About JWS

1982 to 2012 - 30 Years!

The Jacksonville Watercolor Society was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1982 to promote watercolor/water media as an important and recognized medium in the arts community, and to provide support as well as educational opportunities to watercolor artists - whether beginners or professionals.

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of educational opportunities including eight (8) monthly meetings each with demonstrations and lectures by renowned national or prominent local artists - providing support and arts education for the beginner to the professional. And in the Fall and Spring, we host three-day water media workshops with nationally recognized artists, such as Marilyn Hughey Phillis, Sue Archer, David Dewey, collage artist Sherry O’Neill, Fran Larsen, Mary Ann Beckwith, Janet Rogers, John Salminen, David Daniels, George James, Cheng-Khee Chee,Ted Nuttall, Anne Kittel and Pat Weaver to name a few.

Membership also includes the opportunity to participate in two annual Juried Awards Exhibitions. We recognize and encourage artistic excellence through juried exhibitions in the Fall and Spring, by elevating our individual concepts of perfection in watermedia and by increasing the visibility and status of watercolor as an important artistic medium. (work must be delivered to JWS we do not ship nor receive artwork via mail)

We strongly encourage volunteerism as well as participation on the board and committees and recognize outstanding service to JWS and artistic talent through the JWS Artist of the Year award and show -- a lifetime achievement award.

In 2012, we celebrate 30 years of active participation in the Jacksonville arts community. Our members have grown over the years both in numbers and in artistic excellence which is recognized by awards throughout the country.