Call Description

Long Description:

2026 GA Watercolor NTL Show

First prize $2K - ANTICIPATED $12K IN AWARDS!

Entry fee for up to three images: $35 for Members / $60 for Non-Members. Click here to JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP.  To request your member discount, please email entrychair@georgiawatercolorsociety.com

Juror: Carol Carter

Click here for more information about Carol Carter Workshop (in progress)

This will be an in-person exhibition held at the Carrollton Center for the Arts. The Arts Center provides a home for high-quality arts programming for residents and visitors through education, cultural enrichment and arts advocacy for Carrollton and surrounding communities. The National Exhibition will be displayed in a beautiful venue that includes a 3,000-square-foot art gallery for exhibitions, and a galleria for permanent art and rotating art exhibitions. Carrollton is located one hour from the Atlanta Airport, and it is adjacent to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. Carrolton is the home of the University West GA. Downtown Carrollton pairs fun, funky shops and eateries with tradition and historic architecture.

Important dates (2026) :

February 8 - Deadline to receive entries

March 1 – Accepted artists are published on GWS website and GWS FB page

April 1st, 2nd and 3rd - Shipped work must arrive at Carrollton Center for the Arts

April 4th - Hand delivery of work between 11 am and 2 pm

April 18 - Exhibition opens

April 15, 16, 17 WED – FRI 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Carol Carter workshop (in progress)

April 18 – Carol Carter demo and Award Ceremony

May 22 - Exhibition closes

May 23, SAT 11:00 am – 2:00 pm - In person pick up of paintings

May 26 - Shipped works will be mailed out

For a complete description of requirements please click here to download the entire prospectus 2026 GA Watercolor NTL Show (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, and that you comply with all rules stipulated in the prospectus.

*See FAQ’s for more information. https://georgiawatercolorsociety.com/faqs

 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 is 1200 pixels on the longer side

•           File size less than 5.0 Mb

•           Image submitted must include ONLY the artwork. Do not include framework or surroundings.

•           Filename includes the artist’s name (last,first), title. Each item is separated by underscore. Example: Smith,John_SunsetAtParis

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

If you have trouble with the online payment, please notify Entry Exhibition Chair (entrychair@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 March 1, 2026 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 Carrollton Center for the 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 January 1, 2024
• 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, 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.
• 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, watercolor canvas, canvas, Claybord, rice paper, 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.  Cradled Clayboard is not required to be framed; all other paintings require framing, including canvas.

•           Frames are to be PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!, 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 48” 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.

•           Improperly framed pieces or those unsuitable for hanging will be returned.

•           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:

Carrollton Center for the Arts

251 Alabama Street

Carrollton GA 30117

770-838-1083

•           To avoid handling fees, you must use a TOP LOADING box such as 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 and not be displayed.

•           Paintings must be shipped to arrive at the center between April 1- 3, 2026.

•           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, April 4th, 2026 between 11 am and 2 pm, at: 

Carrollton Center for the Arts

251 Alabama Street

Carrollton GA 30117

770-838-1083

•           Pick-up is Saturday, May 23, 2026 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.