Georgia Watercolor Society 45th Member Juried Exhibition is a competition for GWS members only and is hosted by the Festival Hall, Greensboro GA.

Entry fee  for up to three images: $35 for Members. Click here to JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP. 

$3,000 IN CASH AWARDS - FIRST PRIZE $1,000.

Juror: Anne Hightower-Patterson

Registration for the workshop "Sharp-Focused Still Life" with Anne Hightower-Patterson opens on Saturday, June 1 2024 at  GWS Website

This exhibition will be held in person at the FESTIVAL HALL, a performing and visual arts facility and venue located in the heart of the historic downtown in Greensboro, Georgia. Founded in 1786, Greensboro is rich in history with a small-town charm. Its cozy downtown displays an array of antique stores, boutiques, antebellum homes and churches. It is also home of the Oconee Brewing company, housed in a renovated cotton mill. FESTIVAL HALL team will ensure an exceptional experience, paying attention to every detail along the way. The venue is conveniently located one hour east of Atlanta.

Important Dates:

• July 20 - Deadline to receive entries.
• August 10- Selected artists list published at the GWS Website and GWS Facebook.
• Selected artists will be notified by email.
• September 3-5, 2024 - Shipped artwork must arrive at FESTIVAL HALL
• September 7, 2024, 11 am to 2 pm – In-person delivery of paintings at FESTIVAL HALL
• September 14 – Exhibition opens.
• September 25 to 27, 9 am to 4 pm – Anne Hightower-Patterson Workshop
• September 28 – Anne Hightower-Patterson Demo and Award Ceremony
• October 25 – Exhibition closes
• October 27, Sunday – 11 am to 2 pm – In person pick up of paintings.
• October 28 – Shipped work returns.

For a complete description of requirements please click here to download the entire prospectus GWS Prospectus

If your painting is accepted, you will be required to sign a disclaimer form affirming that your work is not a copy or likeness of another’s work and that it is your original work from conception to completion without supervision, and that you comply with all rules stipulated in this prospectus.

Online Entry Requirements

You will need the following information for each painting entered:

• Title of the painting
• Size of painted image in inches (height x width, i.e., 22”h x 30”w)
• Selling price or NFS (Not for Sale)

You will need a digital .jpg image of each painting saved on your computer per these instructions:

• Image resolution 300 DPI
• Image is 1800 pixels on the longer side
• File size less than 3.0 Mb
• Filename includes the artist name, title, size, city, state and price.
• Example: Lastname_Firstname_Prague At Dusk_20h x 26w_Atlanta_GA_$700.jpg
• Payment online can be made via Paypal or credit card
• Entry fee for up to three (3) images: $35
• Click here to RENEW MEMBERSHIP. If you have trouble with online payment, please notify Entry Exhibition Chair (vivianevangiesen@gmail.com) and send a check to:

Georgia Watercolor Society Treasurer

Peter Evans

116 Laurel Overlook

Canton GA 30114

OR send your PayPal payment directly to georgiawatercolorsociety@gmail.com and indicate that it is for the Exhibition Entry.

Acceptance Notification
On August 10, 2024 a list of paintings and artists that have been accepted into the show will be posted at:  GWS Website and on GWS Facebook. In addition, the accepted artists will receive an email from Café. Please mark your calendars!

Sales of artwork

• There will be a charge of 40% commission on all sales with 30% going to FESTIVAL HALL and 10% to GWS. Please price your paintings accordingly.  Paintings not for sale must be marked NFS on the entry form.

Application Requirements

• All work must have been completed after July 2022
• Allowed water media: watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, egg tempera, water-soluble ink, and batik using watermedia along with wax resist on paper.
• Collage is accepted only if all elements were made using water media and created by the artist.
• Watercolor crayons and pencils are accepted if part of it is dissolved in water.
• Preprinted or computer-generated images are NOT ACCEPTED.
• Allowed surface: paper, Yupo, watercolor canvas, canvas, Claybord, rice paper, and Tyvek.
• Media NOT allowed: pastels, charcoal, alcohol ink, oil, and water-soluble oil.
• All work must be original from conception to completion. Submitted artwork may not be a copy, likeness, or direct derivative of another person's creative work including paintings, drawings, photography, digital images or prints.  Work done in a workshop or under classroom supervision is not permitted.
• Work previously exhibited in any GWS show is NOT ACCEPTED.
• Submitted artwork may not be a copy, likeness, or direct derivative of the artist’s previously juried and/or published creative work, either in GWS or other exhibitions/competitions.
• Original paintings, not older than two years old, that have been submitted in other organizations exhibitions are eligible.
• See FAQ’s for more information: GWS FAQ's.

Presentation

• All paintings are to be framed in wood or metal in a single color; accepted colors include gold, silver, black, brown, white or natural wood tones.  Cradled Clayboard or Aquabord is not required to be framed if the painting is waxed or varnished; all other paintings require framing.
• Frames are to be plain and unadorned and must not exceed 3” in width (one single bevel, no beading, no distressed painting). They must be ready for hanging with wire in place.
• Plexiglass must be used – NO GLASS.
• Mats and liners, if any, must be untextured paper, white or variations of white (e.g. cream or off-white), with no accent colors.
• Work may be varnished or waxed before framing (These paintings do not require plexiglass).
• If you want to use a paper mat with a varnished/waxed painting, you must protect it with Plexiglas.
• Maximum frame size may not exceed 36” in either direction.
• Image size displayed within the mat is no smaller than 80 square inches, with no side smaller than 8 inches.
• The mat contains one single opening.
• Improperly framed pieces or those unsuitable for hanging will be returned. In case the frame is unacceptable, GWS will phone or text to verify if the artist agrees to service the frame or be returned as-is.

See FAQ'S for more information about the framing GWS FAQ's

Packaging & Delivery/Shipping

• SHIP ONLY VIA UPS OR FEDEX TO:

Festival Hall

201 North Main Street

Greensboro, Georgia 30642

(762) 243-8022 

• To avoid handling fees, you must use only Airfloat or Masterpack foam lined boxes.
• Attach a photo of the painting inside the box so that it is visible when repacking. This will help ensure that the correct painting is returned to you.
• Wood or metal crates will not be accepted.
• Packages sent with popcorn or packing peanuts will be returned, and the artwork will not be displayed.
• Paintings must be shipped to arrive at the center from Wednesday, September 3 through Thursday, September 5, 2024.
• A prepaid return shipping label must be enclosed.
• HANDLING FEE IS ONLY CHARGED IF YOU DON’T USE AIRFLOAT OR MASTERPACK BOXES. IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE A DIFFERENT BOX THAN AIRFLOAT OR MASTERPACK PLEASE INCLUDE A CHECK OF $50.00 MADE TO GWS INSIDE YOUR BOX. 
• Improper packaging may result in damaged, returned or unopened shipments.

Eligibility Criteria

• All work must have been completed after July 2022.
• The submitting artist must be a current GWS member.
• All work must be original from conception to completion. Submitted artwork may not be a copy, likeness, or direct derivative of another person's creative work including paintings, drawings, photography, digital images, or prints.  Work done in a workshop or under classroom supervision is not permitted.

·       If your painting is accepted, you will be required to sign a disclaimer form affirming that your work abides by the rules stipulated in this prospectus