Call Description

Georgia Watercolor Society 2026 Member Juried Exhibition 

$3K IN CASH AWARDS! First prize $1K in cash.

Exhibition dates: September 25 through November 6th, 2026

This competition is open to all artists 17 years of age and older residing in the U.S. who are members of the Georgia Watercolor Society.

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

Juror: Diana Toma
Click here for more information about Diana Toma Workshop – link in progress

This will be an in-person exhibition held at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) in Watkinsville, Georgia. OCAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the creative and cultural vitality of Oconee County and the greater Athens‑area community. Founded to foster arts accessibility, it offers a diverse lineup of visual arts exhibitions, artist workshops, live performances, cultural events, and educational outreach programs for all ages. By partnering with local schools, artists, and regional businesses, OCAF strengthens community engagement and promotes lifelong arts education and appreciation.

Watkinsville is the charming historic seat of Oconee County, a vibrant creative hub nestled just outside Athens, Georgia. Blending small‑town Southern charm with a thriving arts scene, the area features scenic countryside, curated art galleries, unique local shops, farm‑to‑table dining, outdoor recreation trails, and a bustling downtown square. Year‑round cultural celebrations, art walks, live music, and community festivals make Watkinsville a lively destination for artists, visitors, and residents alike.

Important dates (2026) :
July 26 - Deadline to receive entries, midnight MOUNTAIN TIME
Aug 7 – Accepted artists are published on GWS website and GWS FB page
September 7 to 11 - Shipped work must arrive at OCAF
September 12 - Hand delivery of work between 11 am and 2 pm
September 23 - Exhibition opens
September 23 - 25 – Diana Toma workshop
September 25 – Opening Reception at OCAF
September 26 – Diana Toma demo and Award Ceremony
November 6 - Exhibition closes
November 7 - In person pick up of paintings between 11 am and 2 pm
November 10 - Shipped works will be mailed out
 

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.
 

For a complete printable copy, please click here to download the entire prospectus
GWS 2026 Member Juried Exhibition (in progress)

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 is less than 5 Mb
• Image 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 trouble with the online payment, please notify Entry Show Chair at:
  kruger.traci@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 Aug 7, 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 artistswill 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 OCAF 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 workincluding 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, 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 ONLY 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 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.
• Cradled Claybord or Aquabord are not required to be framed if the paintings are waxed or varnished; all other paintings require framing, including canvas. 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.
• 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:
  Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation
  34 School Street
  Watkinsville, GA 30677
  706-769-4565
  • 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, and not be displayed.
  • Paintings must be shipped to arrive at the center between September 7 and 11, 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 September 12, 2026 between 11 am and 2
pm, at: 
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation
34 School Street
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706-769-4565
Pick-up is Saturday, November 7, 2026 between 11 am and 2 pm. No early or late
pick-ups allowed.

• Questions about the exhibition and workshop, reach out to the Show Co-Chairs:
  Leslie Guo - membershow_chair1@georgiawatercolorsociety.com
  Karen Sturm - membershow_chair2@georgiawatercolorsociety.com
•  
• Questions about the Café Entry:
  Traci Kruger - kruger.traci@gmail.com
•  
• Questions about membership:
  Crystal Nichols - membership@georgiawatercolorsociety.com
•  
• For all other questions:
  inquiries@georgiawatercolorsociety.com
•  

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.