The Alaska Watercolor Society was formed in 1974 as a not-for-profit organization to help promote the knowledge and understanding of professional watercolor painting in Alaska. The Society sponsors an annual juried watercolor exhibition that is open to all artists 18 years and older living in the United States.
 

Alaska Watercolor Society 44th Annual Juried Exhibition

August 3 – August 30, 2018

2018 Prospectus Calendar

June 1             Entries must be received by midnight MST on this date.  (Submission                        information below)

June 13            Public entry review at the BP Energy Center, Anchorage 7:00 PM

July 1             Notifications e-mailed for accepted paintings and posted at                       www.akws.org.

July 27           Out of town artists should arrange delivery to AKWS agent by this date.

Aug 1              Paintings delivered to 2 Friends Gallery for hanging.

Aug 2             Juror’s lecture, BP Energy Center, 900 E Benson Blvd, Anchorage

Aug 3             Opening reception 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at 2 Friends Gallery

Aug 31           Artists & Watercolor society agent and participating artists pick up                      paintings from 2 Friends Gallery.

Juror:

John Salminen earned his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. He lives and works in Duluth, Minnesota. He teaches workshops, makes presentations and participates in painting events around the world.

John is a signature member of numerous art societies, including the American Watercolor Society – Dolphin Fellowship, the National Watercolor Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America – Distinguished Master. He has served on the board of the TWSA and is a current board member of the American Watercolor Society . He is an honorary member of the Jiangsu Watercolor Research Institute in China and the first American ever to be awarded membership in the Australian Watercolour Institute.
John Salminen's many awards include the American Watercolor Society's Gold Medal (twice), the National Watercolor Society's Silver Star First Place Award (twice), the Allied Artists of America's Gold and Silver Medal and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America's First Place Award (three times). He has also won several international awards in China, Thailand and Pakistan.

Eligibility: Open to all artists 18 years or older, living in the United States. Paintings must be primarily aqua media (watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, egg tempera, water based ink, and water soluble crayon or pencil) over any flat, two dimensional surface, matted and framed under clear acrylic or glass. Water-soluble oil media are not allowed. If pastel or paper collage (created by the artist) is used, they must be in conjunction with aqua media and the aqua media must be the dominant element. Work is limited to two entries per artist. Works previously shown in an AKWS juried exhibition are disqualified. Works must be original.  Paintings done under instruction are allowed, if the choice or arrangement of subject matter is the artist’s, not the teachers, and the teacher has not painted on the painting. Minimum image size 8X10 inches, maximum image size 22X30 inches, less than 2 years old.

Submission information: All submissions will be through CaFE.org,(www.callforentry.org). Image must be correctly oriented (vertical and horizontal). Show the full picture without frame or mat. Digital photo must faithfully reproduce the original painting. The nonrefundable entry fee for one or two paintings is $30 (both members and nonmembers). Payment can be made by credit card through CaFe.org. Please don’t send cash. Digital entries must be received by June 1, 2018. No entries will be accepted after this date.

 Framing: Artists whose entries are accepted must submit paintings matted and framed under clear glass or acrylic (plexiglass). Acrylic “glass” is required for shipped pieces. Mat surface must be white or off-white. Colored inner mats are acceptable up to a maximum width of 0.5 in. Artwork must be presented in a professional manner. Frames should be no wider than 4 in, simple and consistent with framing seen in fine art galleries. Paintings must be prewired for hanging. No uniframes or saw-toothed hangers are allowed.

 Delivery: All accepted entries must be hand-delivered for award selection and hanging. An AKWS volunteer will accept and return invited paintings from out of town artists. Artist must prepay all postage, including return. Detailed information will be emailed to out of town artists whose work has been accepted into the show. There is a charge of $50 for this service. All entries will be handled with the greatest care, but neither AKWS nor the gallery will be responsible for loss or damage. Artists submitting works should carry their own insurance. Shipped works will be returned in their original containers shortly after the exhibition closes.

 Conditions of Acceptance: Selection and invitation will be made by the Juror, John Salminen, based on digital images submitted to CaFE. Acceptance letters will be emailed the week of July 1st, 2018. Award selection will be made by the juror from the actual paintings on July 31st, at the First Congregational Church in Anchorage. Any painting that does not comply with eligibility rules or is not identical to the image submitted will be disqualified and returned to the artist. Artists whose accepted works are not received for exhibition will not be eligible to submit entries to AKWS Juried Shows for 2 years (2019 & 2020).

Sales: Works must be for sale. A 50% commission will be retained by 2 Friends Gallery on all works sold during the exhibition. For further information regarding entries contact: Alicia Armstrong (907) 202-1082 or armstrong2665@gmail.com PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT 2 Friends Gallery.

Awards: John Salminen will select the top paintings for cash/merchandise awards. In 2017 the awards exceeded $5,000 with $1500 for Best in Show.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria