44th Annual WSI Juried Exhibit (Friday, September 04, 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The 44th Annual WSI Juried Exhibit at Newfields/ Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208
September 4 to October 31, 2026

Entry opens soon. DEADLINE TO ENTER IS JUNE 19TH!

June 19, Friday Deadline is Midnight for online entries through the WSI website. Deadline is 5:00 pm. for entries with flash drives at the WSI Office.

This year's juror is Kathleen Giles, Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Transparent Watercolor Society of America. The images of each entry are sent digitally to the juror. She will choose 45 paintings to display in the exhibit. In July when she is in Indy, she will choose her top 10 picks for awards. WSI's goal is to meet last year's total prize money of $10,000. *As an added bonus, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is giving each of the 45 juried exhibitors a free 1-year membership to the museum.

Please be sure to read the entire Prospectus Rules for Entry as it is updated every year. Download Here: Each member may submit up to 2 paintings. Entry Fee $35 for one entry. $45 for two entries. Please use the online entry form for the fastest and most efficient method. If using an iPhone to photograph, turn off the live feature as it will not upload to the website

ENTRY FEE: One Entry $35; Two Entries $45.

AGREEMENT: All entries are to be submitted with the understanding that accepted work may be photographed or videotaped for educational and/or publicity purposes. All accepted images will be included on the WSI website and social media.

TO ENTER AND PAY: Please use the online entry form for the fastest and most efficient registration. Upload images when registering online. If you prefer to mail your entry, use the forms from the prospectus with payment and a labeled USB Flash Drive (USB drive will not be returned to you). *PLEASE NOTE THE 2027 WSI JURIED EXHIBIT WILL USE “SHOW SUBMIT” INSTEAD OF THE WSI WEBSITE. INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE IN THE 2027 PROSPECTUS.

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Digital file must be in JPG format. The image resolution must be at least 300 dpi.

• No digital enhancement is allowed.

• The image must be oriented correctly. (Vertical or Horizontal)

• Crop the image to exclude the mat and frame.

• If using an iPhone to photograph, turn off the live feature as it will not upload to the website.

• Name your image with your name, entry (“A” or “B”), 2026 and the title. Example: Smith_John_A_2026_Flower.jpg.

• If you are having trouble uploading an image, contact Website Chairperson Brenda Pettigrew. Contact info is in the online Member Directory and on the Board of Directors page.

RULES (Please read carefully as some changes may have been made this year.)

The Juried Show competition is open to current and former residents of the State of Indiana. You must be a current member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana.
Artists may submit one or two paintings. If an artist enters two paintings, only one painting can be selected by the juror for the exhibition.
No triptychs or diptychs will be accepted.
All entries must be the original concept and execution of the artist. No copies of paintings or published photographs, or unauthorized photographs will be accepted.
No work produced in a class or under the tutelage of an instructor will be accepted.
No work previously exhibited in ANY JURIED SHOW in Indiana will be accepted. This includes competitions such as the Indiana State Fair, SALI, IAC, IHA, or Hoosier Salon.
A minimum of 80% of the painting must have been executed with traditional watercolor paints. Other media, listed below, may be used only to enhance, or embellish the watercolor and cannot exceed 20% of the painting. Collage is acceptable but all elements must be painted by the artist in 80% traditional watercolor paints – no preprinted or computer-generated images. Other media allowed up to 20% of the painting: Gouache, Graphite (pencil or charcoal), Acrylic Paint (thinned and painted using traditional watercolor techniques), Colored Ink, Watercolor Pencil (wetted), Brusho, Media other than those listed are not permitted to be a part of the painting.
The painting must be executed on a 2-dimensional surface composed of paper with no impasto effects. Yupo paper is acceptable.
No printed image may be a part of the painting.
No digital artwork or photography will be permitted.
The size limitation is 42” x 36” in any direction, including the frame. No exceptions per Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields’ rules.
The WSI Juried Exhibit is a prestigious show in a nationally recognized museum. The matting and framing must have a professional appearance and be free from damage or blemishes. Ensure the painting is clean, meets hanger requirements, and is of stable condition. If in WSI’s judgement the appearance does not reflect favorably on the organization or this event, the artist will have the option to correct this in time for the opening of the show. Otherwise, the artwork will not be hung, and the painting will be withdrawn from the exhibit. If you have questions, please contact Juried Exhibit Chairperson prior to delivery. Contact info is in the online Member Directory and on the Board of Directors page.
All work must be matted and framed under acrylic sheet (plexiglass) or similar glazing. No Glass will be allowed. A simple gallery-quality frame with a white or neutral mat is strongly recommended. We recommend that the mat be at least 3 inches wide (4 inches wide on larger paintings).
Strap hangers are required, and the hanging wire is optional. Sawtooth hangers will not be accepted. The frame must have a strap hanger attached with screws on the back side of each vertical piece of the frame located between 1/3 and 1/4 of the length of the piece from the top of the frame. (See Illustration attached.) If a painting is delivered with incorrect hardware the artist will have the option to correct this in time for the opening. The artist may pay WSI to correct the hardware for them ($25 fee). Otherwise, the artwork will not be hung and the painting will be withdrawn from the exhibit.
Titles and prices will be listed as they appear on the entry forms. No changes will be made after entry forms are received.
No further work can be done on a painting once it is accepted. The painting will not be accepted if it is different from the original image submitted.
Each accepted painting must have a completed WSI Juried Exhibit 2026 Painting Tag (see prospectus) attached to the back of the painting when it is delivered.
If your painting sells during the exhibit, the buyer is responsible to pick it up and the artist is not responsible. Otherwise, if someone other than you or your area representative will be picking up your painting at the end of the show, you must email the WSI Executive Director with the name of the designated individual. ID may be required upon painting pickup. Note that there will be a $45 charge for any painting not picked up by 3:00 pm November 1, 2026. Paintings may be claimed at the WSI office when the $45 fee is paid. Unclaimed paintings become the property of WSI 60 Days after the pickup date of the exhibit.

