Thinking about joining the Spokane Watercolor Society (SWS)? We are a Federal 501c(3) non-profit organization currently with over 80 members from across the United States but primarily from Spokane and the surrounding area. We meet either in person and/or via zoom. Meetings begin at 10:00 am and are usually over before 12:30pm. Members have access to information resources through the "My SWS" portion of our website and through a member's only group page that is managed independently by a member of the Spokane Watercolor Society. Our website at www.spokanewatercolor.org remains our official source of information concerning Spokane Watercolor Society events. You must be at least 18 years of age to be a member of SWS.
We invite nonmembers to join us for one of our meetings so they can see what we are about. You may do this by clicking on the "Be Our Guest" button near the top of this page. We are a very welcoming group and enjoy meeting new watercolor enthusiasts.
Our ZOOM meetings and in-person meetings both include social time where we get to chat with other artists and see what they are working on. This is also a time to meet and greet new members.
A short formal meeting follows the social time. During this meeting issues significant to Shows, Workshops and Membership are discussed. This time also includes a painting challenge event. The subject of the challenge painting can be found in the "My SWS" area. All members participating in the challenge have their names entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Spokane Art Supply! Our meetings usually are followed by a demonstration/presentation by well-known artists. Some may even be from among our own membership. Members have access to past recorded presentations and demos on our private "My SWS" member pages.
SWS hosts juried shows each year. We invite an internationally renowned artist to both jury the National Spring Show and teach a workshop. In April of 2023 Iain Stewart taught the workshop and was the juror of our National Show. The guest workshop artists and juror for the National Show in 2024 is Soon Y Warren. A real highlight for our membership is being a part of a show or workshop and sharing the experience with friends and family. SWS reaches across the nation to host our national show each spring and the competition for winning in this show is especially keen - but what an honor to be in and possibly to win an award in a national show! We encourage all our membership and nonmembers as well to participate with their finest works.
We work hard to keep our membership fees among the lowest you will find. The new member one time registration fee is $25.00 plus the recurring annual renewal fee of $40.00 for a total of $65 for the first year. Click on the tab at the top of this page { "To become an SWS Member Apply Here"} to complete your registration and join us. (Annual online payments are slightly more ($2 more) to cover an added banking administrative fee.) At the board's discretion a late fee will be added after 31 December.
Signature Membership is a way of recognizing gifted artists who have been with SWS for an extended period and shown exceptional skills that propelled their art into our national level shows. The SWS bylaws lay out the governing principles for this recognition. These rules provide a pathway to Signature Membership - if that is part of your goal in belonging to our organization. You can find more information here. Being a signature member is no easy task but for those who become signature members it is well-deserved, high-recognition by some of the best artists in our nation.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about specific programs we offer or becoming a member. Oral Carper ([email protected]) SWS President Our current Membership Chairperson is Kim Gardell. EMAIL: [email protected]