HomeWFWS 2023 Exhibition

Western Federation of Watercolor Societies 2023 Exhibition

From May 6 to June 2, 2023, SWS hosted the 48th Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS) Exhibition in Grapevine, TX. The exhibition was mounted at the Tower Gallery, 636 Main Street. The juror and judge for awards was the prestigious watercolor painter, Mary Whyte, https://www.marywhyte.com

The Western Federation of Watercolor Societies includes over 5,000 artists in ten societies across the western states. The juried show is hosted each year by a different regional member society. We showcase works on paper created with a variety of water-based media. Membership in WFWS is automatic for any member of one ten western watercolor societies.

The awards reception, held on May 5th was very well attended and was hosted by Exhibition Chair, Jones McConnell Jr. (Jonesy). He introduced all of the delegates from each of the member societies and gave awards to each of the winners. There was general agreement that this was a particularly strong exhibition. There were many positive complements about the quality and variety of the watercolor paintings on display. Styles range from paintings full of whimsy and subjective color to almost photographic imagery. Subject matter is equally varied.

Exhibition Dates: May 6 – June 2, 2023

Location: Tower Gallery in Grapevine, Texas

636 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051

Juror: Mary Whyte

Best of Show ($1500) was awarded to Chuck Rouse from the South Dakota Watercolor Society for his painting, “Backwater.” Other award winners include:

David Gale Award John Salminen, SDWS “George IV Bridge” $1000

Award of Excellence Kathy Elliott, SWS “The Walls Came Tumbling Down” $ 750

Award of Excellence Bev Boren, SWS “Snow Patterns” $ 750

Lone Star Award Joyce Green, IWS “Persistence of Pine Triptych” $ 500

Longhorn Award Dana Brock, SWS “A Canned Perspective” $ 500

Stetson Award Sheilagh Cooper, SWS “Road Trip” $ 500

Silver Spur Award Roxanne Pfister, UWS “Laborer” $ 500

Award of Merit Antoaneta Georgieva, SDWS “Daybreak” $ 500

Provided by Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff

Award of Merit Jana Parkin, UWS “Crown of Clouds Morning Light” $ 200

Provided by Dick Blick Art Materials

Award of Merit Kim Smith, WSO “What the Tide Brings In” $ 100

Provided by Dick Blick Art Materials

Award of Merit Randy Hale, CWS “Lake Country” $ 100

Provided by Dick Blick Art Materials

Award of Merit Jac Tilton, AWA “All Tangled Up” $ 100

Provided by Dick Blick Art Materials

M Graham Award Jane Jones, SWS “Mission Accomplished”

Holbein Award Judi Betts, SWS “Paradise Found”

QoR Award Linda Sherman, AWA “Fading Light”

See the paintings that were exhibited at the 2023 Western Federation Watercolor Societies Exhibition.

WFWS Exhibition Slides 2023