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Philadelphia Water Color Society
Philadelphia Water Color Society

124th International Exhibition of Works on Paper

September 17 – October 19, 2024 The Henry Gallery, Malvern, PA
Deadline was July 10th. Open to Members and Non-Members.
Homes twenty-nine by Sun Jiangang
Homes twenty-nine by Sun Jiangang

Deadline for entry has passed.
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Deadline for entry was July 10, 2024

Venue

The Henry Gallery
Penn State Great Valley
30 E. Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355

Awards

Over $10,000 in Awards including:
  • $2,000 PWCS Award for Best in Show
  • $1,500 Elizabeth Shober Hooper Award for Excellence in Presentation & Technique
  • $1,000 PWCS Founders Award

Juror of Selection

Christopher Leeper
Christopher Leeper is a full-time artist from Canfield, OH. He is the author of Realism in Water media, North Light. He has illustrated four children’s books for the Smithsonian and the African Wildlife Foundation. His work has been featured in several books and publications, including The Artist’s Magazine, American Artist, Plein Air Magazine and Ohio Magazine. He is a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University. He served as president of the Ohio Watercolor Society (2008-2012).

His website is christopherleeper.com.

Judge of Awards

Tim Saternow
Tim Saternow is an American painter whose watercolor paintings explore the lost and forgotten areas on the edges of the urban scene. His work encompasses the old High Line train trestle above the gritty industrial streets of New York City, the empty homesteads of Joshua Tree, California, and the dignified and genial old houses of Provincetown, on Cape Cod. He paints large architectural landscape watercolors with a thick use of watercolor paint, playing with the tension between the illusions of depth, carefully drawn linear perspective, and an obvious play on the surface of the paper through watermarks, paint runs, blooms and spatters. Saternow is particularly sensitive to the emotive power of light, especially the distinct light of fall and winter creating deep shadows while playing across the faces of the old brick townhouses in New York and the weathered clapboard of Cape Cod. Tim Saternow was awarded the 2019 Fellowship with The Clark Hulings Fund, and is currently an Executive Fellow in the Clark Hulings Fund’s Art-Business Accelerator Program.

His website is timsaternow.com.

Entry Fee

  • PWCS Members: $45
  • Non-Members: $55
Member dues must be paid in full prior to entering the PWCS 2024 International Works on Paper Exhibit. “Paid in Full” means that your dues are paid until December 31, 2024. If you are not already a member, consider joining as there are several new membership benefits which include discounted rates for workshops, demonstrations, and talks. pwcsociety.org/membership

Viewing your membership status, payment of any dues, and updating your contact information can be done by logging into your profile at pwcs.wildapricot.org/sys/profile.

The entry fee entitles entrants to submit two paintings for consideration by the Juror of Selection for inclusion in the exhibition. No more than one painting per entrant may be selected for this exhibition.

There will be no refunds once your entry is submitted, regardless of the status of your entry. Entries may be disqualified for not following entry guidelines including digital image preparation.

Conditions and Rules for Acceptance

Submissions and artwork that do not comply with the following conditions and rules will not be accepted and will be returned at the artist’s expense. The artist may be excluded from future exhibitions sponsored by the PWCS for a period of two years.

  • Artists must be 18 or older.
  • Work previously exhibited in any PWCS juried exhibition. Artwork cannot be exhibited concurrently in other shows, live or online.
  • All entries must be for sale. Prices cannot be changed once submitted.
  • Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work.
  • Artists notified of acceptance may not withhold their work for any reason.
  • Entries must have been created within the last 3 years. Artwork produced prior to June 2021 will not be accepted.
  • For any art purchases, the information for contacting the artist will be done by PWCS. There will be no commission taken this year.
For additional criteria, please download the prospectus.

Eligible Work

  1. Media: In addition to watercolor; soft pastels, charcoal, graphite, colored pencil, pen & ink, gouache, acrylic, and hand-pulled prints are also accepted. All work must be original and on or of paper. Clay prints on Reemay using water soluble mediums are acceptable. Collage elements must be of paper and cannot be mounted on canvas. Any image or color on collage papers must be of water media and the work of the artist – no cutouts from digital work will be accepted.
  2. Oils, oil pastels, photographic, digital, electronic processes or computer art will not be accepted.
  3. Artwork must be original and not completed under teacher supervision, either in a class/workshop (online or in person), from a DVD, or a book. Photo reference must have been taken by the entrant.
  4. Because of limited gallery space, Framed size cannot exceed 42” in height or width. No side of the image visible within the mat can be less than 10” unless the length multiplied by the width exceeds 100 square inches (i.e., 9” x 12” = 108 sq. in.).

