Compete 160th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: November 12, 2026 – The 160th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society will be held April 6– May 7, 2027, at the historic Salmagundi Club in New York City. Receiving submissions from over 30 countries, the 160th Annual Exhibition is a world-class presentation of the best in water media today.
Accompanying the exhibition, a watercolor demonstration featuring Nadine Charlsen, AWS, will be presented Thursday, May 6, both in-person and online via Zoom. Submissions will be accepted September 1- November 12, 2026.
The American Watercolor Society (AWS) is one of America’s oldest arts societies.
Gallery display : April 6, 2027 – May 7, 2027.
Traveling Exhibition following Show.
ELIGIBILITY
Submissions to the Annual International Exhibition are open to artists worldwide, both member and non-member working in water media on paper (Yupo and illustration board are permitted). No other surfaces accepted.
- Watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, and egg tempera are accepted.
- No collage, pastels, digital images, any form of print or reproductions.
- No work previously exhibited in the AWS International Exhibition OR the AWS Associate Members Online Exhibition may be submitted.
- Maximum frame size is 44″ in any direction. (height or width)
- Minimum image size (do not include mat or frame) is 140 square inches (multiply image height x width).
- There is no restriction on the year in which the artwork was completed.
- Artists cannot substitute another work for an accepted work.
- No work generated with or assisted by AI (artificial intelligence) may be submitted to the exhibition. AI cannot be used to create photo references, or used in any other manner in the development of the work.
- All work submitted must be the artist’s original work and authorship only.
- No class work or work done under teacher supervision.
- No copies or likenesses of another artist’s work (with or without permission).
- If the submission is done from photographs, only source material taken by the submitting artist can be used as reference. No exceptions.
AWARDS & TRAVELING EXHIBITION
Up to $50,000 in Cash and Medal Awards.
After the New York show closes, approximately 40 works from the Exhibition will travel the United States for a year as part of the 2027-28 AWS Traveling Exhibition.
APPLY ONLINE – $25 entry
Download Prospectus. Submissions accepted starting September 1, 2026.
Selection Notification Date: December 18, 2026.
SALES
All paintings will be considered for sale at the price set forth by the artist unless marked NFS (Not for Sale) or 0 (zero). Prices may not be changed or withdrawn once submitted. Any painting sold in the Exhibition is subject to a 35% donation to AWS.
About The American Watercolor Society
The American Watercolor Society is one of America’s oldest arts societies. The mission of the American Watercolor Society is to foster the appreciation of watercolor media, and to advance education in support of this end.
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