Baltimore Watercolor Society upcoming events

Signature Member Exhibit at Creative Alliance (30 Jul 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Creative Alliance

July 30 - September 25, 2026

Location: 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore MD 21224

is hosting an Exhibit for BWS Signature Artist Members.

Due to limited gallery space, only paintings of 1/2 sheet size (image 23 X15) or smaller, down to a minimum of 10X10 or 100 square inches will be accepted

Location: 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore MD, 21224

Schedule

Deadline for entries: June 20, 2026 or until the exhibit is full, whichever comes first.

Drop Off Dates: TUESDAY, July 28, and WEDNESDAY, July 29 from noon-4:00PM (updated 6/15/26)

Opening Reception: Friday August 7 6-8PM

Pick Up: Saturday September 26, 2026 from 2:00-4:00PM

Each Registrant can enter only one painting

Please note: Your membership in BWS must be current in order to register for this show.

Deadline for entries: June20, 2026 or until the exhibit is full, whichever comes first.

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events.
If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

All registrations have to be paid within 5 days of registering. No exceptions please.

Gallery Commission 40% on all sales

BWS Member Show Exhibition Rules and Regulations

As part of registering, you are presented with the exhibit rules and regulations that apply to all of our Member Show Exhibits. Please be sure to click the link in the registration form to read the full set of rules.

Here are some highlights from the rules and regulations.

You own the copyright for your painting and your source material and nothing in the Artwork violates or infringes any copyrights, trademarks, or other property rights or personal rights of others.

Paint on natural or synthetic paper or paperboard and display the painting under glazing (matted or floated).

No impasto applications of mediums or paint

Display gallery wrapped watermedia paintings without mat or frame with no staples or hardware visible.

Paintings framed without mat or glazing must be mounted on a ridged surface and have a waterproof coating or protective sealant.

Use of paper canvas, fabric canvas (cotton or linen), Aquabord, Claybord, or Gessobord for the watermedia paintings must have a protective sealant (e.g., varnish or wax)

Use only paper-based collage material created by the artist with water-based media.

The rules regarding mats and frames apply when mats and frames are used. They must be clean and without scratches.

Please submit an image with your registration.
Registrants acknowledge that, for promotional and educational purposes, images of pieces submitted may be used by BWS and the Host Gallery.

Payment

Online is the preferred method of payment.

If you prefer to pay by check, write the check to BWS and mail it to:

April Rimpo
14032 Howard Rd
Dayton, MD 21036-1020

For any questions contact David Drown

Email: davdrown@comcast.net

Refund Policy

No refunds (except in the case of the event being cancelled for weather or other reasons.)

In Person - Realism in Bold Colors with Frank Spino (01 Sep 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

IN PERSON -Realism in Bold Colors with Frank Spino

Sep 1-3, 2026

The Hawthorn Center

6175 Sunny Spring Rd. Columbia, MD 21044-5623

Registration:

Members: Jun 17, 2026, $320

Non-members: Jul 1, 2026, $360

Registration ends Aug 25, 2026, or when the event is full.

Not a Member?
Consider becoming an Associate Member for $30/year.

To pay the member fee you must become a member then register for this class.

Join us here.

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events.
If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

If you don't login the system will not know you are a member so you will not be able to register during the members only registration time and the computer will not give you the members only price.

All registrations have to be paid within 5 days of registering. No exceptions please.

Workshop Instructor:

Join artist Frank Spino, an internationally renowned watercolorist known for his bold, realistic style for a 3 day in-person workshop.

Frank Spino, AWS, NWS, TWSA, PWS, FWS, BWS

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

In this immersive workshop, Frank will share the practical insights, professional tips, and signature techniques you need to elevate your own art. Through detailed explanations, live demonstrations, and tailored individual instruction, you will journey far beyond the basics. Together, we will build new skills, conquer creative fears, and build lasting artistic confidence.

What You Will Accomplish

Break Out The Color: Move past timid washes and embrace bold, confident color.

Paint Two Luminous Artworks: Receive step-by-step guidance to reproduce two of Frank's dynamic, light-filled paintings: one utilizing vibrant, highly-saturated colors and a second employing a soft, subtle palette.

Overcome Obstacles: Identify counterproductive habits and learn how to successfully "fix" a broken watercolor.

Whether you are looking to refine your technique or find your artistic voice, this supportive environment offers the critiques and one-on-one assistance you need to move forward with confidence.

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE:

This course is intended for the experienced beginner through to the advanced painter.

Although all are welcome, this is not an introductory-level class. We will cover a lot of territory at a brisk pace.

Supply list:

Click on the link below to see the recommended supply list. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sh85xZTKk2WQQxpRxNArHmiGULdk4jIC/view?usp=drive_link

INSTRUCTIONS

About 30 days before the event, you will receive images that we’ll paint in the workshop.

