Call Description

National Watercolor Society (NWS) 2026 Member Exhibition is open to all Active NWS Members. This is an ONLINE Virtual Exhibition. $10,000 in CASH AWARDS to honor our NWS Past Presidents. Two (2) $2,000, Two (2) 1,000, Four (4) $500, Four (4) $300, Four (4) $200 and one (1) ScholArtship Award. 

Click here for Prospectus
Exhibition Dates: 
Jan 1-Feb 20, 2026     Entries accepted at www.callforentry.org
February 20, 2026       Entry deadline - 4:00 pm, Pacific Time Zone
March 20, 2026           List of Accepted Artists posted to NWS website
May 1-June 30, 2026  Exhibition Dates

JUROR of Selection and Awards:  Kathleen Giles, NWS-M, AWS, TWSA, WIW, PWS, NFWS, WHS

Kathleen Giles, NWS Master Signature Member, is a distinguished watercolor artist known for realistic portrayal of everyday life, which have garnered numerous awards throughout her career. Her work is characterized by strong values and vibrant, intense colors, capturing a wide range of subjects with  exceptional precision.  A passionate educator, Kathleen travels across the U.S. to teach both in-person and online workshops.

In 2024, her painting “Life is Having Time for Nature” won first place in the Richeson Portrait Competition. That same year, "Life is a Reflection of Youth" received the Edgar Whitney Memorial Award at the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, as well as the Watercolor USA Honor Society Escoda Brush Award at Watercolor USA.   Kathleen’s artwork has also graced the pages of Splash 25: The Best of Watercolor, adding to her past appearances in Splash 24, 23, 21, 20, 17 and 15.

Kathleen’s dedication extends beyond exhibitions – she was honored as a 2023 Arc Salon winning artist for her powerful painting "Tears for Ukraine".  Kathleen’s has multiple accolades from NWS including the NWS Purchase Award for both "Life is Looking for Crayfish" and “Vanity".  In 2022, her painting "Life Is Feeling Boxed In" received the Bronze Medal from the American Watercolor Society.   

Application Requirements

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS:

1.    Open to all Active NWS Members.  2026 NWS Membership annual dues must be paid prior to entry. If you are not currently a member please join as an Associate Member by going to the NWS website: www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org 

2.    Artists must be 18 years or older.

3.    Artists may enter two (2) paintings; only 1 painting per artist is eligible for acceptance into the exhibition.

4.   Painting must NOT have received an award in any national or international exhibition; nor previously accepted in any NWS Exhibition.

 5.   Painting must be watermedia paintings on natural or synthetic paper Yupo, Aquabord and Claybord. Stretched canvas or canvas boards are not permitted. Collage elements may be incorporated, but they must not exceed 20% of the overall composition or the substrate/painting surface.  At least 80% or more must be painted with aqueous mediums. All collage materials must be original designs  created by the artist on watermedia paper.

6.    Digital media, photography, prints, and reproductions 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 a repainting of another painting, by the same artist, from the exact same source image. Photo reference material must have been taken by you. Vintage photos are not permitted.

8.    2D Artwork image size;  No minimum or maximum size for this online-virtual exhibition.

FEES, SALES & LIABILITY:

• Entry fee is $45 for 1 image / $55 for 2 images (All entry fees are non-refundable without exceptions and will be considered a donation to NWS).
• All paintings will be considered for sale at the price established by the artist unless marked $0 or NFS (Not for Sale). Once submitted, prices may not be changed or withdrawn. Accepted painting marked for sale may NOT be offered for sale in any other exhibition (physical or virtual) during the period of May 1 - June 30, 2026.  
• NWS is responsible for all sales and will retain a 30% commission for exhibition sales. Also, NWS is due a 30% commission on “presold” paintings - those sold before the exhibition opens.
• Permission is granted to reproduce the painting in promotion of the exhibition and to use this image for educational and publicity purposes.
• This Exhibition does NOT qualify for NWS Signature status.
• Attention International Artists: NWS wants to make sure you receive all proceeds, including awards.  NWS will provide all documents and tax forms necessary.
• Monetary awards remaining unclaimed by 12/1/2026 will be forfeited.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be an active member of the National Watercolor Society. 

If you are not currently a member you may join as an Associate Member by going to the NWS website: www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org 

AGREEMENT / CONDITIONS & RULES:

Failure to meet ANY of the conditions may result in the disqualification of your entry and may result in ineligibility to enter any future NWS exhibitions for a minimum of two (2) years and forfeiting any awards.

1. Submission to this exhibition shall constitute an Agreement on the part of the artist to comply with the conditions set forth in this Prospectus. 

2.  If my artwork is selected and it does not meet eligibility requirements set forth in the prospectus, I will be disqualified. Accepted entries may not be withdrawn by the artist.

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.