NWWS is one of the most respected watercolor organizations in the U.S. Your membership brings many advantages, including events, education, exhibitions, support, and new friendships. Members of all skill levels appreciate these highlighted benefits and many others.

Our popular newsletter keeps you up to date and informed about workshops, opportunities to enter juried shows, profiles of members, details of upcoming programs and speakers, recognition of members' accomplishments, photographs and more. Many archived issues are available. Everyone loves Hot Press!

Watercolor, acrylics, and mixed watermedia are accepted into our exhibitions, encouraging a wide variety of artistic expression.

Each month, 10 artists may receive a critique from a carefully selected, highly qualified talented artist and instructor. Become a participating artist or simply join as an attendee to listen and learn from the best!

Eight times per year, you can meet visiting artists and watch them paint at our general meetings. By special invitation, well-known artists demonstrate various forms of watercolor painting techniques, new materials, and generously answer all questions. Note: during 2020 and until further notice, meetings are online webinars and still include paintings demonstrations and general business.

Twice yearly, you may be one of a limited number of attendees at a 4-day or 2-day painting workshop taught by a prominent, nationally known artist and instructor. As a member, you receive a discounted registration fee and first priority to attend these popular educational opportunities. Note: during 2020 and until further notice, workshops are taught online and specially tailored to NWWS members.

Receive a discounted entry fee for the prestigious NWWS Annual International Open Exhibition. Each autumn, this juried exhibition draws entries from around the world.

Enter the NWWS annual members exhibition, Waterworks, showcasing the work of NWWS members each spring.

You can participate in periodic group events through various open studios and plein air gatherings in summer and into the fall.

Held 3 times per year, members retreat for 4 days to the beautiful Skagit Valley to focus on painting, creating, sharing, excellent food, comradery, and other creative regeneration and exploration.

A large and ever growing library of over 300 instructional DVD's from accomplished watermedia artists is available at each general meeting to borrow, view, then return at the next meeting.

Although just beginning, only members have access to videos recorded for NWWS, to past critique sessions, and past general meeting recordings that would include painting demonstrations. Watch this feature grow!

Participate and sell your art in the Overlake Hospital Display (Bellevue, WA). Renewed with about 32 new paintings three times per year, 90% of the sale price goes to you and 10% of the proceeds benefit the Overlake Hospital Foundation.

Share your art, see the work of others, and be in touch with other members everyday through our energetic and supportive Facebook page. It is a private group, available only to members.

If you teach watercolor, your website may be listed on the NWWS website at no charge.

Members with a website receive a free listing on our website.

NWWS is continuously focused on the expansion of art education through our foundation, NWWF.

Events throughout the year connect you with other painters. We paint. We talk. We laugh. We love painting and having great fun together. And you do not have to be an artist to join. We welcome everyone!

Associate Members may apply for Signature Membership. Click here for Signature Membership information.

Signature Members may apply for Gold Medal Fellowship signature status. Click here for Gold Medal Fellowship information.