BIOGRAPHY:

In 2009, a friend took Frank to his first watercolor show. The talent surprised him - and it got him excited about the medium. Soon after, he began a serious exploration of watercolor.

Frank started his career as a sign painter. He painted thousands of walls and windows, developing logos and branding businesses, large and small. After 15 years he was asked to join the team at Kennedy Space Center. He transitioned to billboard painting where he would often paint a 10’ x 30’ billboard in a single day. As the age-old craft of signpainting began to wane with the advancement of computer technology, Frank went with the rising tide and moved on to computer graphics.

Frank’s decades of creating good design, his knowledge of color, and tens of thousands of hours with a brush in hand were of tremendous benefit when he finally turned his eye towards watercolor.

Frank had a five month solo show at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida. His watercolors have been selected for many worldwide exhibitions: World of High Watercolor in Russia, World Watercolor Masters at the International Watercolor Society in Holland, World Watercolor Masters Select Group at The Hague, International Watercolor III, IV & V in Greece, Biennial International Prize Marche D’Acqua in Italy, Shenzhen International Watercolor Biennial in China, Shanghai-Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Exhibition in China, FabrianoInAcquarello in Italy, International Watercolor Society in Canada, Missouri Watercolor International Exhibition in Spain, National Watercolor Society (NWS), American Watercolor Society (AWS), Transparent Watercolor Society of America which he will judge in 2027 (TWSA), Southern Watercolor Society (SW), Florida Watercolor Society (FWS) and many other regional and state watercolor societies. He has achieved signature status in the AWS, NWS, TWSA, SW, FWS, BWS and PWS. (Baltimore, Pennsylvania)

His paintings have been published in the Art of Watercolor, American Artist Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, and many others. He had the cover and a seven page article in Watercolor Artist. His painting graced the cover of “Splash 14, The Best of Watercolor,” a hardbound book published annually, and his paintings have been included in Splash 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

WORKSHOP PRICE:

$320.00 for BWS members (Signature Artists, Associates, and Students) and

$360.00 for non-BWS members.

The class size is limited to 22 people, and the workshop cannot be split with another person.

PAYMENTS:

Please pay online if possible. The payment system allows the use of Credit Cards. Otherwise, checks should be made out to Baltimore Watercolor Society. Please enter the name of the workshop on your check. You will receive another email with the instructions for the check payment, if online payment is not opted during checkout process. Questions can be addressed by replying to this email.

Confirmation of your registration will be sent upon receipt of your check or online payment. Checks must be received within 5 days of registration to be considered as registered.

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT:

www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events > Upcoming Events.
If a Member, be sure to login before registering.

Remember that these workshops fill up very quickly. When filled, you can join the waiting list.

WAITING LIST:

BWS maintains a workshop waiting list. When openings occur, BWS fills the openings from the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.

BWS adds names to the waiting list according to the date and time.

You can join the waiting list if a workshop is filled. There are often openings so it is worth doing if you are interested in the class.

You can't join a waiting list before registration opens.

Waiting List registrants - Do not send payment until you are informed of an opening and have been sent an invoice. Any check sent before you have been informed you have a spot will be destroyed.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

BWS makes decisions and incurs fixed costs based on the number of initial registrants. Cancellations can affect these costs even if there is a waiting list. In addition, cancellations incur processing fees and other costs paid by BWS as well as requiring extra time and organizational effort. Refunds for extenuating circumstances are at the discretion of the event coordinator.

From registration date to 60 days prior to the event = 90% refund

59 days to 21days prior = 75% refund

20 days to 8 days prior = 50% refund

7 days or fewer = no refund

In the event of inclement weather, the workshop will still be held unless the Hawthorn Center is unable to open or the workshop artist is unable to travel. If BWS cancels the workshop, then all paid registrants will receive a full pro-rata refund for those days that were cancelled.

Check the website for changes, updates and new information.

Questions and requests to be added to the waiting list can be directed to Workshop chair by replying to this email.

LOCATION:

The Hawthorn Center is located in the community of Hickory Ridge in Columbia, Maryland:

6175 Sunny Spring Rd. Columbia, MD 21044-5623

Tel: (410) 730-7327

WORKSHOP HOURS:

First Day Hours - Sep 1, 2026 - Hawthorn Center doors open at 9:30 AM to allow you to set up your workspace. Workshop instruction begins: 10:00 AM on the first day and end at 4:00 PM.

Sep 2 and 3 - Doors will open at 9:00 AM and instruction will be from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

One-hour break for lunch

Please plan to leave by 4:15 PM. Hawthorne Center closes and doors are locked promptly at 4:30 PM

MASKING POLICY:

If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask feel free to do so.

