From Standing Rules - Exhibits Rules Summary
SWS Membership Requirement
To hang in an SWS exhibit, membership in the Society is required a minimum of 30 days prior to the entry day.
Paintings
  • Paintings must be original artwork executed in water-based media usingwatercolor technique. Water-based media is defined as paint which is easily re-workable when water is applied, even once dry (i.e., watercolors and gouache).
  • 80/20 Rule: Other media (e.g. pastel, acrylic, textured grounds, colored pencil,inks, etc.) may be used as accents as long as they do not comprise more than 20% of the completed painting.
  • Watercolor collage is acceptable, following the 80/20 Rule, above.
  • Any painting support may be used as long as compliance with the other Standing Rules is assured
  • Work produced in a workshop, class or under similar instructional supervision is not eligible.
Eligibility, Size and Number of Paintings Allowed
  • Size is determined by the outside dimensions of the mat where it fits into the frame rabbet (frame ledge)
  • The Exhibit Chair shall set the minimum and maximum size and number ofpaintings allowed per entrant. The Exhibit Chair will also determine the maximum age of the art.
  • Paintings shown in two prior SWS exhibits in the past 24 months are ineligible for hanging but they may be included as bin art, if the exhibit allows bin art.
  • Art may be displayed as bin art (if allowed) if it is unframed, matted, has a backing,and is enclosed in an appropriately sized archival clear envelope. Matting must be clean and ready for framing.
Matting and Framing
  • All paintings must be matted or appropriately floated within the frame. Painting must not touch the glass.
  • Acrylic must be used in place of glass where outside dimensions of the matmeasure more than 22"x 28" (or more than 616 sq. in.)
  • Non-glare glass, clip frames and uni-frames are not allowed.
  • Archival materials must be used. No cardboard or masking tape is allowed.
  • Frames must be securely wired for hanging. No saw tooth hangers allowed.
  • Glass, frames and matting must be clean and without chips, cracks or scratches.
  • Paintings must be securely mounted within the frame using professional framing clips or points.
  • The back of the frame must be clean and neat, with no manufacturer’s labels or easel attachments.
  • Dust covers are optional but are encouraged on wood and syntheticframes. Metal frames do not require dust covers.
  • Paintings on supports such as Aquabord, watercolor canvas, or watercolor papermounted to boards, do not require matting or framing under glass, but must be protected from surface damage by layers of wax, varnish or other permanent protective sealer. These sealed paintings must be presented in a professional manner, where cradled boards are properly stained and varnished, or thepainting is securely installed within a frame, or edges are painted as an extensionof the work. Sealer must be completely dry before hanging in any SWS exhibit.​
Sale and Pricing
  • Entries must be for sale and priced with intent to sell.
  • SWS does not sell art. It is the artist’s responsibility to make arrangements for payment and transfer to the purchasing party. The exception is when the venue operator has agreed to collect payment for purchases. 
  • Entries must hang for the duration of the exhibit unless sold during the exhibit and the purchaser is unable to return for the painting at exhibit closing.
  •  Sales tax is the responsibility of the artist.
Liability and Insurance
Although safety precautions will be taken, neither SWS nor the exhibit venue will accept any liability for damage or theft. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.
Judged Exhibits
  • Entries will not have been exhibited in any previous SWS judged exhibit.
  • The Exhibit Chair and committee for a judged exhibit may elect to impose morelimitations and requirements than for a non-judged exhibit.
  • Only one SWS member is allowed in the exhibit space during the judging, eitherthe Exhibit Chair or a SWS board member.
Compliance
  • SWS retains the right to refuse any artwork that does not meet the Standing Rulesfor Exhibits as stated herein, or has an offensive nature.
  •  The online entry registration form must include the artist’s certification that the Standing Rules have been complied with.

Art to light up your Life
​Sierra Watercolor Society Winter Show 2023

Picture
"Into the Fire" by Sherry Klingensmith
From: November 22nd to January 3rd, 2024
Registration deadline: November 12th
Take-in: Sunday, November 19th 11-1pm
Take-down: January 4th 11-1pm
Where: Wilbur D. May Center
​1595 N Sierra Street Reno NV 89503
Reception: Holiday Brunch on December 2nd 10 am- noon
​
Contact: Diane and Reid Sewell or
​Marjee Smith marjee198@gmail.com

Entry Rules: ( for complete details see Standing Rules and Bylaws)
  • 2 hanging paintings allowed, only one of which may be a full-size sheet.
  • Paintings shown in 2 prior SWS exhibits in the past 24 months are ineligible.
  • Bin Art: 3 maximum per artist. Must be unframed, cleanly matted, backed and encased in appropriately-sized archival clear envelope (other wrappings are not acceptable).


​EXHIBIT Galleries