GREEN COUNTRY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Updated March 2018
ORIGINAL: works must be 100% conceived and created by the artist. Any reference photos used must be those taken by the artist. Works created in seminars, workshops and under instruction either by an artist in person, online, or print instruction, are not acceptable. Prints of any kind are not acceptable.
SUBJECT MATTER: The GCWS supports artistic creativity and self-expression, with the restriction that works which the exhibition committee deem too inappropriate or offensive to the general public (including minor children) will not be accepted. The exhibition committee is the final decision maker on all questions of subject matter acceptability.
MEDIUM: The GCWS supports water based media, and embraces technological advancements that further water media expression. “Water media” includes watercolors (e.g., tubes, cakes, pencils, sticks, watercolor crayons), gouache, and watercolor ink. Acrylics may be used only if water diluted and used in a flat aqueous manner consistent with watercolor style (e.g. no textural buildup, impasto). The GCWS excludes water-soluble oils, casein, pastels, oils, computer generated art, and photographs.
SURFACE: The GCWS accepts two-dimensional artwork, created on any surface designed to support water media in a professional and archival manner. Acceptable surfaces are paper (treated, synthetic, paper mounted on board, and natural paper), clay board, watercolor canvas, or other surface designed to support watercolor. Textured surfaces such as Gesso or other coatings may not be used to build dimension or impasto. Collage is allowed in no more than 25% of the composition and must consist of paper colored with water media, by the artist. Photos, clippings of print materials, foreign matter (e.g. wood, metal, feathers plant material) are not acceptable. Metallic and iridescent paints are not acceptable. All works must remain 2 dimensional.
SIZE:
Minimum – the visible art image, not including framing, mats, or mounting, must be at least 10 inches in height and 10 inches in width.
Maximum – the outer edge of the framed/mounted work may be no larger than 48 inches in height and 48 inches in width.
PRESENTATION: The GCWS supports the best balance between exhibition unity, and inclusion of new technological advances that further two-dimensional watercolor expression, as well as meeting the unique requirements of our hosting venues. Any piece the exhibition committee deems improperly presented may be rejected. Exemptions to the GCWS standards may occur due to requirements of a specific venue. In such a case, the exemptions will be included in the exhibit announcement and prospectus.
FRAMES: must be professional quality, with tight corners and no broken or chipped elements or paint, as well as clean, fingerprint and smudge free glazing. All frames must have back dust covers, except for metal frames, which may have solid board backs. All frames must have glazing, either glass or Plexiglas. Due to the difficulty of handling and hanging heavy pieces, large paintings should use Plexiglas glazing. All frames must use either mats or spacers to prevent glazing coming into contact with the surface of the artwork. All Frames must have a snug wire hanger, no saw tooth hangers. “Float” mounting is acceptable, provided it is under glazing. Each frame may hold only a single image. Multiple images in a single frame are not accepted. It is highly recommended that the frames be fairly plain. Excessively ornate frames are distracting in an exhibition.
MATS: If using mats, single or double mats are acceptable. The front mat must be white, off white, or very pale grey. The liner mat may be the artist’s choice of color and may not exceed ¼ inch visible width. Multiple openings in the mat are not acceptable. Mats must be clean, well cut, and should be archival quality board. Artwork may not extend onto the mat.
SPACERS: If presenting a painting in a frame without mats (e.g. painting reaches edge to edge or is “float” mounted), archival spacers must be placed between the frame and the artwork to prevent the glazing from coming into contact with the surface of the painting.
WRAPPED CANVAS/PAPER and CRADLE STYLE MOUNTS: All mounts must be well made, with tight, square corners, and if paper or canvas wraps around sides, it must be smooth and well fastened. All such mounts must have a depth from back to front (wall to paint surface) of at least 1.5 inches. The sides of all cradle style mounts must be finished. If wood cradle is visible, wood must be varnished, or painted to compliment the front artwork (no raw wood). If wrapped paper or canvas, sides must be painted to compliment front artwork, or continue the artwork image around sides, clear to the wall edge. All works that are not under glazing must be sealed with a waterproof, protective coating. The GCWS is not responsible for moisture or handling damage due to unprotected water media surfaces.
IDENTIFICATION: Each painting must have the artist’s name, phone number, painting title, medium, and sale price, on a tag attached to the back of the painting.
AWARDS: The juror solely selects the winners, without influence from the exhibition committee. In each juried exhibition, an artist can receive only a single award, regardless of how many paintings were entered. Award recipients are required to send appropriate thanks to the sponsors who donated their prize.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Although the GCWS accepts all the styles of presentation described above, it should be noted that many respected jurors strongly prefer traditional presentation (e.g. plain frames with glazing and mats, with the mats being white or pale neutral tones). All entering artists are responsible for choosing their presentation style and accepting that it may affect the assessment of their painting by the juror.
EXHIBITS:
FEES: A non-refundable fee may be charged for entering GCWS exhibits.
HANGING: No late delivered work will be accepted and hung in an exhibit. No work can be removed early from an exhibit. The hanging committee is solely responsible for placement and hanging all entries, creating an aesthetic whole in the most attractive and pleasing manner possible, to the credit of GCWS.
NOTICE of upcoming exhibitions: Exhibitions will be announced in the GCWS newsletter. Please keep a reference copy. Weight limit and size limits may apply, depending on the galleries where we hang.
CLOSING: Artwork cannot be left at an exhibit beyond the pick-up date. If unable to pick up work, you must arrange for someone to do it on the scheduled date/time. The hanging committee is not responsible for artwork that is not picked up correctly.
LIABILITY: The exhibition hanging committee shall take every care and precaution in the proper handling and installation of artwork. However, Green Country Watercolor Society, its officers and/or volunteers, are not responsible for loss or damage to any paintings or framing materials. Your entry in the exhibition constitutes an agreement with the above conditions. Artists are encouraged to arrange for private insurance coverage.