  | INSPIRING WATERMEDIA ARTISTS FOR OVER 40 YEARS |
SUNCOAST EXHIBITIONS
FALL ONLINE EXHIBITION 2026 CALL for ENTRIES: Sun October 11 to Sun November 8 at 5PM NOTIFICATION of ACCEPTANCE: Fri Nov 20 ARTIST AWARDS RECEPTION - TBA First Congregational United Church of Christ - 1031 South Euclid Ave, Sarasota - EXHIBITION JUROR - DYLAN PIERCE |
Note to our members: We are in the process of updating this Suncoast Exhibitions page. We hope to have work completed soon. Thank you for your patience! If you need a question answered, contact Ruth HERE
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PAST EXHIBITS 2025-2026 SUNCOAST EXHIBITIONS 2024-2025 SUNCOAST EXHIBITIONS 2023-2024 SUNCOAST EXHIBITIONS EARLIER EXHIBITIONS | AWARDS & POINTS (2026 Fall Online Exhibition ONLY) First Place $500 5 points Second Place $400 4 points Third Place $300 3 points Technical Merit $200 2 points 6 Honorable Mentions $50 1 point each Honorable Mention Categories* Still Life/Floral, Portrait/Figure, Water Scenes Animals/Wildlife, Landscapes/City Scapes Abstract/Nonrepresentational *An award will only be made when there are 3 or more entries in a category. |
SIGNATURE and MASTER SIGNATURE STATUS We want our members to feel valued within our organization and award Signature Membership after they have been accepted into two Suncoast exhibitions. This Signature status is not affected by how many paintings are accepted into those first shows. In addition we recognize the sustained commitment of our members by awarding Master Signature status once they have accumulated 25 points. To achieve this, one point is awarded for each painting accepted into an exhibit. Additional points are earned for any awards a member receives. The point allocation for awards may vary slightly for each exhibit. A typical points allocation for our exhibits is listed below. Suncoast updates a member's point status after each exhibit. That status can be checked by going to your personal profile in the Members section of the website. Common Prize and Point Allocation for Suncoast Awards: 1st PLACE $500 (5 points), 2nd PLACE $400 (4 points) 3rd PLACE $300 (3 points), TECHNICAL MERIT $100 (2 points) HONORABLE MENTION $50 (1 point) |
EXHIBITIONS FAQ
AQUEOUS: What does that mean?
‘Aqueous’ refers to opaque water media such as acrylic and gouache. ‘Transparent’ refers to traditional transparent watercolor. In some exhibitions, we provide a Transparent Award which only the transparent watercolor paintings are eligible for. See our PROSPECTUS for details about the water media we accept in exhibitions.
Liquid Watercolor: Some manufacturers advertise their product as liquid watercolor, but many are dye or ink based, not watercolor pigment. When purchasing, always check the detailed description, and look for those which indicate they are pigment based. Dyes are vibrant and fade quickly under UV exposure such as with window sunlight which cause dyes to disappear within several months. Dyes can permanently stain the paper and prevent techniques like lifting or layering. Because most dye-based products are fugitive, watercolor artists need art supplies to be lightfast and archival for wall display. The only current manufacturers of pigment based liquid watercolor include Schmincke's Aqua Drop and PH Martin's Hydrus product line. Both indicate they are pigment based.
What are the exhibition rules about ORIGINALITY?
Our mission is to promote excellence in water media. All entries in our exhibitions must be your own original creative artwork. Please see our PROSPECTUS for our current rules defining originality as well as all other eligibility requirements.
Can I enter my painting in multiple exhibits?
Once a painting has been accepted into one Suncoast juried exhibition, that painting will not be accepted in any future Suncoast juried exhibition. Of course you may enter that work in exhibits arranged by other organizations. For in-person shows, please check that the dates do not conflict with other shows you are entering!
Must my painting be for sale to enter it in an exhibition?
Generally no, you may list your work as Not For Sale. However this is up to the venue in which we arrange for space. Sale vs NFS rules will be listed in the call for entry.
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Email us at Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society [FSWS] is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free 1-800-help-fla) or from the website: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State of Florida. Registration #CH73752 |