Skip to main content
HomeNews / Articles

Recent Articles
Recent Articles

Michael Holter Presents - Varnish: It's Between You and Your Painting

Constance Corbett - 8/10/2023



Painter, instructor and SWS member Michael Holter shared his expertise in varnishing watercolor paintings at the May 2023 SWS Monthly Member Meeting.  This information is particularly timely, as SWS is allowing varnished and waxed paintings for the first time in its Annual Membership Exhibition.

Find his informative presentation here: Varnish: It's Between You and Your Painting!



SWS Hosts WFWS Exhibition in Grapevine, Texas

Dalynn Montgomery - 2/11/2023

SWS hosts the prestigious Western Federation of Watercolor Societies annual exhibition this year in Grapevine, Texas.

The Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS) was formed in 1976 by the New Mexico Watercolor Society and included nine other watercolor societies. The purpose was to make a large and prestigious watercolor exhibition available at low cost to members for small and often isolated watercolor groups.

Today, the WFWS includes over 5,000 artists in ten regional watercolor societies and guilds.


Map of WFWS

The WFWS encourages and recognizes artistic excellence and works to increase visibility of watercolor as an artistic medium through our annual juried exhibitions. The exhibitions are sponsored by WFWS and hosted by a regional member society. Delegates meet annually (usually at the current show) to conduct general business and discuss the next year’s plans. Each society hosts the show on a rotating basis.  This year's exhibition will be at the Tower Gallery on Main Street in Grapevine. 

There were 699 paintings entered for the exhibition. The juror, Mary Whyte accepted 90 paintings into the exhibition.  SWS had a tremendous showing, with 17 artists accepted:

E. Gordon West
Jo Williams
Jane Jones
Michael Archer
Mary Rylant Batson
Olivette Hubler
DonTaylor
Sondra Carr
Judi Betts
Kathy Elliott
Barbara Lindley
Sheilagh Cooper
Mary Elle
Dana Brock
Beverly Boren 
Cecy Turner
Jessica Kirklin

The opening reception for the exhibition will be on Saturday, May 6th. The show will be on display through June 2.


Click Here to RSVP
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events