North American Watercolor Membership Exhibition 2027

Open to current North American Watercolor members, the 2027 NAW Members Exhibition celebrates outstanding work in watercolor and water-based media. Artists may submit up to three works for consideration.

Awards include $1,000 Best of Show, $300 Second Place, $200 Third Place, $300 People’s Choice, plus Honorable Mention merchandise awards. Estimated $4,000 in cash and prizes.

Not a member yet? Artists may join NAW before entering the exhibition.

North American Watercolor is dedicated to advancing watercolor as a respected and dynamic fine art medium while supporting, connecting, and providing opportunities for watercolor artists across North America and beyond. The 2027 NAW Members Exhibition celebrates the exceptional work being created within our growing community of artists.  We support artists and are an "artist first" organization.

Artists may submit up to three works for consideration; however, only one work per artist may be accepted into the exhibition. The exhibition offers an estimated $4,000 in cash and prizes, including a $1,000 Best of Show award, $300 Second and $200 Third Place awards, plus a $500 People’s Choice Award, and merchandise awards.

The exhibition will be presented online and promoted through North American Watercolor’s website and social media.

This exhibition is open exclusively to current North American Watercolor members. Membership must be active before submitting an entry. Artists who are not currently members may join NAW before entering. Entries submitted by non-members will be disqualified. Entry fees are non-refundable, including entries submitted by artists who do not meet membership or other eligibility requirements.

Please read the complete prospectus before entering. Submission of an entry confirms that the artist has read and agrees to all exhibition rules, eligibility requirements, and entry policies.

Artists may submit up to three works. Only one work per artist may be accepted into the exhibition.

Each entry must include:

• One digital image of the artwork
• JPEG/JPG format
• Minimum 1800 pixels on the longest side
• Image must show the artwork only, with no frame, mat, watermark, signature overlay, or other identifying information
• Artwork title, dimensions, medium, and other information requested in the application

Images may be cropped and adjusted for accurate color and exposure but may not be digitally altered in a way that changes the appearance or content of the original artwork.

Applicants must be current North American Watercolor members before submitting an entry. Entries submitted by non-members will be disqualified, and entry fees will not be refunded.

Please review the complete exhibition prospectus before submitting your application.

• Open exclusively to current North American Watercolor members in good standing. Membership must be active at the time of entry and throughout the exhibition.

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older.

• All artwork must be original and created by the submitting artist.

• Reference photographs and other source material must be created by the artist. Stock images, photographs taken by others, published images, and images found online are not permitted.

• Copies or likenesses of another artist’s work, with or without permission, are not eligible.

• Work created in a class, workshop, or under instructor supervision is not eligible.

• AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is not permitted.

• Artwork previously receiving an award in a North American Watercolor exhibition is not eligible.

• Entries that do not meet eligibility requirements will be disqualified. Membership dues and entry fees are non-refundable.