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
Upcoming Events in 2026
Mar 23 - Mar 31, 2026 JWS Members’
Non-Juried Show Riverside - Online Entries
Apr 6 - May 29, 2026 JWS Members’
Non-Juried Show Riverside
Apr 28, 2026 General Meeting - Barbara Holt, Artist of the Year 2024
May 26, 2026 End of Year Social
June 20, 2026 1-Day Workshop - Chris Flagg "Drawing for Watercolor"
July 21, 2026 1-Day Workshop - LuAnn Dunkinson "Watercolor Basics"
JWS General Meeting
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026, 6-8 pm
Guest Artist: Barbara Holt
“The Joy of Workshopping"
Cypress Village, Egret Room
Come early at 5:30 to socialize with fellow artists and enjoy the refreshments generously provided by Cypress Village. More information is coming soon.
Shows & Workshops
Click here to edit your subtitle
2026 JWS Members’
Non-Juried Show Riverside
The JWS Non-juried Members' Show Riverside will be Apr 6 - May 29, 2026 at the Grace Gallery (2nd floor of the McCord Building) of the Riverside Park United Methodist Church, 819 Park Street, Jacksonville, 32204. This is an opportunity for members to show and sell your artwork. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned award-winning artist, please share your artwork! Important dates:
* Online entry between March 23 to March 31.
* Take-in/delivery - April 6
For more information and to enter go to:
Exhibitions page and scroll down to Section 3. Scheduled Non-Juried Shows
2026 Student Show
JWS is proud to sponsor the fourth annual on-line show for the students of Pine Forest Elementary School of the Arts. The show will be juried, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention awards will be presented at the end of the school year. Students can participate through the school’s art program. Click this link to go to the Entry Form, Show Information and Gallery of Past Shows.
One-Day Workshop
"Drawing for Watercolor"
Drawing for Watercolor by Chris Flagg Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9:00 am — 4:00 pm This workshop is for beginners in drawing and sketching.
JWS is offering this 1-day workshop for Members Only for $65, to be held at the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society building. You can register online after April 15. Additional details will be available soon on the JWS website/workshops.
One-Day Workshop
"Watercolor Basics"
Watercolor Basics by LuAnn Dunkinson
Saturday, July 21, 2026, 9:00 am —4:00 pm
This workshop is for beginners in watercolor painting.
JWS is offering this 1-day workshop for Members Only for $65, to be held at the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society building. You can register online after April 15. Additional details will be available soon on the JWS website/workshops.
Publications & Events
Click here to edit your description
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 - 2025
Rebecca (Becky) Mentz is the 2025 recipient of the Jacksonville Watercolor Society Artist of the Year. She served as VP of Membership for JWS for many years and she has volunteered for many years at Westminster Wood Retirement Community at the JWS outreach program teaching watercolor to the residents. Becky is a very talented artist with many award-winning paintings in her portfolio. She has been recognized by the Florida Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, and the Southern Watercolor Society with Signature Membership and is adding the American Watercolor Society to the list of Signature Memberships.
Click to See more about Rebecca Mentz, 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.