42nd National Exhibition
The Next Picture Show
A Fine Arts Center
113 W. First St.
Dixon, Illinois
May 1 – May 30, 2026
Call Overview
Entry Deadline: 3/10/26 at 11:59 p.m. MDT
Entry Fee (Entry Fee Non Members): $35.00
Entry Fee (IWS Member Entry Fee): $25.00
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum: 1, Maximum: 3
Total Samples | Minimum: 1, Maximum: 3
Call Description
42nd National Exhibition
May 1– May 30, 2026
The Next Picture Show
A Fine Arts Center
113 W. First St.
Dixon, Illinois
The Illinois Watercolor Society was established in 1981 and the first exhibition took place in 1982 at Glenview, Illinois. Today with over 190 members, IWS sponsors both a national show and a members’ invitational exhibit. IWS has also partnered with the Oak Brook Library and holds four meetings that feature demonstrations by nationally recognized artists which are free and open to the public.
Juror of Selection and Awards, Kris Parins
Selection and Awards Juror Kris Parins
- Entry Submission Deadline: Sunday, March 10, 2026
- Entry Fee: $35 for Non-Members, $25 for Members, $10 for Signature Members
- How to Enter: Online entries thru CaFÉ. a link to found at www.illinoiswatercolorsociety.org
- Anticipated $10,000 in cash awards — First Place is $2,000
- Exhibition Dates: April 30- May 30, 2026
Exhibition Awards
In addition to the prestige of participating in this wonderful exhibition, cash awards only will be presented by the Illinois Watercolor Society will total at least $10,000. Below is a complete list of awards.
First $2000.00
Second 1600.00
Third 1200.00
Award of Excellence I 800.00
Award of Excellance II 700.00
Award of Excellence III 600.00
Award of Excellence IV 400.00
Creative Spirit Award 500.00
Directors Choice 400.00
Strissell Memorial 300.00
People’s Choice 200.00
(6) Honorable Mentions 200.00
Exhibition Calendar
March 10 Deadline for entries
March 24 Accepted entries posted on
Application Requirements
Confirming Entries
- Acceptance only notification will be via email from CaFÉ.
- Once an entry is received you will receive a confirmation email that your entry has been successfully processed. After your entry has been submitted and confirmed, the art registration information cannot be revised or changed. This includes the Price, Title of the Entry and Entry Size.
Accepted Artwork
- All artists whose work is selected for exhibition will receive instructions for shipping and
- All artists whose work is selected for exhibition will receive instructions for shipping and
delivery in the Acceptance Notification. - Only one painting will be accepted from any individual artist.
- No substitutions of artwork can be made after acceptance.
- No peanut packing or wood cartons, please!
- Once accepted, no changes can be made to price, title or dimensions.
- Artwork must remain on display in the Gallery for the duration of the Exhibition. Removal of artwork prior to the closing will result in penalties assessed by the by the IWS Board of Directors.
Reception Invitation
- The reception is free and open to the public and will be held at the Next Picture Show Gallery on Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 1pm.
- The Awards Juror will offer a watercolor presentation at 1pm.
This will be followed by a ceremony recognizing award winners and new Signature honorees.
Sales
The Next Picture Show is responsible for all sales and will retain a 20% commission.
- Unless specified by the artist (NFS) all paintings will be for sale.
Publicity
IWS reserves the right to photograph and duplicate works for the catalog/website and publicity purposes.
Contact Information
For additional questions or clarification, please contact the show chairman at:
National Show Chair
847 714 9523
nationalshow@illinoiswatercolorsociety.org
Gallery Director
815-285-4924
info@nextpictureshow.org
Eligibility Criteria
Artwork Eligibility
The IWS National Exhibition is open to all artists who are 18 years or older.
- Work must be original (not derived from another’s intellectual property or copyrighted references).
- Painted after January 1, 2023
- Entries cannot have been displayed in an IWS Members’ Exhibition or IWS National Exhibition.
- Entries cannot have been completed in a class, workshop, or under supervision.
- Collage, digital media, photography, prints or reproductions are NOT permitted.
- All water soluble media including Watercolor, Acrylic and Gouache are permitted. Work painted on yupo or canvas is also permitted.
- Paintings framed must use plexiglass (no glass permitted). Opaque paintings completed on stretched canvas or boards may be framed without plexiglass or mat as long as they are glazed for protection.
- Mats must be white or neutral (a color similar to white).
- Paintings must be wired and ready for hanging. No “saw-tooth” hangers.
- Maximum frame size: 44″ in width or height.
- Only one painting per artist will be selected.
https://app.entrythingy.com/calls/external/illinois-watercolor-society-42nd-national-exhibition/