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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the Georgia Watercolor Society?
Membership in the Georgia Watercolor Society is open to both residents and non-residents of Georgia who are interested in promoting the art of watercolor. Dues are $30 per year. A Life Membership is available for $300 (one-time payment). A Student Membership is $20 per year for full-time students at accredited art schools. A membership application is available on this website. top
Why should I join GWS?
Membership in the Georgia Watercolor Society is a great way to meet other watercolorists and keep up with the art of watercolor in Georgia. Our two annual exhibitions provide an opportunity to see some of the best of what is being accomplished in watercolor today. Our newsletter features articles about watercolorists and watercolor techniques. GWS-sponsored watercolor demonstrations give you an opportunity to explore techniques. Our website provides many opportunities for you to get exposure for your art. Most of all, joining GWS helps to promote watercolor as a rich and vibrant medium throughout Georgia. top
What is Signature Membership
Signature Membership in the Georgia Watercolor Society is determined by the following point system: one (1) point per National Exhibition and one-half (1/2) point per Members Exhibition acceptance. A total of three (3) points is required, including at least one National Exhibition acceptance. You must be a current member to receive credit points. Signature Members are required to pay annual dues to retain Signature status. If there is a lapse in membership, previous points are not retained. top
When does GWS hold exhibitions?
GWS generally holds three exhibitions each year. The National Exhibition is held in the spring and is open to all watercolorists.Awards in the National Exhibitions generally total $8,000 - $10,000. The Members' Exhibition, held in the fall, is open only to GWS members. The Signature Members Show is open to GWS Signature Members only. top
How do I enter paintings in GWS exhibitions?
First, you will need to find a copy of the prospectus, which has all the details about how to enter a show. All GWS members receive a copy of the prospectus. Also, you can download a copy of the prospectus for each show from this website or you may contact the Exhibition Chair to have a copy mailed to you. The prospectus is usually available 8 - 12 weeks before the deadline for CD's. You also have the option of emailing the digital images. Once you get the prospectus, you will need to fill out the entry form. With the entry form, you will need to send a check for the registration fee, and a CD of up to three of your paintings. If you are entering a Members' Exhibition, you must be a GWS member. If you are entering the Signature Exhibition, you must be a Signature member of GWS. National Exhibitions are open to all watercolorists. top
Does GWS accept PayPal?
Starting with the 2012 National Exhibition, GWS will start accepting PayPal for payment, along with the traditional way of accepting checks. Just follow the links on the GWS website, fill out the form, and click Pay Now. You will be taken to the PayPal web site, where you can enter your payment details. You do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal. Just enter your credit card number once and click Pay.

If you have trouble accessing the GWS form, enter http://www.georgiawatercolorsociety.com/forms/NewForm.html
in your browser's address bar.
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What are the rules for submitting digital images?
1. Take a digital picture using a digital camera of 3.0 megapixels or higher, or scan a slide or photograph of the painting and save it in a computer file.
2. Crop the image so that the entire painting is visible without extraneous background or framing showing. The saved image should represent the painting exactly.
3. Save the image on a writable CD. Image size should be at least 1200 pixels on the longest dimension. The file format must be JPEG (highest quality, no compression). All entries must be on one CD.
4. Name the digital file as follows: Nameofpainting.jpg
5. Label CD in permanent ink with your full name and the names of the paintings.
6. OR you can submit the digital file to entries@georgiawatercolorsociety.com.

E-mail questions to Sharon Lehman at swlehman@hotmail.com
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I want to submit a digital image for an exhibition. How do I resize the image?
When you take a picture with your digital camera, the image will probably be larger than what is required in the prospectus. How you resize the image will depend on the type of computer and software you have. The following links provide instructions on how to resize images with several popular software packages: top
Do you allow collage in GWS shows?
GWS does not allow collage in it's National Exhibition. GWS does allow collage in it's Members Exhibition, water media must be the dominant element (no oils). Collage elements must be the original water media created by the artist.No preprinted or computer generated images. top
Do you allow Yupo in GWS shows?
Yes, we allow paintings on Yupo as long as they meet the other requirements for our exhibitions. top
Do you allow watercolor canvas in GWS shows?
Yes, we allow paintings created on watercolor canvas as long as they meet the other requirements for our exhibitions. Particularly, paintings on watercolor canvas must meeting the matting and framing requirements. top
What are your requirements for framing and matting?
We require all paintings for the National Exhibition to be framed behind plexiglass (no glass) with a simple gold, silver or black metal or unadorned natural wood frames not to exceed 3" in width, ready for hanging with wire in place. Mats or liners if any must be white or light neutral color. Paintings must be unvarnished. For the Members Exhibition metal and wood frame requirements above still apply. However, work may be varnished or waxed before framing, with plexiglass if glazed, no glass. Work must be on paper, yupo or watercolor canvas. top
What is the best way to ship my painting to a GWS show?
GWS accepts paintings shipped via UPS or FedEx. The easiest and most economical way to ship a painting is to create a UPS or FedEx account online. This method allows you to print your shipping labels, complete with barcodes, at home. The shipment is billed to your credit card. Do Not use counter delivery only.
The procedures work the basically the same way for both companies. Log in to your account, create a shipment, print the shipping label, create a return shipment, and print the return label. Attach the shipping label to the box for your painting, and enclose the return shipping label in then envelope with your acceptance fee. Once you have finished, take your box to the nearest dropoff location for your carrier, most often a Kinkos/FedEx location or a UPS store.
You will want to compare prices at UPS and FedEx. The rates for each carrier will vary depending on the dimensions, weight, and distance. Choose the one that gives you the better price.
Note: our experience has been that UPS works well in just about all circumstances. FedEx works well if you print your shipping and return labels from an online account, but it can difficult to get FedEx to pick up return packages that use air bills, call tags or other methods. We do not recommend using FedEx unless you have a FedEx account and you or your packing service (Kinkos) can generate a return label with a barcode. top
How do I get a member gallery page on this website?
GWS Gallery pages are available to all GWS members for a nominal setup fee of $20. We encourage all of our members to get a gallery page. It's a great way for visitors to our website to find our more about you, and it's a terrific way to drive traffic to your own website. If you request a gallery page, we will ask you to email us a brief biography and up to 4 digital images of your work. More instructions about how to get a GWS gallery page are available. top