Georgia Watercolor Society 46th Member Juried Exhibition 

First prize $1K - $3K IN CASH AWARDS!

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

Juror: Russell Jewell

Click here for more information about Jewell Workshop – page in progress

This will be an in-person exhibition held at the Gilmer Arts in Ellijay, Georgia. Gilmer Arts is a non-profit organization founded in 1979. It focuses on enriching the creative and cultural life of Gilmer County through a wide range of arts programs, such as performances, and educational opportunities in the literary, visual, and performing arts. Ellijay is the historic county seat of Gilmer County, the Apple Capital of Georgia, and an Appalachian Trail Community. Mountain vistas, cold clear rivers, specialty, and antique shops, great restaurants, biking, hiking, and so much more await you.

Important dates (2025):

June 22 - Deadline to receive entries

July 7 – Accepted artists are published on GWS website and GWS FB page

July 30 to August 1st- Shipped work must arrive at Gilmer Arts

August 2 - Hand delivery of work between 11 am and 2 pm

August 12 - Exhibition opens

August 13 - 15 – Russell Jewell workshop

August 16 – Russell Jewell demo and Award Ceremony

September 26 - Exhibition closes

September 27 - In person pick up of paintings between 11 am and 2 pm

September 29 - Shipped works will be mailed out

For a complete description of requirements please click here to download the entire prospectus GWS 46thMember Juried Exhibition (in progress)

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.

Online Requirements 

You will need the following information for each painting entered:

·       Title of the painting

·       Size of painting 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:

·       JPEG image must be at least 1200 pixels on the longer side

·       File size is less than 5 MB

·       Images submitted must include ONLY the artwork. Do not include framework or surroundings.

·       File name includes the artist’s name (last,first), title, size of image, city, state. Each item is separated by underscore. Example: Smith,John_SunsetAtParis_21x16_MilledgevilleGA

·       Payment online can be made via PayPal or credit card.

If you have difficulty paying on the CaFÉ website, please notify Entry Exhibition Chair (president@georgiawatercolorsociety.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 July 7, 2025 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 Gilmer Arts 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 April 1, 2023.
• 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.
• Allowed water media: watercolor, casein, gouache, egg tempera, water-soluble ink, acrylic 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.
• Preprinted or computer-generated images are NOT ACCEPTED.
• Watercolor crayons and pencils are accepted if part of it is dissolved in water.
• Allowed surface: paper, Yupo, Claybord, rice paper, watercolor canvas and Tyvek.
• Media NOT allowed: pastels, charcoal, alcohol ink, oil, and water-soluble oil.
• Work previously exhibited, or modified after being 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.
• See FAQs for more information: GWS FAQ’s 

Presentation

·       All paintings are to be framed in wood or metal; accepted colors include gold, silver, black, brown, white or natural wood tones.  

·       Frames are to be plain, unadorned with no beading, with a smooth finish and no distressed painting, and must not exceed 3” in width. They must be ready for hanging with wire in place.

·       Plexiglass must be used – NO GLASS.

·       Work may be varnished or waxed before framing (varnished/waxed paintings do not require plexiglass or paper mat).

·       If you want to use a paper mat with a varnished/waxed painting you must protect it with plexiglass.

·       Maximum frame size may not exceed 40” in either direction.

·       Image size displayed within the mat is no smaller than 80 square inches, with no side smaller than 8 inches.

·       Mats (double or single) must be only white or variations of white (e.g. cream or off-white) with no accent colors, in untextured paper.

·       The mat contains one single opening. 

·       Diptychs or triptychs are not accepted.

·       Any painting submitted in violation of these presentation rules, at the discretion of the GWS board may either be rejected from the exhibition or allowed to stay in the exhibition but not eligible for any awards.

Packaging & Delivery/Shipping

Shipping Artwork 

·       SHIP ONLY VIA UPS OR FEDEX TO:

Gilmer Arts

207 Dalton Street

Ellijay, GA 30540

706-635-5605

·       To avoid handling fees, you must use a TOP LOADING box in the same style of Airfloat Strongbox, or Masterpack TitanStrongBox, or Uline Deluxe Artwork Shipper. SIDE LOADING BOXES MUST INCLUDE $50.00 HANDLING FEE.

·       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.

·       Paintings must be shipped to arrive at the center between July 30 to August 1st, 2025. 

·        IMPORTANT: A prepaid return shipping label must be enclosed. Do not include shipping labels that contain a booklet of carbon copies. It must be a self-adhesive label or a printed label on a single piece of paper.

·       Handling fee is only charged if you don’t use the boxes specified above. If you choose to use a side-loading box, please include a $50.00 check made to GWS inside your box. Improper packaging may result in damaged, returned or unopened shipments. 

Hand-delivered Artwork

Hand-delivered paintings must arrive on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 between 11 am and 2 pm, at: 

·       Gilmer Arts

207 Dalton Street

Ellijay, GA 30540

706-635-5605

·       Pick-up is Saturday, September 27, 2025 between 11 am and 2 pm. No early or late pick-ups allowed.

Eligibility Criteria

·       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.

·       All work must abide by the rules stated on this Application.