Categories of Entry

Entries are divided into the following two categories:

Category 1: Water-based Media

The artwork must maintain the character and appearance of watercolour.

Allowable water medium:

• artist’s quality watercolour paint
• watercolour ink
• watercolour crayon
• watercolour pencil
• workable fixative
• gouache (which can be applied transparently and opaquely)

The use of a graphite drawing and India ink are accepted. Only media listed in the definition here are allowed. Egg tempera, casein, acrylic and archival felt pens are not allowed.  

Allowable surfaces:

• organic fiber paper, which includes:
  • watercolour paper
  • watercolour paper glued to wood/composite panel
  • watercolour paper glued to canvas

Only media listed in the definition above are permissible.

Application must be by hand, brush or any tool by the artist without digital or mechanical assistance.

The artwork must maintain the character and appearance of watercolour.

Category 2: Experimental

Water media (as defined above) using a base of either Yupo and/or Watercolour Ground, is accepted. 

The artwork must maintain the character and appearance of watercolour.  

• Your work must be your own. If based on photographs, they must be your own photographs.
• All paintings must be solely conceived and created by the submitting Artist.
• Work completed during a workshop and/or under the tutelage of an instructor is ineligible. This includes live instruction, as well as tutorials in either book or video format.
• Work may be based on photograph(s) only if the original photograph(s) was/were taken by the submitting Artist. The submitting Artist must be the sole holder of copyright and trademark interest in the submitted paintings.
• Using stock imagery or photos taken by professional photographers even in the case of permission granted or paid licensing from the photographer IS NOT permitted. Images captured from a virtual meeting or any other tech process are not permitted.
• Use of computer-generated art and AI is not permitted. Digital post-processing or retouching of artist-owned reference materials is permitted.
• Infractions may have further consequences, as determined by the Jury, the Chair and the Board.

Additional Criteria

• There are no dimensional limitations for this exhibition besides those listed under "IMAGE REQUIREMENTS."
• Paintings must have been created within the last four (4) years.
• Paintings may not have been exhibited in a previous CSPWC/SCPA Elected Members Exhibition or Open Water Exhibition, whether in a gallery or online.
• Submitted works do not need to be for sale.
• Mechanically printed images are not permitted.
• Artists must submit their own paintings in their own name.

CONDITIONS OF EXHIBITION

1. Artists may submit up to two images. Up to two (2) paintings may be accepted. However, an artist is eligible to win only one award for this exhibition.
2. Paintings will be exhibited online only.
3. Paintings designated for sale must be priced in accordance with the artist’s current pricing structure.
4. When a painting sells, the shipping costs are the responsibility of the purchaser.
5. The CSPWC/SCPA will alert the artist about sale interest in their painting and pass along contact details.
6. The Jury and/or the Exhibition Chair(s) reserve the right not to post/exhibit any painting which does not conform to all the rules of the competition.
7. If an accepted artist withdraws their work after the adjudication, they will not be eligible to enter other CSPWC/SCPA exhibitions this year.
8. Entries that are accepted for exhibition will remain on display and available for sale (unless indicated as not for sale) until the end date of the exhibition. July 31, 2026.
9. Accepted paintings will persist in an online exhibition on the CSPWC website, www.cspwc.ca. The CSPWC reserves the right to remove any posted painting at any time for any reason.