Call Detail

2026 National Watercolor Exhibition

https://markartsks.com/

Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: laura@markartsks.com

Call Overview

Entry Deadline: 8/7/26 at 11:59 p.m. MDT
Days remaining to deadline: 46

Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $25.00
Media Fee(Additional Image Fee): $5.00

Work Sample Requirements


Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Call Type: Exhibitions
Eligibility: National
State: Kansas
Event Dates: 10/2/26 - 12/12/26

Call Description

The 2026 National Watercolor Exhibition is open to all artists living and working in the United States, both amateur and professional. Watercolorist Richard Sneary of Missouri will serve as this year’s exhibition juror. The exhibition will be on view from October 2-December 12, 2026, in the Gladys and Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery at Mark Arts in Wichita, KS. Artwork must be for sale, created in the last two years, and not previously exhibited in Wichita, Kansas.

AWARDS
Mark Arts is proud to offer enticing cash awards to attract leading artists from across the country. $3,000 in Cash Awards will be awarded, including $1,500 for first place.

JUROR | RICHARD SNEARY 

Richard Sneary started painting professionally in 2011, after over 40 years as an architectural illustrator and architect. He has juried into and been invited to more than 100 plein air events and organized paint-outs since then. He is signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Outdoor Painters Society, American Impressionists Society, Missouri and Kansas Watercolor Societies, and Missouri Valley Impressionists Society. Richard taught architectural design and drawing at the University of Kansas from 1977 to 1985 and has led many workshops around the country. Recent awards include: Grand Prize, Lighthouse Plein Air 2022; 2nd Place, Paint Annapolis 2022; 2nd place, Estes Valley Plein Air, 2022 & 2023; Best Body Of Work, En Plein Air Texas 2021; Best Of Show, Stems Plein Air 2020 & 2011; 2nd Place Artists Choice, Telluride 2018; 1st Place Quick Paint, Easels In Frederick 2013; Best of Show, 2018 & 2012 MVIS Annual Juried Exhibition; Historic Preservation Award, Best Architectural Award, Honorable Mention, Best Use Of Light, Honorable Mention, and Life Of A Waterman awards in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023 at Plein Air Easton; Faculty Artist at Streamline’s 3rd Annual Watercolor Live 2023; Faculty Artist at the 11th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo 2024 & The 5th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo 2016; Featured Artist in Watercolor Magazine, “Playing Within the Lines”, February/March 2022; June 2016; Special Feature in Plein Air Magazine, “Deep In The Heart Of West Texas”, June/July 2020; Featured Artist in Plein Air Magazine, Aug/Sept 2014; Best Overall Watercolor for the Apr/May Plein Air Salon Competition. He is represented by Art Gallery Prudencia, San Antonio and McBride Galley, Annapolis, MD.

JUDGING
All entries will be judged from digital images submitted through CaFE Entry or by digital photography submitted with paper form. If upon delivery, an accepted artwork is found to have been misrepresented it may be disqualified. Exhibition selection and award winners will be selected by the juror and all decisions are final.

CALENDAR
▪Friday, August 7: Online submission through Callforentries.org (CaFE ) closes at 11:59 pm Mountain Standard Time; Paper submissions must be received by 5:00 pm
▪Friday, August 14: Result notification e-mail sent to artists by Mark Arts
▪Friday, September 11: Deadline for receipt of shipped artwork to Mark Arts
▪Friday, October 2: Opening reception from 5:00-7:00 pm (remarks at 5:45 pm)
▪Saturday, December 12: Exhibition closes
▪Tuesday, December 15: Hand-delivered artwork picked up
▪Friday, January 8: Shipped artwork is returned

CATALOG
Mark Arts publishes an illustrated catalog with all accepted entries. A complimentary copy will be mailed to each accepted artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Application Requirements

MEDIA LIMITATIONS
Only original paintings in water media on paper are acceptable. Each entry must be wholly designed and executed by the artist. source material must be your own design or your own photograph. You may not use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create reference material or any portion of your artwork. Prints, copies, photolithographic or computer-generated artwork are not eligible. Collage elements must be less than 10% and comprised of water media on paper. Minimum image size is 8 x 10 inches. All artworks must be display-ready with display hardware attached.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY
Mark Arts encourages artists of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to submit work for consideration. The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in the United States, both amateur and professional. Work must be ready to exhibit, created in the past two years, and not previously exhibited in Wichita, KS. Each artist may enter up to four pieces. Artwork should promote an environment conducive to welcoming all audiences to Mark Arts, including school tours and community outreach programs. All artworks must be for sale.