Deadline for entry: July 13, 2026
Venue
The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery
301 Hill Street
Wetumpka, Al 36092
Juror of Selection
Kie Johnson, BS, MAED
Kie graduated from Skidmore College with a BS degree in Art Education. She later received her MAED from The University of Georgia. Retired from 30 years of teaching art in the public school systems, she has devoted her studio art time to the medium of transparent watercolor. She is particularly accomplished in mastering the ability to demonstrate luminosity in her watercolor painting. Her subject matter is inspired by her love of nature and her surroundings.
She exhibits her artworks in numerous State, Regional, National and International exhibitions. Kie maintains a full time art studio in Athens, Georgia and is sought after for her talent and ability to teach beginning, intermediate and advanced watercolor concepts and techniques.
Kie is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), the Georgia Watercolor Society (GWS), the South Carolina Watermedia Society (SCWS), the Southern Watercolor Society (SWS) and Watercolor West (WW). Kie is the past president of the Georgia Watercolor Society.
Kie graduated from Skidmore College with a BS degree in Art Education. She later received her MAED from The University of Georgia. Retired from 30 years of teaching art in the public school systems, she has devoted her studio art time to the medium of transparent watercolor. She is particularly accomplished in mastering the ability to demonstrate luminosity in her watercolor painting. Her subject matter is inspired by her love of nature and her surroundings.
She exhibits her artworks in numerous State, Regional, National and International exhibitions. Kie maintains a full time art studio in Athens, Georgia and is sought after for her talent and ability to teach beginning, intermediate and advanced watercolor concepts and techniques.
Kie is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), the Georgia Watercolor Society (GWS), the South Carolina Watermedia Society (SCWS), the Southern Watercolor Society (SWS) and Watercolor West (WW). Kie is the past president of the Georgia Watercolor Society.
Awards Juror, and Workshop Instructor
Rick Anderson
Internationally acclaimed award-winning artist Rick Anderson, whose career has spanned more than 5 decades. A native of Mississippi, Rick holds a Master of Arts in Education degree, taught art in K-12 public schools for twenty-five years and was an adjunct instructor on at the Community College and University levels. Rick conducts a variety of art workshops that includes all levels. Rick's work is juried into national and international art exhibitions and is represented by several fine art galleries. He is a proud member of the Mississippi Art Colony, and honored to be part of an international watercolor group, FabrianoInAcquarello, represented by artists from 88 countries. His participation began in 2020, and has traveled to Bologna, Italy the last four years attending the international conference the first week, and a second week of Plein Air painting in a variety of locations throughout Italy. This year, 2025, he began serving as the USA FabrianoInAcquarello EAST Leader.
Rick is also honored to be a Daniel Smith Watercolor Brand Ambassador, representing the finest watercolor paint manufactured in Seattle, Washington, and distributed throughout the world.
Rick’s workshops are casual and relaxed yet designed to expand everyone’s painting and collage skills through experimentation utilizing a variety of techniques that will add to your current level of creative skills. You will create multiple works that are “Spontaneous and Fluid" vs "Structured and Planned". You will create fabulous one of a kind visually strong works of art. Among these works will include very creative greeting cards with artistically matching envelopes. Group and individual positive critiques will be given throughout the workshop Rick will also demonstrate multiple painting and mixed media methods and techniques.
Internationally acclaimed award-winning artist Rick Anderson, whose career has spanned more than 5 decades. A native of Mississippi, Rick holds a Master of Arts in Education degree, taught art in K-12 public schools for twenty-five years and was an adjunct instructor on at the Community College and University levels. Rick conducts a variety of art workshops that includes all levels. Rick's work is juried into national and international art exhibitions and is represented by several fine art galleries. He is a proud member of the Mississippi Art Colony, and honored to be part of an international watercolor group, FabrianoInAcquarello, represented by artists from 88 countries. His participation began in 2020, and has traveled to Bologna, Italy the last four years attending the international conference the first week, and a second week of Plein Air painting in a variety of locations throughout Italy. This year, 2025, he began serving as the USA FabrianoInAcquarello EAST Leader.
Rick is also honored to be a Daniel Smith Watercolor Brand Ambassador, representing the finest watercolor paint manufactured in Seattle, Washington, and distributed throughout the world.
Rick’s workshops are casual and relaxed yet designed to expand everyone’s painting and collage skills through experimentation utilizing a variety of techniques that will add to your current level of creative skills. You will create multiple works that are “Spontaneous and Fluid" vs "Structured and Planned". You will create fabulous one of a kind visually strong works of art. Among these works will include very creative greeting cards with artistically matching envelopes. Group and individual positive critiques will be given throughout the workshop Rick will also demonstrate multiple painting and mixed media methods and techniques.
Scheduled Workshop Dates
Aug. 20–22, 9:30am–4pm
Members price - $380
Non-Members - $425.
Balance due Aug. 13 to be paid Online only.
Cancellations/Refunds by WSA Board approval.
Awards
The Awards Judge will make the awards selection from the actual paintings displayed in the exhibition. Monetary awards for top three awards; three merit awards and seven certificates of recognition will be granted. Only one award per selected artist will be granted. All artists exhibiting in the show will receive one-half point toward Signature membership or advanced levels of membership.
