History of LWS

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

1972Mrs. Carl C. Shaw
1974 – 1980Roma Quartana
1982Joey Freund Baechle
1983Betty F. Wood
1984Glemy Brazy
1985Phyllis Knight
1986 – 1987John Herbert Schaeffer
1988Janice C. Cartier
1989Nini Bodenheimer
1990 – 1991Raymond Calvert
1992 – 1993Christine Cozic
1994 – 1995Susan Copping
1996 – 1997William T. McInnis
1998 – 1999Louise H. Jordan
2000 – 2001Monica Bishara
2002Dr. Rosemary Kariker
2003John Brockhoeft
2004 – 2006Karen Stakelum
2007 – 2008Monica Bishara
2009 – 2010Jane Brown
2011 – 2012Philippa Gillen
2013Laura Mitchell
2014Veronica Thomas
2015 – 2016Karen Stakelum
2017 – 2018Louise Hansen
2019 – 2021Claudia LeJeune
2022Louise Hansen
Tracy Hebert
2023 – 2024Tracy Hebert