PROSPECTUS
Due date and entry site revised 5/4/26 due to SDWS site outage
San Diego Watercolor Society 46th International Exhibition
September 27 – October 31, 2026
Anticipated $30,000+ in Cash and Merchandise Awards
2026 Exhibition Calendar
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February 1
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Call for Entry Opens online at www.sdws.org
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May 22
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Entry Deadline at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
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June 15
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Acceptance Notifications
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July 13 – Aug 2
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Shipping/Delivery (instructions provided)
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September 26
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First Look and Awards Gala (invite only)
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September 27
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Artists’ Breakfast / EXHIBITION OPENS 11 AM
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October 2
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First Friday public opening reception
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October 31
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Exhibition Closes 3 PM
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Online Entry Only
· Enter on OnlineJuriedShows. Log in and Click Enter This Show above to begin your submissions
· Juror selects based on images. They must be of the painting only, no frame/mat, added text
· Please submit high-resolution images, jpg format, 1,920 pixels on either side (min 800) and no more than 4 MB
· Paintings must be square or rectangle, painting no less than 11” and painting/frame max of 48” on either side
· Up to three entries are allowed. Only one per artist may be juried into the show.
· Pay only when you are finished with your entries. There are no refunds. Unpaid entries as of the CFE deadline are not juried.
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Eligibility
· Open to watermedia artists 18 years and older.
· Idea, design, and composition must be wholly original and created by the artist.
· Cannot be derived from any published images nor created under any supervision. No AI.
· Paintings only. Must be water-based media (watercolor, acrylic, gouache, casein, or tempera) on natural or synthetic paper, paperboard, wrapped canvas, or cradled wood panel.
· No oils are allowed, including sealants.
· Collage material and non-water-based media are acceptable if not more than 20% of the painting.
· Paintings divided into panels (ex. Diptychs and Triptychs) are not permitted.
· Painting may not have received an award in any national or international shows as of the entry date.
· Painting may not have been in a previous SDWS International Exhibition.
· Paintings altered in any way after entry is submitted will be disqualified.
· There is no date/age restriction.
· Artists are responsible for ensuring their paintings and entry images are free of copyright infringement and for resolving any copyright issues which arise.
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Fees (non-refundable) payable through OnlineJuriedShows
• Members: $45 first entry; $15 each additional
• Non-Members: $55 first entry; $15 each additional
• You may choose to join SDWS before beginning the entry process to take advantage of member pricing. Email membership@sdws.org for assistance.
• Accepted artists: $66 exhibition fee must be paid prior to shipping or delivery.
• Accepted artist bears cost of shipping. Lack of a return label incurs a $25 admin fee for SDWS to obtain return labels at the close of the show.
• Artists may pay an exhibition framing fee and ship unframed to our framer.
Accepted Entries
• Only one per artist may be juried into the exhibition.
• Must comply with framing requirements and shipping/delivery instructions provided with acceptance notifications or be disqualified.
• Accepted paintings will be included in the exhibition catalog, the SDWS website, and may be used for SDWS social media and other publicity.
• Complimentary catalog provided to accepted artists.
Sales
· Minimum painting sale price $500.
· SDWS retains 30% commission of the sales price.
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Juror: Ana Laura Salazar comes from a family of artists, inheriting her talent from her mother, Martha Orozco. Her artistic training, complemented by various workshops, prepared her to excel in the field of painting, particularly in the watercolor technique. She has been a member of the Mexican Society of Watercolorists since 1987. Throughout her career, she has showcased her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Mexico, Bulgaria, India, China and the US. Her paintings have earned national and international awards. Notably, receiving the Premio Tlacuilo multiple times at the National Watercolor Salon, organized by the National Watercolor Museum in Mexico City, as well as the Premio Tláloc, awarded by the Watercolor Museum of the State of Mexico.
Internationally, she has achieved significant recognition, including serving as a juror of the III International Youth Watercolor Festival held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 2025, being invited as a judge for the 2nd Kipus Bolivia Exhibition in 2024, being invited to 1st Qingdao International Watercolor Festival held in China in 2023, and winning first place in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) International Exhibition for two consecutive years 2018 & 2019.
Ana Laura’s artistic journey reflects a passion for watercolor and a commitment to promoting this technique through her acclaimed paintings and workshops. She is currently fully dedicated to the visual arts, teaching painting techniques in her private studio and is excited to serve as the 2026 SDWS 46th International Exhibition Juror. @analaurasalazar
Venue
The San Diego Watercolor Society was established in 1965 and is one of the largest and most active water-media societies in the United States. Its International Exhibition is recognized globally for the highest standard of excellence in water-based art. The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery is in Liberty Station at 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 105, San Diego, California 92106, (619) 876-4550.
Release Agreement: By entering the SDWS International Exhibition artists certify agreement that:
• SDWS does not carry any insurance coverage for paintings.
• SDWS will take reasonable precautions in handling and protecting paintings but is not responsible for loss, damage or theft, however caused.
• Insurance for shipping, storage, exhibition, or any other reason is the artist’s responsibility.
• On behalf of self, heirs, legal representatives and/or assigns to release and discharge SDWS and its directors, officers, volunteers, shippers, framer, any other representatives or assigns from any liability for damage, loss, or theft of paintings in connection with this Exhibition.
• SDWS has the right to use all entry images and accepted paintings displayed in the SDWS gallery for publicity, catalog, slideshows and videos at the discretion of the SDWS.
Signature & Master Artist Membership:
• Signature members may use the SDWS initials after their names. This honor is for artists who have been juried into three annual SDWS International Exhibitions.
• Continuous membership is required to maintain Signature status.
• Artists who have been juried into ten SDWS International Exhibitions are eligible for Master Artist status that includes the benefit of annual membership dues being waived for life.
Disqualification:
Artists who fail to comply with this Prospectus in its entirety will be disqualified from the current year’s exhibition and up to two subsequent SDWS International Exhibitions. The SDWS International Exhibition Director has the sole discretion for judgement as to whether criteria are met and any disqualifications.
Questions:
For help with your entries, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351
Please contact the International Exhibition Director, Joseph Gass at sdws.intl.show@gmail.com with any questions.