The Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society was founded in 1983 with 17 Charter members and 24 Associate members. The original purpose to foster the advancement of and promote excellence in the art of watermedia painting remains our focus today. As of August 2023, 90 of our 170 members attained Signature status and 27 are Master Signature members. We are an IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization for members who reside on the west coast of Florida. Most of our members reside in Manatee and Sarasota counties, but a number of our members are in the northern counties of Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough - and the southern counties of Charlotte, Lee and Collier. As we begin to offer more virtual opportunities to exhibit, meet, and learn - our spread-out and diverse region is coming together in ways not dreamed of in our modest beginnings. 

Linda Wokoun, FSWS is President of Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society through May 2024. An award-winning artist and a frequent exhibitor with FSWS, FWS, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, she is also a popular workshop instructor throughout Florida. We are very fortunate to have a watermedia artist of Linda's caliber lead our organization during these post-COVID times. Her goals for the organization are to streamline our administrative functions and build on our organizational strength drawing from lessons learned while engaging more FSWS members and working more closely with other societies throughout Florida.

Jenny Medved, HWS, NWS, FWS, FSWS-M is the immediate past President of FSWS 2020-2021. She is a frequent exhibitor and an award- winning, nationally renowned artist. She led the organization through the difficult COVID-19 lock-down, a time that changed how we connected as an organization. She expanded our internet capability and communications network that allowed FSWS to find new ways of connecting during this unprecedented time. She streamlined the Exhibitions take-in process that is now a model process. Her innovative spirit is a big reason that our members continue to enjoy our regional Gulf Coast community of watermedia artists sharing our art and supporting each other.