Simply Watercolor 2026

Opportunity Overview

Simply Watercolor is a national juried exhibition presented by the Rhode Island Watercolor Society celebrating watercolor paintings. The show offers $1,000 in cash prizes and accepts 1-3 watercolor entries per artist.

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: October 16, 2026
• Drop-off/delivery: October 22 – November 12 (Thursday & Friday 10am–4pm, Saturday 10am–3pm)
• Accepted entries notified: October 22
• Exhibition dates: November 14 – December 11, 2026
• Opening reception: Saturday, November 21 at 1pm
• Pickup date: December 11
• Return shipping: December 11 – January 11

Eligibility

Open to all artists in the United States. Work must have been completed within the last 10 years, be original paintings from the artist's own reference material, and not have been exhibited in a previous Rhode Island Watercolor Society juried show. Work may not be copied from copyrighted material, painted by another artist, created in a class/workshop, or based on others' photos or artwork.

Media & Surfaces

• Acceptable mediums: Watercolor, gouache, watercolor mediums, plus up to 20% water-based ink, watercolor pencils, or water-based iridescent paints/powders (not glitter)
• Acceptable surfaces: Watercolor paper, toned watercolor paper, Yupo and synthetic papers, water-based varnish and gesso papers, canvas paper, textured paper, illustration board, watercolor board, rice paper
• Unacceptable: Acrylics, casein, egg tempera, pastels, colored pencils, fabrics, digital media, prints, sand, glitter, gold/metal leaf, collage, oil paints, photography, reproductions, 3D media

Size & Framing

Work must be 5–48 inches (smallest to longest dimension including frame). Frames must not exceed 1.5 inches in width; work larger than 36" must use Plexiglass. All work MUST be framed under glass or Plexiglass, professionally presented with no broken or damaged frames. Wiring required with no wire or hanger visible.

Submission & Fees

• Non-members: $25 per entry
• Members: $20 per entry (use code riwsmember at checkout)
• Submit 1–3 works maximum
• Include one entry per submission form; use separate checkout for additional entries
• Checks made out to Rhode Island Watercolor Society

How to Enter

Entries must be delivered in person or shipped to the society's gallery. Digital images must accurately represent the work and match the final submitted piece—no altered images allowed. Prices may be indicated at submission; mark as NFS by entering 0 in the price field.

Shipping

• Ship to: Rhode Island Watercolor Society, 831 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, RI 02861
• Include a pre-paid return label in the box
• Send tracking number to [email protected] with subject line "Simply Watercolor Tracking"

General Terms

Work must be the same work submitted as digital images and match the dimensions stated in the submission form. No work may be withdrawn after acceptance. The society reserves the right to exclude work arriving in poor condition or deemed too fragile for exhibition. Work not suitably prepared will be hung at the society's discretion.