Exhibitions
General information - One of the important *benefits* of Membership in the New Mexico Watercolor Society is the opportunity to exhibit your work in juried exhibitions.
Four to Six Annual NMWS Juried Exhibitions (most are for members-only):
1) The NMWS ABQ Spring Exhibition, annually in May
2) The NMWS-SC Fall Exhibit (members only), annually - could be October, November, or December
3) The Masterworks of NM Exhibition in ABQ (members only), annually in April
4) The Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition (members only), annual but dates and venue vary throughout the Western region - rotational hosting by member societies,
We also offer non-juried "Alternate Spaces" shows in various venues around the state.
To prepare your images for Exhibition Entry - Recommended software for adjusting Image size: Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Preview, or other photo editing software. Go to Image Size or Adjust Size to make necessary adjustments. Save as highest quality jpg file.
If you don’t own those programs, ask a fellow member! Many artist FRIENDS will be willing to help and teach you how to process your images. There are also FREE photo editing programs available online. Check out and download:
a) https://convert.town to adjust your image to the 300 DPI, then SAVE the image before you go to the next step.
b) https://pixlr.com/e/ Just “Open Image”, go to “Page”, then "Resize Page” and type in “1200" in the box for width or height, whichever is greater for your painting. Click "Apply", then go to "FILE", and SAVE the image with the title name.
Alternative Presentation of Paintings:
Mounting on deep supports and shallow supports are accepted per the prospectus of each exhibit. To present paintings without framing with plexiglass, see these NMWS tools for guidance: 2021-08 TS_Varnishing a Watermedia Painting and Mat.pdf and video Varnishing Watercolor.
A. NMWS Exhibitions
New Mexico Watercolor Society Members are invited to participate in our annual shows, the ABQ Spring Exhibition and Southern Chapter Fall Exhibition, by submitting watercolor works for selection by our Guest Juror. In Albuquerque, the Juror also serves as the Guest Artist for our Spring ABQ Workshop. These Workshops and Exhibitions are held in Albuquerque, NM, typically at the Fine Arts Gallery at EXPO-NM (State Fairgrounds), and at various venues in Las Cruces, NM. In Las Cruces, there is an additional selection Judge who awards placement prizes.
The NMWS - Southern Chapter also hosts additional Exhibitions and Workshops in the Las Cruces area, some juried, some non-juried. See the HOME page for listings on the white Menu Bar under "Exhibitions" and "Workshops" or specific items listed under the Albuquerque and Northern NM Events or Las Cruces and Southern NM Events.
See this Document below for Future Reserved Dates for the ABQ Spring Exhibition at EXPO-NM
2022-06-15 EXPO WATERCOLOR RESERVATIONS THROUGH 2026 V2.0.pdf
Registration for most NMWS Exhibitions is Online with digital upload of images. For general instructions see link
2022-11_Show_Regist-Upload_Instructions.pdf
B. Masterworks of New Mexico
NMWS Members are also encouraged to submit watercolor works to the juried, annual Masterworks of New Mexico Exhibition, usually held in April, in Albuquerque, in the Hispanic Arts Building at the EXPO-NM (State Fairgrounds) Click on the link below to learn more about Masterworks of NM.
Masterworks of New Mexico website
2022-11_Show_Regist-Upload_Instructions.pdf
C. Western Federation of Watercolor Societies
Through our NM Watercolor Society WFWS Representative, Members are encouraged to submit watercolor paintings to the juried, annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition, held in a western city on a rotating basis.
WFWS 47 Prospectus 9-15-21.pdf
Click on the link below to learn more about WFWS.
About the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies
D. The NM Watercolor Society - Southern Chapter
Based in Las Cruces, NM, it serves the southern counties of NM and also the El Paso, TX area. It also hosts nonjuried exhibitions periodically, including the February "For the Love of Art" citywide celebration.
Please check the HOME page for current listings of available Exhibitions.
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NMWS Hanging Standards and Tips
Please read the NMWS Hanging Standards file below and see the photos below the file to learn and see more about acceptable painting hanging standard.
2019-02_NMWS_Hanging_Standards.pdf
Examples of Acceptable Finishes (5 upper images).
Metal frames with finished backs - A, B, C - sealed with tape or foam core insert, no exposed hardware.
Wood Frames with finished backs - D & E - sealed with brown paper dust covers
Pictured are photo examples of ACCEPTABLE vs UN-Acceptable Painting back finishes.
A B C
D E
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Examples of UN-Acceptable Finishes
Metal Frame - F - with springs exposed and gap between foam core and frame.
Wood Frames - G & H - masking tape over damaged cardboard or paper exposed staples, re-used and marred foam core.
F G H