How to enter
Follow all instructions carefully. Print and retain this prospectus for future reference. Begin by preparing the digital images. Keep in mind that these images are what the Juror views for acceptance into the exhibition. For more information on the entry process, please see the Entry Guide.
- All entries must be submitted online. NO email/postal mail entries accepted. Successful completion of your online entry will be acknowledged with an automated notification of your entry data from the website.
- If you have a problem submitting your entry online, contact Allyson Watwood at [email protected]
Artwork Images
- Artists must submit digital JPEG files.
- One image per artwork may be submitted (up to 2 artworks per artist).
- It should be correctly oriented. (See How to Photograph Art and How to Prepare Images and other tips at Resources/Tips on watercolorsocietyofal.org)
- Prepare your digital images before filling out the 2026 Exhibition Entry Form. Save these files on your computer where you can locate the image(s) to upload when completing the Entry Form online.
- Color must be accurate for web and catalogue publication.
- Images must be cropped to exclude frames, mats & background and must be correctly oriented (vertical or horizontal).
- Changes/substitutions to entries can be made by you at your account of ShowSubmit up until the deadline. No changes after the deadline.
For more information, please see the Image and Filename Specifications section below.
Entry Fee
- $40 for up to 2 entries per artist.
- Nonmembers can enter by becoming members, paying the entry fee plus yearly dues of $40.00. All fees can be paid through ShowSubmit at the time of submitting your Online Entry form.
- If you have not paid your current membership dues, or if you would like to join as a new member, select Enter as New Member under the Membership heading in your entry.
- Payment may be made by credit card. Cards that are accepted - Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JBC, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Link. ShowSubmit does NOT ACCEPT PayPal.
Paying by check
You can set up your account in ShowSubmit and enter your images and information, then pay by check. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION-You will need to contact the WSA show Director. Your entry will not be marked complete until WSA has received your payment and notified ShowSubmit. This must happen BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
You can set up your account in ShowSubmit and enter your images and information, then pay by check. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION-You will need to contact the WSA show Director. Your entry will not be marked complete until WSA has received your payment and notified ShowSubmit. This must happen BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
Artist Eligibility
Exhibition is open to ALL WSA MEMBERS, who are at least 18 years of age and whose dues are current.
See the Membership section below for more information.
See the Membership section below for more information.
Artwork Eligibility Specifications (read carefully)
- Eligible paintings are limited to water-soluble media applied in an aqueous, watercolor manner. For more information on the term “aqueous, watercolor manner” see FAQ at watercolorsocietyofal.org/faqs
- Entries must be original, painted after January 1, 2023, and not previously juried into any WSA exhibition.
Allowed:
- Only original composition and artwork by the artist is accepted. See FAQ: How does WSA define the original art requirement for entries at watercolorsocietyofal.org/faqs
- Watercolor, casein, gouache, egg tempera, metallic, ink, watercolor pencil, and watercolor crayon.
- Watercolor paper, watercolor or illustration board, watercolor canvas (without added medium) and clay board (example, Aqua board), Yupo or other synthetic paper.
- Collage items: original work by the artist on one or a combination of watercolor paper, white rice paper without inclusions, white tissue paper, Yupo or other synthetic papers.
Not Allowed:
- Textured medium, textured applications (e.g., with pallet knife, applied textured papers).
- Raised paint. Raised paint when applying any of the allowed media indicates the application is not aqueous enough.
- Diptychs or triptychs unless in a common frame.
- Pastels.
- Alcohol inks
- Class or workshop paintings, copies, computer generated art, digital images, prints or reproductions.
- Copies or likeness of another’s work (i.e., painting, drawing, photograph, digital image or prints).
- Original artwork derived from any published source or other artist’s work.
- Varnished or waxed paintings.
- Canvas Supports, except Watercolor Canvas.
Presentation of Framed Art
Allowed:
- Minimum image size: 140 square inches (multiply height x width, e.g., 10” x 14”).
- Maximum frame size: 48” in any direction.
- Maximum frame width: 3 inches.
- Wood frame: simple wood tones or painted gold, silver, white or black without ornamentation. See FAQ at watercolorsocietyofal.org/faqs for examples.
- Metal frame: gold, silver or black (without decorative corners).
- Light enough to be handled by one person.
- Plexiglas plastic glazing only.
- Wire must have taped ends or plastic coating, ready to hang and support the strength of the painting.
- Mats required or image floated with a mat- (inner and outer) must be white.
- Wood Liners/Filets, if used, must be wood tone, white, gold, or silver.
Not Allowed:
- Glass.
- Non-glare glazing.
- Frayed wire ends.
- Colored mats/liners including beige and yellow tints.
- Saw tooth hangers.
- Smudged, dirty mats.
- Painted colored frames.
Membership
All entrants must be current 2026 members of the Watercolor Society of Alabama. Nonmembers may join WSA and enter the competition. There are a few methods to join or renew membership:
- You may join or renew membership at any time online using PayPal: Join WSA. You will only be paying the membership fee.
