By Northwest Watercolor Society | Press Release
The Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) 80th International Open Exhibition is online only this year from October 27, 2020 through January 1, 2021 at www.nwws.org. Juror/instructor Ron Stocke felt he had his work cut out for him to narrow the 674 entries from 38 states and 12 countries down to the 75 paintings in the exhibition.
“I’m excited to be involved in this year’s International Open Exhibition,” Stocke said. He is an award-winning and internationally known watercolor artist himself as well as a signature member in NWWS, the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society plus an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. “This exhibition has some fantastic work,” he added.
NWWS President Molly Murrah believes the main reason for so many entries this year is that the exhibition accepted a wide range of substrates for watermedia paintings on any appropriate, archival, two-dimensional surface, natural or synthetic. “Last year we opened the exhibition to expanded framing option for paintings. This year with Covid-19 and having an online only show only, NWWS drew more artists to participate because paintings didn’t have to be framed and shipped to hang,” Murrah noted. “As a result, truly exceptional artwork is on display.”
“Other incentives we had were that the minimum painting size was set at seven inches and artists receive 75% of the sales price,” added exhibition co-chair Cindy Baij. “This is also the first year we’ve had the Open in the fall.”
NWWS’s virtual artist reception and awards is set for October 30 at 6pm PDT. Ron will present a video of why he selected the first 60 paintings; then he will reveal the 15 award winners ending with the first place winner who will receive $2,000 cash. Over $10,000 in cash and merchandise will be awarded. Bring your own libation and toast the winners.
For a full list of the accepted artists go to https://bit.ly/3jlQTag.
