Admitted Artists - Start Here:

Congratulations on being admitted to the 51st annual WFWS exhibition hosted by the Colorado Watercolor Society! We had over 800 entries, so this is an incredible accomplishment. Please read this page carefully for next steps. Your main source of information for this exhibition is your society's WFWS delegate. Please direct any and all questions to your delegate before reaching out to CWS as this will allow for the most accurate and timely information. View the list of delegates to contact yours. 

Step One - Frame size selection

CWS is providing frames for this show. The deadline to notify your delegate of your desired frame size is Friday, February 20. Your frame size must be selected from the following options: 16x20, 18x22, 20x24, 20x27, 22x22, 22x28, 24x30, 24x36, 27x35, 30x30, or 30x40. Your selected frame size should be the measurement of the outside of your mat (artwork dimensions plus a minimum of 3 inches on all four sides). The widths of all sides of your mat do not all need to be the same measurement, though no sides may be narrower than 3 inches.

Step Two - Download and fill out your required documents

1. Log into your WFWS ArtCall account by clicking this link and entering your user information. Once you have logged in, you will see your accepted artwork hi-lighted in green. Click "Print Label" near the photo of your painting under "Info." Print the resulting document and save for step three. 
2. Print and complete a W-9 form. Save for step three. 
3. Print and complete the Curtis Center Artist Display Agreement and save for step three. 
4. Write a $50 check made payable to your society. Save for step three. Note: this check is a handling fee for use by CWS to help cover costs of exhibition. Each society will collect their members' checks then send the sum to CWS in one single payment.  

Step Three - Matting your painting and prepping for shipment

1. FRAMING:  Do NOT frame your painting; CWS is providing frames, glazing, and hanger wire for your entry.
2. MATTING REQUIREMENT: All accepted paintings must have a SINGLE, TRUE WHITE mat with a minimum border width of 3 inches on all sides (not all sides have to be the same measurement, though none may be shorter than 3 inches). Your painting will be re-matted at your expense if hosting society deems your mat is any color other than a true white. However, your mat’s outer measurement must be in whole inches and be one of the following sizes: 16x20, 18x22, 20x24, 20x27, 22x22, 22x28, 24x30, 24x36, 27x35, 30x30, or 30x40.
3. FOAM CORE BACKER: Each accepted entry must include a foam core backer, 3/16th inch thick, that’s the same overall size as the mat the artist is providing with the painting.
4. PREVENT SLIPPAGE! Be sure your painting is securely fastened to your mat. The visible image within mat window opening must accurately match the image documented in your ArtCall entry.
5. LABELS: Print out your ArtCall submission labels. One (of the two) labels must be attached to the upper right of the matted painting’s BACK side on the foam core backer.  Attach the other label to the outside FRONT of your clear plastic protective sleeve (clearbag).
6. INCLUDE in CLEAR BAG PROTECTIVE SLEEVE: Each artist’s clear protective sleeve must have one of your Artcall labels taped to the OUTSIDE. Matted painting must be INSIDE clearbag  sleeve and include foam core backer (second label affixed to upper right corner of foam core), a completed and signed W-9 form; a signed Curtis Center Artist Display Agreement, and a $50 handling fee check made out to the your host society. Do NOT seal clear protective sleeve, but tape it shut with blue painters tape.
7. INSURE PAINTING:  Each artist responsible for insuring their own painting to cover loss or damage while out of possession.
8. BE COMPLETE:  Your painting will not be accepted to be hung without all appropriate paperwork and handling check included in package along with your properly matted entry.
9. DELIVERY: Deliver your complete package with painting --  ONLY to your society delegate no later than April 3, 2026. Do NOT ship your painting to Colorado. Your delegate must first check your painting and will then ship ALL of your society’s accepted paintings to the 51^st WFWS freight forwarder in a single shipment. 
10. DEADLINE: Submit your matted and prepped painting to your society delegate no later than APRIL 3^rd.  If you have any questions about matting and/or shipping requirements, please contact your society delegate.

Step Four - Plan your visit to Colorado! 

This is where the fun begins! We would like to formally invite you to participate in our exhibition festivities. Registration all events will be available in late February. We will notify your delegates as soon as registration opens. Details for group discounted hotel reservations are as follows. 

1. Book Your Hotel for WFWS

Below is the link for the Hilton Garden Inn where all WFWS events will take place (except the art opening and Xi Guo's worksho, which are both at the Curtis Center). We have a terrific room rate for this hotel, $155.00 a night and the whole hotel was just completely remodeled, so it's really nice!  You must book before April 8 if you plan on staying at the hotel using our group rate.  The hotel is about 15 minutes from the Curtis.  We will have vans to and from the Curtis, the Awards Dinner is at the hotel, and we will have bus transportation to the Museum and Meininger's event.

Book Your Hotel for WFWS in Denver

2. Reserve your spot at the WFWS Awards Dinner and Cocktail Hour

CWS will be hosting an Awards Dinner and Cocktail Hour on Friday, May 8th to celebrate the exhibition. The evening will include an optional cocktail hour, plated dinner, live musicians from the Colorado Symphony, and our awards ceremony. Awards will include over $11k in cash prizes, recognition of WFWS signature and master status, and much more. You will not want to miss this event!

Register for the WFWS Awards Dinner