WSNC 2026 Annual Juried Exhibition

Description

Download & Print the Prospectus

Exhibition Overview

The WSNC Annual Juried Exhibition is our premier statewide event, celebrating excellence in watercolor. Open to all current 2026 WSNC members working in water media, this exhibition showcases the exceptional talent of artists across North Carolina. Membership dues must be current at the time of entry.

The juror of selection and awards for the 2026 exhibition is internationally recognized watercolorist Michael Solovyev.

The 2026 exhibition will be hosted by the Griffith Fine Arts Museum at Red Oak Brewery in Whitsett, NC, and will be on view from October 4 through November 13.

The WSNC Annual Conference and Meeting will take place Saturday, October 3 through the morning of Sunday, October 4 at Congdon Yards in High Point, NC. The conference includes artist demonstrations — featuring a live demo by Michael Solovyev — as well as instructional sessions, painting critiques, and opportunities to connect with fellow members from across the state.

The Awards Ceremony and Member Opening Reception will be held on the afternoon of October 4 at the Griffith Fine Arts Museum.

Following the exhibition opening, Michael Solovyev will lead a three-day workshop, October 5–7, at Congdon Yards.

Location

Venue: Griffith Fine Art Museum at The Red Oak Brewery

Address: Red Oak Lager Haus & Biergarten | 6905 Konica Dr, Whitsett, NC 27377

The exhibition venue is open and accessible to the public during regular operating hours:

Thursday and Friday, 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Saturday 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Important 2026 Dates

Date

Event

May 15

ArtCall.org entries open

July 13

Entry deadline

August 10

Jury results emailed

Sept 21–25

Shipped paintings due at Griffith

Sept 25–26

Hand-delivered paintings (Fri 11–4, Sat 10–2)

Oct 2

WSNC Board Meeting

Oct 3-4

WSNC Annual Conference - Congdon YardsExhibition Opens October 4 at Griffith Museum.

Oct 5 - 7

Juror Workshop with Michael Solovyev (at Congdon Yards, High Point, NC)

Oct 8

Public Reception (5–7 p.m.)

Nov 13

Exhibition closes

Nov 16

Pickup & return shipping of paintings

Eligibility

The WSNC Annual Exhibition is open to all current WSNC members. Membership dues must be current at the time of entry. Members who have relocated out of state remain eligible if they are current members of WSNC.

Artwork must:

Be the original creation of the artist
Not be completed under instruction, whether in person or online
Not be copied from, derived from, or substantially based on another artist’s or photographer’s work
Not include AI-generated or digitally produced imagery
Have been completed within the past three years (after January 1, 2023)

Works previously exhibited in a WSNC Annual Juried Exhibition are not eligible.

Acceptable Media

Water-soluble media including watercolor, gouache, water-based ink, casein, acrylic, egg tempera, and watercolor pencil, stick, or crayon. Other media may be used only in conjunction with water media, which must be visibly dominant in the finished work.

Not permitted: collage, pastel, water-based oils, canvas, prints, reproductions, digital artwork, heavy impasto, texture gels, or excessive relief.

Acceptable Surfaces

Natural or synthetic watercolor paper, watercolor board, Yupo, Aquabord, Claybord, or similar absorbent rigid supports that are framed.

Size Requirements

Maximum framed size: 44 inches in any direction
Minimum image size: 80 square inches

Framing and Presentation

All accepted paintings must be professionally framed and ready to hang according to WSNC standards. Non-conforming work may be refused at intake. Full details are provided in the WSNC 2026 Framing & Packaging Guide.

Frames

Simple, professional-quality wood or metal frames only.
Acceptable finishes: black, white, natural stained wood, or plain matte or satin gold or silver.
Not permitted: bright, glossy, mirrored, distressed, carved, or ornate finishes.
Frame width: 1–3 inches maximum.

Glazing and Matting

Works on paper must be framed under acrylic or plexiglass glazing (no glass) or be varnished or wax sealed. Frosted or matte non-glare glazing is not permitted.
Mat colors: white or off-white only. A narrow neutral inner mat (¼ inch or less) in black, gray, or beige is optional.

Hanging Hardware

Secure coated wire attached one-third from the top using D-rings or screw eyes. Sawtooth or keyhole hangers are not permitted.

Entry Procedures

Call for Entry Opens: May 15, 2026Entry Deadline: July 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST

Entries must be submitted via ArtCall.org

Non-Refundable Entry fee: $45
Maximum number of entries per artist: Two (2); only one may be accepted

Digital images must be submitted in JPEG format, under 5 MB, showing only the image (no frame or mat). Images should be at least 1,200 pixels on the longest side.

Judging and Awards

The Annual Exhibition will be juried for acceptance by juror Michael Solovyev. The juror will select 70 paintings for acceptance and invitation. Awards are judged in person after delivery and hanging. Over $6,000 in cash and merchandise awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 4.

About the Juror: Michael Solovyev

Michael Solovyev is an internationally acclaimed watercolorist known for his luminous handling of light and atmosphere. A Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and the International Watercolor Society of Canada, his work has been exhibited in over 20 countries. Solovyev is celebrated for his expressive, transparent approach and his engaging teaching style, which emphasizes storytelling through watercolor. His juror’s perspective will focus on composition, mood, and confident brushwork.

Sales

There is no commission for this exhibition; the artist retains 100% of the sale price.

All eligible entries will also be included in the online gallery on ArtCall.org. Sales will be facilitated through ArtCall.org. The artist is solely responsible for all aspects of the sale.

Signature Membership

Signature status is earned by winning a place award (1st–5th) in two WSNC statewide exhibitions since 1990, or by being accepted into three separate statewide juried exhibitions (since July 2002). Continuous paid membership is required to retain Signature status.

Liability

While every reasonable care will be taken, WSNC and the hosting venue assume no responsibility for loss or damage. Artists are encouraged to carry their own insurance.

Exhibition Contacts

Exhibition Director: Bill Schaefer
Questions may be directed to: exhibitions@ncwatercolor.org

About WSNC

The Watercolor Society of North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in watercolor through education, exhibitions, and community engagement across the state.

Artist Agreement

Artists acknowledge that their work will be displayed publicly online and that submitted images may be used by WSNC for promotional purposes. Artists affirm that all submitted work is original. By entering this exhibition, the artist agrees to all terms stated in this Prospectus and the WSNC Framing & Packaging Guide.