Our Mission
We promote watercolor and water media as an important and recognized medium in the arts community and provides support as well as educational opportunities to watercolor artists - whether beginners or professionals.
We offer a variety of educational opportunities including eight (8) monthly meetings with demonstrations and lectures by renowned national or prominent local artists. In the Fall and Spring, we host three-day water media workshops with nationally recognized artists.
We recognize and encourage artistic excellence through juried exhibitions in the Fall and Spring.
Click to - Read more about JWS, Board and Committees, and History
Access Calendar of Events for list of all upcoming events and meetings.
Next General Meeting
Tuesday, November 26, 2024,
6pm to 8pm
Guest Artist: Mary O Smith
Watercolor Techniques for Plein Air - Demo
Cypress Village, Egret Room
Most of Mary O.'s watercolor paintings are done on location or en plein-air. Developing a love of painting en plein-air from the very beginning of her career in watercolor as well as oil, she is always striving to develop and grow as an artist. She teaches workshops in both mediums. Each painting is a new challenge. The mix of each color and value to recreate a scene from life is the challenge. Conveying a moment of space and light with color and shape intrigues her with every painting. Mary O. engages the viewer with her suggestive and loose brush strokes and use of color and composition.
Her work has been represented in galleries in the Southeast. She is a member of Plein Air Painters of the Southeast, Signature member of the Southern Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, the Tallahassee Watercolor Society and a board member of Pines and Palms, Thomasville, Ga. Her most recent achievement is winning Best in Show at the Shadow on the Teche juried Plein Air Event in 2023.
Come early at 5:30 to socialize with fellow artists. Refreshments will be served.
Please note: Our general monthly meetings are now at Cypress Village, 4600 Middleton Park Cir E, Jacksonville, FL 32224 in the Egret Room.
To see more about monthly meetings, locations and upcoming schedule, click here.
Enter the New Jacksonville Watercolor Society Promotion Contest
The Jacksonville Watercolor Society (JWS) is sponsoring a contest for club members to encourage new people to join. The winning design(s) may be displayed in print materials, at or/in libraries, art stores, or locations that would give the public more information about JWS.
Submissions may be horizontal or vertical, measuring approximately 12” x 14″. Two (2) entries per member are permitted. The design should encourage anyone to join regardless of skill level or experience. Club information and text will be added to the art once a design(s) is chosen. Entries must be submitted to Heather Hill on or before the next meeting, November 26, 2024. Reach out to Heather Hill, Co-VP Membership, at 614-562-3343 with questions. Click button below for "The 2024 Promotion Contest Rules and Entry Form".
Shows
2024 Fall Juried Show
The 2024 JWS Fall Juried Show is at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra from October 18 to December 2.
Key dates to remember:
* Take-down/pick-up December 2, 10 am to 12 pm.
Click here to see this show and other shows including programs and winners from past shows in the gallery.
The 2024 Student show winners are also on display and can be viewed on the student shows gallery page.
General Meeting
Tuesday, January 27, 2025,
6pm to 8pm
Guest Artist: Nancy Melia Banks
Watercolor Techniques for Painting Beach Scenes - Demo
Cypress Village, Egret Room
Nancy Banks will show you how to render clarity and feeling in the water, sky and beach, in her demonstration “Painting Beach Scenes”.
Banks’ watercolor paintings have been accepted in numerous juried shows including Tallahassee, Panama City, and Jacksonville Watercolor Societies. Her paintings have been hung at many prestigious locations including the Cummer Museum of Art, the Jacksonville Art Museum, and the rotunda of the Florida State Capitol building, and have received recognition from Merit and Judges Award to Best of Show.
Check out her website at: nancemeliabanks.com
Come early at 5:30 to socialize with fellow artists. Refreshments will be served.
Please note: Our general monthly meetings are now at Cypress Village, 4600 Middleton Park Cir E, Jacksonville, FL 32224 in the Egret Room.
To see more about monthly meetings, locations and upcoming schedule, click here.
2025 Spring Juried Show
The 2025 JWS Spring Juried Show at St Augustine Art Association from February 7 to March 1.
Key dates to remember:
* Opening reception and awards-Fri, Feb 7, 7:00 pm.
* Online entries , Jan 24 to Jan 30, 2025.
* Jurying and judging by Mary O. Smith, Tues, Feb 4
* Delivery/Take-in of framed and matted paintings, Tues, Feb 4, 11 am to 12 pm.
* Take-down/pick-up Sun, March 2, 12 pm to 2 pm.
Click here to see more about this show and other shows including winners from past shows in the gallery.
Publications & Events
Fall 2 Day Workshop
February 5 -6, 2025
Mary O Smith
More Information About the Workshop Will Be Announced
Newsletter
Read the latest newsletter by clicking on the image of the cover to the right.
Click to
See more about our communications for members, the latest trifold and calendar of events, past newsletters, and links to websites of interest to members.
Artist of the Year - 2024
Barbara Holt is the 2024 recipient of the Jacksonville Watercolor Society Artist of the Year. She has served as VP of Shows for JWS for 8 years and has introduced a student show to the Pine Forest Elementary School for the Arts. She volunteers at Westminster Wood Retirement Community as an outreach program for JWS teaching watercolor to the residents. Barbra is a well-trained, accomplished award-winning artist. To see some of her works and learn more about this remarkable person go to:
Click to See more about Barbra Holt, AOTY award, guidelines for nomination, and previous recipients.
Donations
JWS recently received a generous donation in the name of a long term member who passed away. Over years, we have received other donations as well as art materials and supplies that honor past and current members. We appreciate the generous support of JWS and its mission. To help with future donations, we have provided instructions and contacts on our membership page. Please go to the bottom of the membership page for more information on donations.