56th Annual International Exhibition

Matthew Bird Workshop: May 12 – 14, 2026

Awards & Reception: May 16, 2026

Digital Submission Deadline: February 14, 2026

Juror of Selection and Judge of Awards

Matthew Bird, AWS, NWS

Matthew Bird Workshop

May 12 – May 14, 2026

9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily

American Legion Post 397
1225 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123

Workshop Chair: Carol Creel, LWS Email Carol

Exhibition Location

Place St. Charles
201 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70170

In the heart of downtown New Orleans, one block from the French Quarter, the first floor of this one million square-foot skyscraper features a food court, two restaurants, retail shops, and the LWS International Exhibition.

Exhibition Eligibility Requirements

The Louisiana Watercolor Society accepts original, water-based paintings on paper or panels prepared to accept water media.

Original

• Paintings must have been completed after January 1, 2023. We are not obliged to notify the artist of works that are submitted outside the acceptable timeframe.
• No painting or duplicate painting may be submitted to another exhibition – in-person or virtual — that overlaps with any part of the LWS Exhibit.
• Paintings must be the sole work of the artist; they cannot be completed in workshops or classes or under supervision.
• No copies of another artist’s work are allowed.
• Only original two-dimensional hand-painted entries are allowed: No photographs, photocopies, prints, giclées, or work generated/assisted by artificial intelligence (AI).
• If photo references are used, the photo must have been taken by the artist.
• No work previously shown in any prior LWS international exhibition is allowed.
• No work other than the accepted work may be submitted.
• Artists who violate the originality rules may be banned from entering any LWS competition for a period of two years.

Water-based

• Watercolor is the preferred medium.
• Acrylic, casein, gouache, water-based ink, and egg tempera are allowed if used in the style of watercolor without any impasto (i.e., paint build-up). Water-soluble oils are not allowed.

Substrates

• Acceptable substrates are natural or synthetic paper, or panels prepared to accept water media.
• Substrates must be two-dimensional only – no collage, paint buildup, glued-on items, etc. that raise the surface.
• No other surfaces are accepted.

Framing

• All works must be framed and EITHER 1) under clear plexiglass or other framing-grade acrylic OR 2) finished with archival quality sealant.
• Cradled board is an acceptable frame.
• Wire and screw-eye or D-ring must be attached for hanging.
• Frames, if used, must be neutral in color (see further details here).
• Mats, if used, must be white or off-white.
• Diptychs and triptychs must be in a single frame.
• Minimum image size is 8″ X 10″.
• Maximum frame size is 45″ in any direction.
• Maximum framed weight is 15 pounds.

Information

Calendar

Entries due	February 14, 2026
List of accepted paintings posted online	March 9, 2026
Unframed shipped work due	April 10, 2026
Framed shipped work due	April 20, 2026
Hand-delivered work due, 9:00 – 10:30 am	May 2, 2026
Exhibit opens	May 4, 2026
Matthew Bird workshop	May 12 – 14, 2026
Awards & Reception, 2:00 – 4:00 pm	May 16, 2026
Last day of exhibit	May 22, 2026
Pick-up hand-delivered paintings, 9:00 – 11:00 am	May 23, 2026

Awards

First Place	$2500
Second Place	$1000
Third Place	$700

Additional cash and merchandise awards, total estimated at $9000 in prizes.

Fees

	Members	Non-Members
One Entry	$30	$50
Two Entries	$40	$55
Three Entries	$45	$60

All entry fees are non-refundable.

Non-members may pay member entry fees now by joining LWS for the 2026 annual membership rate of $40.

Sales

There is a 30% commission on all works sold between March 9, 2026 and June 22, 2026. This includes the acceptance date, during the exhibit, and 30 days after.

Taxation

• U.S. residents who receive $600 or more in cash awards and/or sales must complete a Form W-9 and will receive a Form 1099 in January 2027. U.S. residents will be paid via check for cash awards or sales.
• For non-U.S. residents, withholding tax will be made from awards in accordance with U.S. tax laws and any existing tax treaty with the entrant’s country of residence. Due to tax withholding, awards will be cash awards only and not gift certificates. No withholding tax is required on proceeds of a sold painting that was painted outside of the U.S. Payments to non-U.S. residents will be made via wire transfer.

Signature Membership

• Signature status is granted to members after acceptance in three International Exhibitions, provided annual dues have been paid continuously since the first acceptance.
• Master Signature status (LWS-M) is granted to members after acceptance in ten International Exhibitions, provided annual dues have been paid continuously since the first acceptance.

Questions

Direct questions to the Exhibition Chair, Melanie Long, Email Melanie.

Accepted Entries

A list of accepted artists will be posted on the LWS website by March 9, 2026. Accepted artists will be notified by email.

Each exhibiting artist will receive one complimentary catalog. Additional catalogs will be available for $10 each.

Detailed instructions for each of the following delivery options will be sent to accepted artists.

• Hand-delivered framed paintings ready for hanging must be brought to Place St. Charles between 9:00 – 10:30 am on May 2, 2026. The administrative fee for hand-delivered paintings is $20.
• Shipped framed paintings must arrive by April 20, 2026. The artist must pay shipping costs to and from the exhibit. LWS will provide storage, handling, and services of a professional packing company for return shipping. Exhibitors will be charged a $65 administrative fee for this service.
• Frame rental service is available to artists from outside the continental US and Canada. The fee of $200 USD includes frame rental from a professional frame shop, delivery to/from the exhibit, handling fee, and return shipping in your mailing tube. Unframed paintings must arrive no later than April 10, 2026.

Release of Liability

• Although the utmost care will be taken in handling works of art, LWS and/or LWS’s representatives, Place St. Charles, Daryl and Sons Custom Framing, and A-Plus Shipping Inc. will not be responsible for damage or loss, whatever the cause. Accepted artists release LWS, LWS’s representatives, Place St. Charles, Daryl and Sons Custom Framing, and A-Plus Shipping Inc. from all liability with respect to loss or damage to the artist’s works of art. It is suggested that artists carry their own insurance, in proper limits. Artists shipping their paintings must retain a copy of their shipper’s name and tracking number.
• Submitting a work of art to this exhibition shall constitute an agreement on the part of the artist to comply fully with the conditions and terms set forth in this Prospectus as well as in the Acceptance Notice.
• By entering, you agree that LWS assumes the reproduction rights of paintings in the exhibit for display on louisianawatercolorsociety.org, in the LWS catalog, on social media platforms, and for promotion of the LWS International Exhibit.

Entry

• Artists may submit up to 3 paintings.
• Entries are submitted digitally in JPG format.
• File size cannot exceed 5 MB.
• JPGs must be at least 1200 pixels on either side.
• JPGs must be cropped to show only the image – no frame or mat, and must be oriented correctly (vertical or horizontal).
• Entries may be disqualified if incorrectly formatted.