded:

Opaque white paint, of any kind, such at titanium white, Chinese white, etc.

Gesso, matte medium, or any other priming material or exterior surface treatment

Gouache, acrylics, or water-soluble oils

Inks, metallic, or iridescent paint or products that leave a metallic, graphite, or reflective sheen. Be aware that some of the Daniel Smith prima tek pigments can possibly contain iridescence, eg.:  Kyanite, Bronzite etc.

Watercolor crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, Conte sticks, or Conte Crayons

Varnish, wax, wax crayon, oil sticks, or oil pastel

Collage or surface constructions, impasto, embossing

Watercolor resist, such as Frisket, that is not completely removed from the final painting

Yupo or similar papers.

Canvas or canvas paper

Use of digital images or enhancements printed on the paper.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Maximum frame size not to exceed 50” on any side.
• Simple, neutral frames are preferred. KPM framing guidelines can be found on the TWSA website.
• Mats must be white or off-white. A colored 1/8 inch liner is acceptable. If you are floating your work, follow the instructions given by KPM on our website in the FAQ section.

• Minimum image size (mat opening) is 8 x 10 or 80 sq. inches.

• TWSA reserves the right to withdraw any entry it deems inappropriate or objectionable. 

• Follow the image upload requirements stated by Cafe.  www.callforentry.org. (See below.)

• Work previously exhibited in a TWSA Exhibition is not eligible. (Includes online exhibition)

• The TWSA Screening Committee will examine all delivered paintings for compliance with its Exhibition requirements.

• Accepted paintings must match the online entry image.

• Online entry stated sales price may not be changed.  (35% commission to KPM for sold paintings)

• Paintings not adhering to requirements will not be exhibited and will be returned at the artist’s expense.

• Entry Fees will not be refunded for any reason.

• Images of exhibited artwork may be used without charge for advertising and promotion.

JURORS

Frank Spino, TWSA, AWS, NWS

Frank has exhibited around the world and won awards across the US and Europe.  His approach to painting is to use strong, dynamic color to create rich, light-filled paintings.  Early in his career, he studied with Henry Hensche at the Cape School in Provincetown, MA.  Henry opened his eyes to color which has become a dominant element in Frank's art.

Frank holds signature status with the major watercolor societies; Transparent Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, and National Watercolor Society, and many more.  His work has been published in all of the major watercolor publications and has graced the cover of SPLASH and Watercolor Artist.  He was honored with a five month solo show at the Daytona Museum of Arts and Science in Florida.

www.frankspino.com

Pam Wenger, TWSA, AWS, NWS

Pam is a Pennsylvania based artist best known for her portrait and figurative watercolor work.  Drawing on over 35 years of teaching experience, she thoughtfully structures her workshops to both challenge and support participants throughout their artistic journey.

Her paintings have been exhibited and recognized with awards in national and international exhibitions and publications, including the Transparent Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Splash Magazine, Artist's Magazine and Watercolor Artist Magazine.

www.pamwenger.com

TO SUBMIT ONLINE ENTRIES

PREPARE YOUR IMAGE FOR UPLOAD

   Image must be JPEG or JPG only.

   Cropped to show only the artwork…no mat or frame may be visible

   Be sure your images are right side up.

   Resize to 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side

 HOW TO RESIZE

 On a Mac Using Preview:

    1. Select the image file you want to resize.

    2. Right-click/select Open with Preview

    3. Go to Tools, then Adjust Size.

    4. Choose Fit Into Custom and resize the image to 1200 pixels or larger on the longest side.

    5. Click OK.

On A PC Computer:

    1.Select the image you want to resize.

    2. Go to the toolbar and select Edit Pictures.

    3. Go to Change Picture Size and click Resize.

    4. Choose Custom and resize to 1200 pixels or larger on the longest side.

• Go to www.callforentry.org

• On the LOGIN page, enter your username and password.

   If you forgot your username and/or password: 

    1. Go to the forgot username page.

    2. Enter the email address you registered with.

    3. Click Retrieve.

    4. Go to you inbox to check for the Forgotten Login

         email and/or

    5. Go to the Forgot password page.

    6. Enter email address AND username.

    7. Click Request Reset.

    8. Go to you inbox to check for the Password Reset link for the username submitted. Link is valid for 24 hours.

        Click the password reset link in the email and create a new password.

• To SIGN UP for CaFE, create a free CaFE account profile.

   1. Go to the Register for CaFE page.

   2. Read and agree to the CaFE Terms and Conditions.

   3. Complete the account profile requirements on the screen and create a username and password. (Usernames and passwords are limited to 7-30 characters. You can use letters, numbers, and periods. Do not use spaces, apostrophes, single or double quotations, or accent marks.)

   4. Click Register Now to create an account.

• ENTER Information and Images (follow CaFE guidelines and requirements)
• Images: Minimum 1, Maximum 2
• Entry Fee is $25 for one or two images.
• Life Members are FREE. Use code, TWSA4LIFE for EACH entry (otherwise you will be charged $5 for the second image).
• PREPAID new and renewing TWSA Members enter coupon code 40offTWSA in Coupon Box.

You MUST have prepaid your 2027 dues. You will be charged the $25 entry fee only. 

   TWSA monitors entries and improper usage of coupon codes will automatically disqualify your entry.

• UNPAID New and Renewing Members (without leaving this site) enter 1 or 2 images for $65.  You will AUTOMATICALLY become a new or renewed TWSA member.

   (Helpful Information when filling out form)

• Dollar = Sales Price
• Value = If not for sale, it is the value of your painting for museum insurance.
• Paintings not for sale must be designated ‘NFS’
• 35% Commission is charged by the Kenosha Public Museum for paintings sold.
• Upload Work - Acceptable Upload-Ready Files

   File Types: JPEG or JPG only

   File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side

   File Size: Under 5 MB

• Please allow time for unforeseen circumstances in your submission, you don’t want to miss the deadline.
• Deadlines in CaFE are at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Zone on the day of the deadline.

Questions or concerns about your entry, please contact our Exhibition Chair at TWSAexhibition@aol.com

• Maximum frame size not to exceed 50” on any side.
• Simple, neutral frames are preferred. KPM framing guidelines can be found on the TWSA website.
• Mats must be white or off-white. A colored 1/8 inch liner is acceptable. If you are floating your work, follow the instructions given by KPM on our website in the FAQ section.

• Minimum image size (mat opening) is 8 x 10 or 80 sq. inches.

• TWSA reserves the right to withdraw any entry it deems inappropriate or objectionable. 

• Follow the image upload requirements stated by Cafe.  www.callforentry.org. (See below.)

• Work previously exhibited in a TWSA Exhibition is not eligible. (Includes online exhibition)

• The TWSA Screening Committee will examine all delivered paintings for compliance with its Exhibition requirements.

• Accepted paintings must match the online entry image.

• Online entry stated sales price may not be changed.  (35% commission to KPM for sold paintings)

• Paintings not adhering to requirements will not be exhibited and will be returned at the artist’s expense.

• Entry Fees will not be refunded for any reason.

• Images of exhibited artwork may be used without charge for advertising and promotion.

• Residents of North America 18 years of age or older
• Must be original work of the entrant, created after January 1, 2025, with no supervised instruction.
• Must be a member of TWSA in good standing whose dues are paid for 2027.
• May not be a copy, likeness or derivative of another person’s artistic creation.
• May not be in a virtual exhibition during the dates of May 1st-August 1st while hanging in the TWSA Exhibition.