- You can join/or renew when filling out the Exhibition Entry Form – select Enter as New Member under the Membership heading in your entry.
Please note: payment by PayPal will not be accepted through ShowSubmit, only credit cards, and those listed for ShowSubmit. - If you wish to join WSA by mail, the membership form may be downloaded, printed and filled out: Member Application Form
Make check payable to WSA in the amount of $45 and mail with completed form to Membership Chair.
Please contact the Membership Director Heike Covell at [email protected] for the mailing address.
Former Members
If you have not yet renewed your dues for 2026, your membership expired on Jan 1, 2026. If you are not listed in the website directory by your last name located below the Membership tab in the drop-down menu on the WSA website, you are not currently a member, and you need to pay your dues for 2026 either by check or by PayPal.
Please make checks in the amount of $45, payable to WSA. Mail to Heike Covell, Membership Chair at [email protected] for the mailing address. You may also pay by PayPal.
When completing the online Entry Form choose “Enter as New Member” You will then be added back to the database as a member.
Note: If paying by mail, all membership checks must be received by the Membership Chair prior to your entry being added to the exhibition
Please make checks in the amount of $45, payable to WSA. Mail to Heike Covell, Membership Chair at [email protected] for the mailing address. You may also pay by PayPal.
When completing the online Entry Form choose “Enter as New Member” You will then be added back to the database as a member.
Note: If paying by mail, all membership checks must be received by the Membership Chair prior to your entry being added to the exhibition
Membership Benefits
- Receipt of Newsletters
- Discount on Workshop Fee
- Copy of National Exhibition Catalogue
- Option to be in Members Gallery of Website
- Earn points toward Signature Membership. For info about Signature Member status, visit the Website at www.watercolorsocietyofal.org. (Dues must be paid annually to retain attained status.)
Sales
Paintings may be priced for sale or not for sale (NFS). Changes in painting name, price or NFS status are not permitted following acceptance. 25 % of sale price goes to The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery.
Delivered Works
DEADLINE – July 30-Aug 1 (shipped works)
To be received at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, al.
Aug 1 (10-1pm) for Hand Carried Art .
- Artwork will be reviewed at the venue by the WSA Screening Committee to assure adherence to the Prospectus. The committee has authority to remove a painting from its frame if necessary to verify compliance with competition requirements.
- Works that do not comply with the prospectus will be returned at artist’s expense. The Screening Committee’s decisions are final.
- Entrants failing to deliver selected works may be denied entry to future exhibitions for up to two years.
- No painting may be substituted, and none may be removed before the end of the show.
- WSA reserves the right to refuse any painting that does not match the submitted entry, the prospectus, or framing criteria.
Delivery and Return Shipment
All artists whose work is selected for exhibition will receive instructions for shipping and delivery in the Acceptance Letter emailed to them. The Accepted Artist List will also be posted on the WSA Website.
A $35 HANDLING FEE will be charged for all non-AIRFLOAT box shipped paintings. Make check payable to WSA in the amount of $35, place it in an envelope and attach it to the wire on the back of the painting along with the return shipping label.
No Handling Fee AIRFLOAT, Masterpack,Titanstrong boxes are recommended . (AirFloat offers 10%off for WSA members) OR similar reusable boxes such as Uline sells. It is for the safety of your paintings and ease of boxing and unboxing required by WSA volunteers.
Absolutely no styrofoam peanuts allowed-your painting will be returned unopened.
A $35 HANDLING FEE will be charged for all non-AIRFLOAT box shipped paintings. Make check payable to WSA in the amount of $35, place it in an envelope and attach it to the wire on the back of the painting along with the return shipping label.
No Handling Fee AIRFLOAT, Masterpack,Titanstrong boxes are recommended . (AirFloat offers 10%off for WSA members) OR similar reusable boxes such as Uline sells. It is for the safety of your paintings and ease of boxing and unboxing required by WSA volunteers.
Absolutely no styrofoam peanuts allowed-your painting will be returned unopened.
Liability
WSA and The Kelly will take every precaution against damage or theft but will not be responsible for damage or loss whatever the cause. Artists should carry their own insurance.
Agreement
Submission of this (these) image(s) of the painting(s), if accepted by the Juror of Selection, shall constitute an Agreement on the part of the artist to comply with the conditions set forth in this Prospectus, including the following:
- I hereby release and discharge the officers of the Watercolor Society of Alabama (WSA) its representatives, and the Exhibition Venue from all claims occasioned by damage or loss of said image or painting while in the possession of WSA/Exhibition Venue.
- No work accepted may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition.
- Permission to reproduce the painting for educational or publicity purposes is granted.
- I realize if my work is selected and I withdraw, or it does not meet eligibility requirements set forth in the prospectus including that it has not been exhibited in another WSA show, I will be disqualified immediately. Awards or certificates and the 2026 signature status points will be rescinded, and I will not be allowed to enter WSA exhibitions for up to two years.
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on July 17, 2026.
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.
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 13, 2026.)
- 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
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact Allyson Watwood ([email protected]) or Walt Costilow ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, WSA, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.
Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.