    Note that the measurement is of the painting within the border of the mat and not the size of the paper used before matting.

Shipping Requirements

  1. Airfloat Systems: For optimal protection, we recommend using Airfloat Systems' StrongBox products for shipping individual works. These boxes are designed specifically for art and provide a layer of reusable StrongBox cushioning, ensuring added safety during transit. For larger shipments or particularly valuable items, custom crating solutions should be considered. For more information, please go to the website: airfloatsystems.com/strongbox
  2. Labeling: Clearly label all crates with the exhibition name, contact details of the receiving institution, and a list of contents. Fragile items should be marked accordingly.
  3. Selection: Shipments must be entrusted to professional carriers with proven experience in art transportation. Preferred carriers include specialized art transport companies; however, for less valuable or robust works, FedEx and USPS may be considered with the appropriate service level.

Insurance

Full Coverage: Comprehensive insurance covering the full appraised value of the artworks from departure to return is mandatory. This insurance must protect against all risks of physical loss or damage.

Shipping Costs and Carrier Instructions

USPS & FedEx:
  • Cost Estimates: For works that meet the size and value criteria for shipment via USPS or FedEx, shipping costs can be estimated based on the size, weight, and insurance value of the packaged artwork. As of our last update, FedEx offers an "Art Box" with dimensions that can accommodate most works on paper. However, costs can vary widely depending on dimensions, weight, destination, and the level of insurance required.
  • USPS tends to be more cost-effective for smaller, lighter packages but may have limitations on insurance and tracking capabilities for high-value items.
  • FedEx is recommended for its reliable tracking, customer service, and comprehensive insurance options, though it may be more expensive than USPS.
  • Shipping Recommendations: For high-value works or those requiring the utmost care, FedEx Priority Overnight or a similar expedited service is recommended. This service minimizes the time artworks spend in transit and reduces the risk of environmental or handling damage.

Cost Management

Budgeting: Allocate a portion of the exhibition budget for shipping, taking into account the variable costs associated with distance, package size, and insurance value. Early estimation and booking can help secure better rates.

Return Shipping

Replicating Standards: The same high standards applied to the initial shipment must be mirrored for the return, ensuring artworks are returned in their original condition. Any changes in packaging or shipping arrangements require prior written approval from the lender.

Sales

Work must be for sale; NFS is not allowed.

All accepted artwork must be for sale. For any art purchases, the information for contacting the artist will be done by PWCS. There will be no commission taken this year.

Notifications

Notifications will be made by email on or about Wednesday, August 7, 2024. If your work is accepted, you will receive one email with the accepted painting(s) listed. If your work is not accepted, you will receive one email with no paintings listed.

Conditions for Accepted Work

All artwork must have a clean image without mat showing since this will be an online show. PWCS reserves the right to review all entries, for conformance to the specifications outlined herein and reserves the right to reject any work which does not conform to entry requirements and/or does not match the accepted digital entry.

Withholding

Once accepted, works cannot be withheld from the exhibition. “Failure To Deliver” will result in a two-year exclusion from all juried PWCS exhibitions.

Exhibition Catalog

The 2024 International Exhibition will once again feature a printed catalog of accepted artwork and award winners. The catalog is a wonderful addition to our 124th exhibition and will be sent to all participants following the close of the exhibition (note: International exhibitors will receive a pdf version).

In the past we had a grant to help us pay for the catalog; however, that came to an end in 2019. If you can, a small donation towards catalog production will be appreciated. To make your donation please follow this link pwcs.wildapricot.org/exhibitions/124th-International-Show

Signature Membership

An Associate Member in good standing will become a Signature Member after exhibiting in two Anniversary International Exhibitions. An Associate Member cannot have an interruption in membership between the first and second acceptance to validate Signature Membership. Signature Members in good standing may use the initials “PWCS” after their name.

Questions?

If you have any questions, you can use the online form on the 124th International Exhibition webpage. You can also visit the Philadelphia Water Color Society website to learn about Digital Entry Preparations and check your membership status.

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on August 7, 2024.

You may view the notification in your ShowSubmit account by logging in and tapping the Notifications at the top right of the screen, or in your Entry History.

If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.

Note: Entries made prior to 2023 may not display the View Notification link.

Image and Filename Specifications

  • File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
  • Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
  • Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
  • Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
  • File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
  • File Size: There is a 30mb maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.

Additional Entry Information

  • You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
  • After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (July 10, 2024.)
  • Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
  • Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Support

Need Assistance? For questions about the entry process or using this website, please check our Help Center or Entry Guide first for detailed guides and troubleshooting tips. Most answers can be found there quickly.

If you still need help, feel free to email ShowSubmit Support at [email protected], and we’ll respond between 9am and 6pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday.