2025 NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 105th INTERNATIONAL OPEN EXHIBITION
AWARDS:  Estimate $40,000+ in Cash and Merchandise includes NWS $6,000 (CASH) Permanent Collection Purchase Award.

Acceptance is one count toward NWS Signature status and qualifies you for Signature Review.

Entry Fee:  $45 NWS Members (click here for Promo/Coupon Code) / $70 Non Members  

Click here for PROSPECTUS                                                               

Exhibition Dates: October 1, 2025 – November 2, 2025

April 1- May 23, 2025     Entries accepted at www.callforentry.org 
Friday, May 23, 2025     Entry deadline – 4:00 PM, Pacific Time
June 16, 2025                 List of accepted artists posted on NWS website 
July 16, 2025                 Deadline for shipped art                                                           Oct 11, 2025                   Awards Presentation / Reception (by invitation)                           

JURORS OF SELECTION: 
Juror: Iain Stewart  https://stewartwatercolors.com     Iain Stewart is a signature member of the National & American Watercolor Societies among other state and international entities. Iain has also recently been inducted into the Whiskey Painters of America. His work has received numerous awards in international competitions and hangs in many corporate and private collections. Iain is a sought after watercolor instructor and juror and has been published in numerous books and periodicals. He has just  finished production of his 5th instructional DVD.  In 2021 his first book on painting; En Plein Air- Light and Color, was published. 

Juror: William Hook  https://wghook.com/                                                               Bill Hook came to the world of fine art later in life after a rewarding career as an architect and highly regarded architectural Illustrator based in Seattle.   A turning point in his art career occurred in 2007 when he was awarded a two-month residency in the village of Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy.  This gave him the opportunity to explore his own fine art interests without the constraints of illustration and pressure of deadlines.  His architectural background continues to influence his current artwork.  A consistent thread in his work shows his love of industrial structures and environments that coexist in the background of our daily lives.  

Juror: Michael Holter  https://www.michaelholter.com/
Michael Holter is an award-winning artist whose works in watercolor can be found in private & corporate collections in the US and several foreign countries. Michael has been an art teacher, creative director and businessman in both fine art and commercial art. He has owned and operated galleries and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education and an MA in Visual Communication. Michael is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, American Impressionist Society, Watercolor Honor Society, Transparent  Watercolor Society of America, Outdoor Painter Society, and more.

JUDGE OF AWARDS:  Carol Carter  https://www.carol-carter.com/                             Carol Carter is an internationally recognized artist whose career has spanned more than 35 years. Carol has taught workshops for over 30 years. Her paintings have been in many national and international exhibitions, both juried and invitational. She has been featured in global publications including, International Arts Magazine, Art of Watercolour, Watercolor Artist, and L’Aquarelle Magazine. In 2012 Carol was an AIRE fellow for the Everglades National Park. She is part of the Art in Embassies program with art currently in the American Embassy in Montenegro. In 2019, Carol was also honored with Master Signature Member status, American Women Artists and Master Signature Member status, Heartland Art Club.  She recently exhibited in “Making Their Mark: American Women Artists” at the Booth Western Art Museum. She is the recipient of 2020 Snehil Lifetime Achievement Award. Carol has exhibited her work in Europe, China, Hong Kong, USVI, Morocco and throughout the United States. She has lead many symposiums on how to make a living as an artist and marketing art as a career.

General Questions about the exhibition and entry contact
Exhibition@NationalWatercolorSociety.org

ARTWORK REQUIREMENT: 

1. Artists must be 18 years or older.
2. Each artist may enter one (1) painting into the exhibition
3. Paintings previously exhibited in any National or International Open Exhibition, including NWS Member Exhibits, are NOT eligible. Member, State, Regional, Invitational exhibitions are permitted. All entries are vetted by the Exhibition Team.
4. Painting must be watermedia paintings on natural or synthetic paper, Yupo, Aquabord and Claybord must be framed. No stretched canvas or canvas board. Collage may be used but aqueous medium must constitute 80% or more of the work. All collage materials must be original designs executed on watermedia paper by the artist.
5. Other media, if used, must be in conjunction with the water media, which must be dominant.
6. Digital media, photography, prints, reproductions, diptychs or triptychs are not permitted.
7. Your entry must be original and not derived from published images; artist's own idea, composition, and design (not computer generated), nor done in a class; or repainted of another painting, by the same artists, from the exact same source image. Photo reference material must have been taken by you. Family vintage photos are not permitted.
8. Painting must be at least 8" x 10" minimum. Maximum size is 40" on the longest dimension and must be entered in inches.
9. All accepted artists are required to ship their paintings.
10. NWS recommends that all International Artists designate a U.S.A. Representative to handle the shipment of your artwork. Review the attached Exhibitors Shipping Documents for details and additional fees.

SUBMISSION: Artwork can only be submitted online via CaFE.  If you do not already have an account,  click here  to create your free account. (CaFE Specs / file type-jpeg or jpg / 1200 pixels or greater on longest side / max 5MB). Images must be cropped to exclude mat, frame and any background. 

FEES, SALES AND LIABILITY: 

1. The non-refundable entry fee is $45 for NWS active members and $70 for non-members. Members must go to the MEMBERS ONLY page of the NWS website to get the discount code for members.  Click here for link. Overpayment of any fee will be considered a donation and will not be refunded (without  exceptions).
2. A Non-Member may join as an Associate Member by paying the $60 annual dues BEFORE entering. To join or pay dues before entering at https://nationalwatercolorsociety.org
3. All paintings will be considered for sale at the price set forth by the artist unless marked NFS (Not for Sale) or 0.  Prices may not be changed once accepted into the exhibition. Your price should reflect the cost of the frame and shipping.  Any painting sold will be subject to a 30% donation to NWS. Purchase Award recipients must ship framed artwork to the Donor (price accordingly / shipped within USA).
4. All accepted artists will be included in the 2025 NWS Annual Exhibition Catalog.  International artists receive a digital copy.
5. Attention International Artists:  NWS wants to make sure you receive all proceeds, including awards.  NWS will provide all documents and tax forms necessary.
6. NWS and its representatives will take the utmost care; but are not responsible for misrepresentation.
7. Monetary awards remaining unclaimed by 12/01/2025 will be forfeited.

** Click here for CAFÉ Tips – including how to find and enter Promo/Discount Code for Members Discount. The Code must be entered prior to checkout.  Can not be submitted afterwards; no refunds. Need help; contact Exhibition Director before paying.

NWS SIGNATURE STATUS INFORMATION:

NWS Associate members and non-members who are juried into this exhibition shall be invited to apply for Signature Membership. NWS By-Laws, Article III, Section 3.01 (A) (B) state that: 

1. Associate and Non-members shall submit three (3) additional paintings, to be viewed by the members of the Jury of Selections; at a time to be set by the Board of Directors.  The Jurors of Selection will make the decision regarding granting Signature Membership.
2. Associates and Non-members shall submit a signed application for Signature Member status providing evidence that he or she has had three (3) paintings accepted and exhibited in the NWS International Open Exhibitions.  Acceptance in the NWS Membership Exhibitions and any other NWS Exhibitions shall not be considered for such application.

Tutorial for Signature Applicants will be Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at 8:00 AM (Pacific Time) via Zoom.

For general questions about the exhibition and/or entry, contact: Exhibition@NationalWatercolorSociety.org

Please submit early, so we can assist you with any technical issues that may arise in the entry process. 

Artists are responsible for monitoring their emails and the NWS website for postings. 

Application Requirements

Artwork previously exhibited in any National or International Open Exhibition including NWS Member Exhibition is NOT eligible.  Member, State, Regional, Invitational exhibitions are permitted.

 All entries are vetted by the Exhibition Team.  Please thoroughly read the prospectus and ask questions prior to entering. 

Eligibility Criteria

Refer to Artwork Requirements.