AWARDS: WSI will award as many cash awards as the 2026 Awards Fund will support. Our goal is to meet or exceed last year’s prize money of $10,000. All members are encouraged to support this fund by donating or soliciting donations. Contributions may be made on the WSI website. All donors are recognized in the Juried Exhibit catalog. Sponsorships are available.

SALES: All sales will be conducted through the WSI office. WSI will retain a 30% commission on each sale. The buyer has permission to pick up the painting on November 1, 2026 with ID. Paintings may be NFS. However, if this painting is sold during the exhibit, the commission must be submitted to WSI in good faith. If this painting is sold within 30 days after the exhibit because of being seen at Newfields, the artist is asked to make a donation to WSI.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: If an entrant receives $600 or more in sales and/or awards per year from WSI, the entrant agrees to provide Form W9 to the WSI office upon request and will receive a 1099 for 2026.

SHIPPING: If an accepted painting is shipped instead of delivered in person, it must be crated and delivered to the WSI office by 2:00 pm Saturday, July 11, 2026. The WSI office will return unsold paintings in the same packaging in which they were received. The artist must set up an account with FedEx or UPS so that all shipping costs are prepaid. The artist will also be charged a $60 handling and transport fee. If you have a question, please contact the WSI office at (317) 500-2275.

RISK: Watercolor Society of Indiana, Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields and transporters will exercise diligent and reasonable care, but they will not be responsible for any loss or damage. By signing the entry forms, the artist assumes all risks. If you are concerned about the risk of loss or damage, we suggest you get insurance coverage for your painting.

AREA REPRESENTATIVES: WSI Area Reps are able to help coordinate transporting paintings to Indy when possible. Contact information for each representative is available on the WSI Board of Directors Page.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES: Each sponsorship allows WSI to continue to grow, offer artists more opportunities, award artists prize money, and fulfill its mission to educate Indiana residents about the discipline of the watercolor medium. Learn how about this opportunity to promote your business while supporting these artists. Exhibit Sponsorships Thank you!

June 19, Friday at 5:00 pm: Deadline for receipt of mailed entries with flash drives at the WSI Office. Midnight for online entries through the WSI website.

June 27, Saturday: Images of all entries will be exhibited in a video at the Membership Luncheon, 12:00 noon at Second Presbyterian Church. Tickets are required for the luncheon and are available through the WSI Website.

June 29, Monday: Acceptance Notifications and Non-acceptance Notifications emailed to entrants.

July 7 – July 11: Selected paintings must be delivered to WSI office between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

July 14 - 17, 2026 Juror Kathleen Giles will judge the top award winners in person.

September 6, Sunday: Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony at Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, DeBoest Lecture Hall beginning at 2:00 pm. All WSI members are encouraged to attend and bring guests. Free and open to the public.

September 4 – October 31: Exhibition open to the public at Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.

November 1, Sunday: Pick up paintings at Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. No paintings will be released before 1:00 pm on November 1st.

Watercolor Society of Indiana upcoming events

44th Annual WSI Juried Exhibit (Friday, September 04, 2026)

ENTRY FEE: One Entry $35; Two Entries $45.

AGREEMENT: All entries are to be submitted with the understanding that accepted work may be photographed or videotaped for educational and/or publicity purposes. All accepted images will be included on the WSI website and social media.

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: If an entrant receives $600 or more in sales and/or awards per year from WSI, the entrant agrees to provide Form W9 to the WSI office upon request and will receive a 1099 for 2026.