Education and Outreach

To fulfill its mission to be “an ongoing recognized leader in expanding the appreciation of and involvement in watermedia”, SDWS founders and continuing members understand that instruction and education are key elements. To that end SDWS Board of Directors has continuously incorporated not just instruction in specific watermedia methods for experienced artists but also sought to inspire and educate aspiring artist through our outreach programs.

Click HERE to view 2022/23 Outreach Video
Click HERE to view ArtWalk 2022 Video
Click HERE to view SDWS ED 2021/2022 Video
Click HERE to view SDWS Ed 2021 Video
Click HERE to view Education/Outreach 2019 Video 
Click HERE to view Education Outreach Doyle Elementary School 2019 Video

Youth/Senior Outreach

The San Diego Watercolor Society provides all the materials and instruction needed to engage both our youngest and most senior aspiring artists through various community outreach activities. Prepared with all necessary supplies, our volunteer teachers and aides visit numerous excited classes at elementary schools within the city of San Diego where visual arts programs are limited or non-existant. At the end of each visit, the San Diego Watercolor Society often donates paint sets and brushes, and leaves a packet of lessons to be used by site instructors. In addition, our teachers visit many senior centers, teaching these enthusiastic adults.

Liberty School

For many years the NTC Foundation has offered San Diego Watercolor Society teachers the opportunity to bring hands on authentic art learning experiences to hundreds of at-risk students. The program is called Liberty School. Students from Dewey Elementary School are included in the program since this school’s population is mainly military families where parents are deployed away from home for many months. Students and teachers alike find this program extremely rewarding. 

Adult Beginner Classes

There is a growing population of adult San Diegans who discover a desire (or just overcome our fears) to create watermedia art later in life and who would like to learn how to paint. SDWS has put together a curriculum of six weekend classes for adults that are offered twice each year to give these late starter artists the skills they need.


SDWS Lesson Plans