IWS 2025 Annual Juried Exhibition

Description

45th Idaho Watercolor Society Annual Juried

Membership Exhibition 

Monday, May 5, 2025 through Sunday June 29, 2025

PROSPECTUS

SHOW JUROR AND WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR

IWS hosts an annual statewide exhibition which is juried by a nationally renowned artist. This artist also teaches a painting workshop. In 2025 the juror and workshop instructor will be the highly acclaimed artist, Kathleen Giles.

ELIGIBILITY

Every entrant must be an active member of Idaho Watercolor Society.  Annual dues of $45 must be paid before entering the show. It is preferred that dues be paid on the IWS Website:   https://www.idahowatercolorsociety.org.  You may also send a check payable to IWS to PO Box 9093, Boise ID, 83707-9093.

NOTICE:  The PO Box is checked weekly.  If you intend to mail your dues, please mail early.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Acceptance into the IWS Annual Juried Exhibition requires mandatory participation in the traveling show, if selected for an award. Artists are responsible for insuring their own entries.  Any painting sold during the traveling show must remain with the show until the traveling show completed.

We are exhibiting In the North in Lewiston for two months, November and December.  If you are considering entering WFWS for 2026 be advised:  Do not plan to enter the same painting, as your painting will NOT return from the traveling show in time to participate in the WFWS exhibition.

PAINTING SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

Entries must be water-media based. Water media includes watercolor, acrylic, non-alcohol ink, gouache, casein, egg tempera, and watercolor pencil. Oils, water-soluble oils, or computer-generated images will not be accepted.

In addition to natural or synthetic paper, Masonite, watercolor canvas, and illustration board will be accepted in 2025.

All entries must have been painted within the last two years and must be entirely the work of the entrant, not copied from another artist. Images painted from published sources or completed under instruction in a class or workshop are not acceptable. All work must be suitable for family viewing. If any painting is found to be in violation of these standards, if any of the stated specifications are not met, or if the work differs from the original digital representation, it will not be exhibited, and all awards will be forfeited. In addition, the artist will not be allowed to enter an IWS Exhibition for two years. The exhibition committee and the juror will be responsible for enforcing all rules and regulations. Once accepted into the IWS juried show, the same image and composition, or substantially similar image, cannot be entered again in another IWS exhibition.

FRAMING SPECIFICATIONS

All paintings must be framed. Mats are not required, but if matted, must be white only. A darker liner of up to 1/2 inch is acceptable. Floated paintings are acceptable.

Paintings may be varnished, and if varnished do not require plexiglass or acrylic. If not varnished, plexiglass or acrylic must be used rather than glass for protection, and a strong foam-core backing must be used. Outside dimensions of frame may not exceed 40” on any side. There is no minimum size restriction. Simple frames with clean lines are encouraged as they do not detract from your art. Paintings must be prepared for hanging with firmly attached strong wire and “D” rings. Scratched or damaged frames or mats may be disqualified.

PRICING/SALES GUIDELINES

When pricing paintings, keep in mind the following: If your painting is sold, commission fees in the various gallery venues may be up to 50%. Additionally, a 15% donation to IWS is suggested. Account for the cost for scanning, framing, and matting when determining the price you will ask for your painting.

ENTRY FEES

Each artist may enter two (2) submissions.  The fee for entering one painting in the show is $40. You may enter a second submission for an additional $10 (making the total fee $50.00), increasing your chance of acceptance. Fees will be paid by credit card on ArtCall.

Only one painting may be selected from an entering artist for the show.

PRIZES

Cash prizes totaling over $4000 will be awarded, with Roots Family History again sponsoring the coveted Juror's Choice Award in the amount of $800.  Last year, the 10 merchandise awards exceeded $1700.  Simply being accepted into the exhibition counts toward Merit status even if no award is achieved.

This year we again anticipate up to 65 accepted entrants in the exhibit, with 20 award winners.  We will be exhibiting paintings at the Riverside Hotel Water's Edge Gallery as in 2024.

We will accept for display in a separate gallery space submitted paintings which DID NOT get juried into the exhibit.  NEW:  A prize will be awarded for the best of the non-accepted paintings, so be sure to send your painting(s) whether accepted into the exhibit or not!  Only paintings submitted into ArtCall for the 2025 exhibition will be considered for display.  We are also working to invigorate the Gold and Silver Sponsored Purchase awards.

DIGITAL ENTRY SPECIFICATIONS MUST BE EXACTLY AS FOLLOWS:

• File format: Use only .jpg as the file format.

• Resolution: 300 dpi.

• Submissions must be less than 4mb and a maximum of 4800px on the longest side.

• DEADLINE FOR HELP is MARCH 13.

• If you are not sure your image file is per specifications, please seek assistance BEFORE you enter on ArtCall.org.

SUBMISSIONS WITH ArtCall

IWS will again be using an electronic entry process this year.
As needed, there will be Zoom training sessions scheduled during February.
Log into ArtCall.org as follows: IWS2025AnnualJuriedExhibition.artcall.org
If this is your first year entering on ArtCall, you can create an artist profile at any time and make changes until entry deadline. Be sure to retain your Username and Password when you set up your Artist Profile. You will need that to get back into the site during the entry process.
If you participated in the electronic entry process last year, you may use your existing Username and Password to get to your account pages on the site.
Follow instructions from the on-line Zoom Training or contact Scott Muscolo if you have questions.
Payment will be made through ArtCall via credit card
Upload a digital image of your painting from your computer. (See Digital Entry Specifications section above)

DELIVERY AND SHIPPING OF ACCEPTED PAINTINGS

Please note all dates listed under “IMPORTANT DATES”. Detailed shipping instructions will be sent via email from ArtCall if you are accepted into the show. Be sure to follow all shipping instructions accurately. Do not use Styrofoam peanuts or shredded paper for packing. A $20 fine will be assessed for use of Styrofoam peanuts or shredded paper.

IMPORTANT DATES
2025:

ArtCall Entry Open Saturday, February1

Deadline for help with entry: Thursday, March 13

ArtCall Closing Date Thursday, March 20, 9pm MST

Notification of juror’s decision: Tuesday, April 1

Arrival deadline for paintings: Tuesday, April 29

Installation: Monday, May 5

Juror, Kathleen Giles arrives: Sunday, June 1

Awards Jurying process Monday, June 2

Volunteer Luncheon: Tuesday noon, June 3 – 12:30pm

Critique/Awards Ceremony: Tuesday, June 3, 5:30 – 8:30

Workshop with Kathleen Giles Wed, June 4 – Friday, June 6

De-Installation: Monday, June 30

Ship To Twin Falls: Tuesday, July 1

CHECKLIST

Seek help if you are not sure about the specifications of entry.

_____1.  Help deadline is THURSDAY, March 13, 2025.

_____ 2. Submit entries to ArtCall between SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1st and Thursday, March 20th, 9:00 PM MST.

_____ 3. Ship paintings for arrival at Riverside Hotel by Tuesday, April 29, or deliver to the Riverside Hotel in person on that same date.