The Northwest Watercolor Foundation is a 501c(3) nonprofit arm of the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) and supports emerging young visual artists by providing financial awards to committed, deserving students.

Established in the early 1990s, the NWWF Scholarship and Barbara Pitts Award has been presented annually to an outstanding and promising art student. The amount to be awarded in 2023 will be $3,500.

Full-time undergraduate art majors, including graduating college seniors, enrolled in an accredited community college or university in Washington, Oregon or Idaho and working in a variety of two-dimensional media are eligible for the Foundation’s annual NWWF Scholarship and Barbara Pitts Award.

Students are required to submit an application, five examples of their best work (other than computer or photography), a descriptive list of images submitted, a signed and sealed letter of recommendation on school letterhead from a faculty member, a photo of the student, and both an artist’s statement and biography. All materials except the letter of recommendation should be submitted on-line. The application and instructions are available on this website via the link below.

Students who have demonstrated a desire to continue their studies and complete their degree are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. This is an excellent opportunity for students to write an artist’s statement and make image submissions in a professional manner. We look forward to receiving the applications.

If there are any questions relating to the Scholarship or if you would like posters or applications for yourself or your college or university, please feel free to contact the NWWF Scholarship and Barbara Pitts Award Chairperson: Ann Breckon at annbreckon@gmail.com or call 425-644-4245.

Please consider contributing to the Northwest Watercolor Foundation program or directly to the scholarship. We gladly accept contributions, gifts, and bequests which will be administered and used in accordance to the specific purposes and mission of the NWWF: to assist, encourage, promote and advance the visual arts in the Pacific Northwest with particular emphasis on watercolor media and to provide scholarships to students to further the study of art and to conduct educational activities.

All donations are tax deductible. Thank you very much for your support!