San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition

Thank you for considering entering the San Diego Watercolor Society’s 46th International Exhibition.

SDWS was established in 1965 and is one of the largest and most active in the United States. The International Exhibition is widely recognized for its high standard of excellence in water media art.

For over four decades, the International Exhibition has been an annual highlight for SDWS. The event attracts entries from hundreds of water media artists worldwide.

The Exhibition features over $25,000+ in cash and awards.

The International Show is the best-selling show of the year!

2026 Prospectus

Link to the 2026 46th International Exhibition Prospectus

It is crucial to read the entire Prospectus prior to entering. The International Exhibition Standards Committee reviews all accepted paintings for compliance. Failed paintings lead to disqualification, without refund.

All eligibility requirements including the allowed media, substrates, dates, and other important information are described in the Prospectus.

San Diego Watercolor Society Members should take note that these requirements are different from a monthly member show.

Link to the SDWS International Exhibition Framing Requirements

Learn about our Signature & Master Artist Membership Policy: accepted I-Show artists accrue eligibility (3-Signature, 10-Master Artist)

Key Dates

February 1: Call for Entry Opens online at www.sdws.org
May 8: Entry Deadline at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
June 8: Acceptance Notifications
July 13 – 24: Unframed shipped paintings due to Frugal Framer
July 20 - 24: Ready-to-hand shipped paintings due to Artworks
August 1 - 2: Hand-delivery paintings due to SDWS Gallery
September 26: First Look and Awards Gala (invite only)
September 27: Artists’ Breakfast / Exhibition Opens to Public 11 AM
October 2: First Friday public opening reception
October 31:Exhibition Closes 3 PM

Juror - Ana Laura Salazar

Master Artist, Ana Laura Salazar comes from a family of artists, inheriting her talent from her mother, Martha Orozco. Her artistic training, complemented by various workshops, prepared her to excel in the field of painting, particularly in the watercolor technique. She has been a member of the Mexican Society of Watercolorists since 1987. Throughout her career, she has showcased her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Mexico, Bulgaria, India, China and the US. Her paintings have earned national and international awards. Notably, receiving the Premio Tlacuilo multiple times at the National Watercolor Salon, organized by the National Watercolor Museum in Mexico City, as well as the Premio Tláloc, awarded by the Watercolor Museum of the State of Mexico.

Internationally, she has achieved significant recognition, including serving as a juror of the III International Youth Watercolor Festival held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 2025, being invited as a judge for the 2nd Kipus Bolivia Exhibition in 2024, being invited to 1st Qingdao International Watercolor Festival held in China in 2023, and winning first place in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) International Exhibition for two consecutive years 2018 & 2019.

Ana Laura’s artistic journey reflects a passion for watercolor and a commitment to promoting this technique through her acclaimed paintings and workshops. She is currently fully dedicated to the visual arts, teaching painting techniques in her private studio and is excited to serve as the 2026 SDWS 46th International Exhibition Juror.