Call for Entries

Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Inc.

57th Annual Juried Exhibition

PROSPECTUS

ENTRY DEADLINE – NOVEMBER 6, 2026

Exhibition Dates: March 12, 2027 through May 16, 2027

Opening Reception & Awards- Friday, March 12, 2027, 5:00 – 8:00pm

Awards presented at 5:30pm

Historic Arkansas Museum

200 East 3rd Street

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Awards over $8000.00 are anticipated.

OnlineJuriedShows will handle all entries.

PLEASE NOTE-MSW reserves the right to change the exhibition to “online only” should circumstances call for such.

Please read and print out all pages of this Prospectus for you.

JUROR- David R. Smith

David R. Smith began his artistic journey studying Asian Brush Painting in the United States and China.  A decade later, he was introduced to Western style watercolor painting and was amazed at how enjoyable and forgiving it was compared to working on rice paper.  Ever since, he has been hooked on watercolor painting, and has become a popular artist and instructor nationally and internationally, as well as a sought-after juror.  David is the recipient of the Skyledge Award (the highest recognition awarded by the Transparent Watercolor Society of America), a signature member of the TWSA, the recipient of the High Winds Medal and signature member of the American Watercolor Society, signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and his work has earned him numerous “Best of Show” awards for both his studio and plein air work, signature memberships, showings in galleries and museums across the United States and abroad, and inclusion in publications including Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist, and multiple editions of SPLASH – The Best of Watercolor.  With over 25 years of experience as a public school teacher, he is skilled at breaking down complex concepts and skills into easily learned chunks and now enjoys helping workshop participants find success with watercolor.  As much as he loves to paint, he has found sharing his watercolor passion through instruction even more gratifying and he is most rewarded when he hears a frequent comment: “This is one of the best workshops I’ve ever taken.”

Exhibition Calendar

1.    Membership dues must be paid on or before November 6, 2026

2.    Entry deadline date is Friday, November 6, 2026

3.    Notification of acceptance/decline by December 12, 2026

4.    Shipment of accepted entries to the Historic Arkansas Museum must arrive between February 8 - 12, 2027 (instructions in this prospectus.)

5.    Hand-delivery of paintings to Historic Arkansas Museum on Friday February 12, 2027, between  10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

6.    Prizes will be given out at 5:30pm sharp.   Exhibition will be open to the public March 12 through May 16, 2027.

7.    Pick up of paintings at the Historical Arkansas Museum,

May 21 ,2027, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

8.    Neither the exhibition committee nor the venue will be responsible for removing or storing paintings not collected on the appropriate day.

9.    Please note that artist’s statements are due to the exhibition chair no later than January 8, 2027. Please put all dates on your calendar!!

Eligibility

1.    This exhibition is open to artists anywhere who are current members of Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Inc. (MSW), or who become members as a condition of entering the exhibition.

2.    Artist’s original work only. No copies or likeness of work including photographs, published works or references not attributable to the artist are eligible. Work painted under the guidance of a teacher is not permitted.

3.    No work previously exhibited in a juried MSW show is eligible.

4.    MSW reserves the right to refuse any work submitted.

5.    Paintings must be on paper or Yupo. Media may be watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache, egg tempera. Collage materials, if used, must be the artist’s original work and must meet the media criteria above. No pastels, digital images, or any form of print or reproductions.

6.    Size - There is no minimum size. However, the maximum unframed size for entries should not exceed 44”. (See Framing Requirements in this document.)

Entry Information and Fees

1.    This is a members-only exhibition show.  Membership must be current or your entry will be declined.  Dues are $45.  If you are not already a member of MSW, pay membership fees online when you submit your images and immediately mail the completed membership application provided at the bottom of this prospectus.

2.    Artists may submit one or two paintings. The entry fee for the exhibition is $45 for up to two entries.  To enter, log in and click Enter This Show above, and follow the directions in the next section.  

