The Louisiana Watercolor Society, founded in 1968, exists to advance the art of painting with water media.
While watercolor has always been the preferred medium, the members recognize advances in the art world related to other water media and substrates. LWS now accepts works casein, acrylic, gouache, and egg tempera, as well as synthetic and natural papers and Aquabord or Claybord in its member and international exhibits.
The Society’s purpose is to educate its members, provide a venue for the exhibit of watercolor paintings, bring the medium of watercolor to the attention of the public, and build a community of artists who support and encourage one another.
In 2024, LWS has about 250 members representing 30 states and 8 countries (Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, France, Greece and Malaysia, and the United States).
LWS hosted our 54th Annual International Exhibition in 2024 with 122 paintings juried in from a total of 350 submitted by 168 artists. The International Exhibition is designed to draw attention to our local art network within the international art community. In addition to the International Exhibition, LWS sponsors three members shows a year.
View catalogs of past international exhibits at International Exhibition Catalogs.
Past Presidents
1972 | Mrs. Carl C. Shaw |
1974 – 1980 | Roma Quartana |
1982 | Joey Freund Baechle |
1983 | Betty F. Wood |
1984 | Glemy Brazy |
1985 | Phyllis Knight |
1986 – 1987 | John Herbert Schaeffer |
1988 | Janice C. Cartier |
1989 | Nini Bodenheimer |
1990 – 1991 | Raymond Calvert |
1992 – 1993 | Christine Cozic |
1994 – 1995 | Susan Copping |
1996 – 1997 | William T. McInnis |
1998 – 1999 | Louise H. Jordan |
2000 – 2001 | Monica Bishara |
2002 | Dr. Rosemary Kariker |
2003 | John Brockhoeft |
2004 – 2006 | Karen Stakelum |
2007 – 2008 | Monica Bishara |
2009 – 2010 | Jane Brown |
2011 – 2012 | Philippa Gillen |
2013 | Laura Mitchell |
2014 | Veronica Thomas |
2015 – 2016 | Karen Stakelum |
2017 – 2018 | Louise Hansen |
2019 – 2021 | Claudia LeJeune |
2022 | Louise Hansen Tracy Hebert |
2023 – 2024 | Tracy Hebert |