Please be advised that we are not requiring participants to wear a mask at this time.

October 2026 Signature Artist Jurying Sign Up (04 Oct 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 03:59:00 GMT

BWS SEMI-ANNUAL JURYING FOR SIGNATURE ARTIST STATUS REGISTRATION

ASSOCIATE AND NON-BWS ARTISTS WELCOME.

Registration is Open August 1st Through October 3rd 11:59PM.

APPLICANTS FOR SIGNATURE STATUS IN BALTIMORE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY MUST RESIDE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION: DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, OR WEST VIRGINIA

Jurying by the Board of Governors will convene October 17, 2026, and decision letters will be mailed to artists within two weeks of this date. Only the Board participates in the jurying process.

Register on our website under Upcoming Events at:

www.baltimorewatercolorsociety.org

As part of registering to have your artwork juried, you must upload four samples of your work that meet the criteria described in the document at the link below. Read this document carefully, even if you have read it in the past, as changes or updates may have been added. Be sure that criteria outlined in the document is met before submitting images and completing the registration form.

Please click here to view the Jury_Packet_October 2026

Once you have read criteria outlined in the jury packet and have selected paintings to submit, you will need to upload digital images of them as part of the registration process. Your images must be jpeg or jpg format, The file should be no larger than 3 MB.

Email jury chair with questions.

Janet Arsenault

janetarsenault@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org

From Pigment to Pixels, an All-Member Online Exhibition (01 Nov 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:00:00 GMT

From Pigment to Pixels, an All-Member Online Exhibition

Helping to bridge the gap as we transition from Fall to Spring Mid-Atlantic exhibitions, this online exhibition will be open to all BWS Members and will appear on the BWS Virtual Gallery beginning in December. There will be link to the website from the BWS website.

Each BWS member is invited to submit one watermedia painting image. The entry fee will be $20.

Awards (tentative)--There will be two sets of awards, one set for Signature members, the other for Associate and Student members. Each set will include: 1st place: $400, 2nd place: $300, 3rd place $200, plus three honorable mentions $100 each.

Entry will be via CaFÉ during the month of September.

The juror of awards will be Pittsburgh-based artist Jeannie McGuire. Award winners will be announced by mid-October.

The exhibition prospectus will be published by August 1.

Note that we won't be posting images on the Baltimore Art Billboard as was done in the previous Pigment to Pixels exhibition.

Baltimore Watercolor Society upcoming events

Signature Member Exhibit at Creative Alliance (30 Jul 2026)

Creative Alliance

is hosting an Exhibit for BWS Signature Artist Members.

Due to limited gallery space, only paintings of 1/2 sheet size (image 23 X15) or smaller, down to a minimum of 10X10 or 100 square inches will be accepted

Location: 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore MD, 21224

Schedule

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events. If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

All registrations have to be paid within 5 days of registering. No exceptions please.

BWS Member Show Exhibition Rules and Regulations

Payment

Refund Policy

In Person - Realism in Bold Colors with Frank Spino (01 Sep 2026)

IN PERSON -Realism in Bold Colors with Frank Spino

Sep 1-3, 2026

Members: Jun 17, 2026, $320

Non-members: Jul 1, 2026, $360

Registration ends Aug 25, 2026, or when the event is full.

Not a Member? Consider becoming an Associate Member for $30/year.

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events. If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

If you don't login the system will not know you are a member so you will not be able to register during the members only registration time and the computer will not give you the members only price.

All registrations have to be paid within 5 days of registering. No exceptions please.

Workshop Instructor:

Frank Spino, AWS, NWS, TWSA, PWS, FWS, BWS

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE:

Supply list:

INSTRUCTIONS

BIOGRAPHY:

WORKSHOP PRICE:

PAYMENTS:

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT:

www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events > Upcoming Events. If a Member, be sure to login before registering.

WAITING LIST:

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

LOCATION:

WORKSHOP HOURS:

MASKING POLICY:

October 2026 Signature Artist Jurying Sign Up (04 Oct 2026)

BWS SEMI-ANNUAL JURYING FOR SIGNATURE ARTIST STATUS REGISTRATION

ASSOCIATE AND NON-BWS ARTISTS WELCOME.

Registration is Open August 1st Through October 3rd 11:59PM.

Register on our website under Upcoming Events at:

www.baltimorewatercolorsociety.org

From Pigment to Pixels, an All-Member Online Exhibition (01 Nov 2026)

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events.
If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

Not a Member?
Consider becoming an Associate Member for $30/year.

FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION VISIT: www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events.
If a Member, Be sure to login before registering.

www.bws.wildapricot.org and go to Public Events > Upcoming Events.
If a Member, be sure to login before registering.