3.    No digital enhancement is allowed; image should represent the painting.

4.    Please refer to tutorials and videos at www.onlinejuriedshows.com for assistance with photographing, uploading and resizing images. Help with photographing your work and properly sizing your images can be found at www.OnlineJuriedShows.com/help.aspx. 

5.    Images must be jpg and under 4 mb. For best results, images should be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side @ 72 dpi.

6.    All inquiries regarding help with your submission should be submitted to onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351

Please add services@onlinejuriedshows.com and manager@onlinejuriedshows.com to your safe senders list to ensure notifications are received.

Framing Requirements For Accepted Works

1.    Entries must be framed and under Plexiglas.

2.    A completed Painting Label Form (will be provided to the accepted artists) must be securely affixed to the back of the framed painting, upper right side.

3.    The frame must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the artwork without buckling the Plexiglas. Frames, whether wood or metal, must arrive in good condition with corners firmly fixed. The committee reserves the right to reject frames that arrive in poor condition.

4.    Frames must be a maximum of two inches wide and must be plain and undecorated. Metal sectional frames are allowable, however NO VIVID COLORS such as red, yellow, etc. will be accepted. Poster frames are not allowable.

5.    Works must arrive ready for hanging by the Museum. Two “D” rings should be secured by screws in the back, one on the left and one on the right side, between 3-5 inches from the top of the frame.

                  D ring

•     ONLY Single or double mats will be accepted, and the following conditions apply:

o   All matting must be white or off white, only.

o   Mats must have clean cuts that are even and not overcut in the corners.

o   No colored lining will be accepted.

•     Paintings that are mounted without matting, or floated, must be mounted on a background that is white or off-white.

•     There shall be no debris or loose material beneath the Plexiglas.

•     Diptychs and triptychs must be mounted within a single frame and entered as a single entry.

Liability

All reasonable care will be given to the works submitted, but neither MSW nor Historical Arkansas Museum will assume any liability for damage or deterioration before, during or after the exhibition. Artists should carry their own insurance.

Other Regulations

•     The Juror will be the sole judge as to which works are selected for the Exhibition and will determine all award winners.

•     By participating in the exhibit, the artist/owner allows MSW to act as the artist/owner for the purpose of loaning the artwork to the Museum.

•     All work accepted by the Juror for this Exhibition will be displayed at the Historical Arkansas Museum from March12,2027 until May 16, 2027. MSW and HAM will have the right to reproduce accepted entries in our catalogs, press releases, Internet websites, social media sites and similar informational outlets for publicity purposes.

•     Painting sales will be handled by the artist. No commission will be charged. The cost of shipping for purchased paintings will be covered by the buyer and/or the artist. All work must remain in the Exhibition for the full duration of the Exhibition period; this applies also to paintings sold.

•     All paintings must be picked up on the scheduled day after the Exhibition closes. If you cannot pick up your painting, you must make arrangements for someone to pick up for you. This date is May 21, 2027.

Shipping of accepted paintings should be addressed as follows AND MUST INCLUDE INSIDE, A PREPAID RETURN SHIPPING LABEL: Please make sure your shipping box is in good condition. Paintings being shipped must arrive between February 8, 2027 and February 12,2027. PLEASE DO NOT USE “POPCORN” IN THE PACKAGING!!!!

 Mid-Southern Watercolorists

 c/o Historical Arkansas Museum

1100 North Street

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Checklist for entering the MSW Annual Exhibition

•     Online Entry fee paid ($45 for one or two entries, non-refundable)

•     Current Membership paid ($45 for new membership or for renewal if membership dues are not current)

•     Entry form completed and included. Liability form sent with art.

•     Please Read the Prospectus and Make a copy of all information in this prospectus for your file

You may send inquiries to Sage Arnold at sageinc@icloud.com

Membership Application Form

You may pay your membership dues when entering online upon checkout, however, you will still need to immediately mail the following completed membership form to:

MSW – Membership

P.O. Box 842

 Little Rock, AR 72203

By submitting to this show, you agree to the following:    I have read this prospectus in full and agree to abide by all the terms enclosed therein.