Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Recent News

Summer 2026 Newsletter: New members!

Jon Cooper — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:47:40 GMT

2026 PWS NEW MEMBERS

(since last newsletter)

Judy DeBoer
Terri Elliott
Nancy Gallagher
Antoinette Goldstein
Moshe Kutten

if a member has won a monetary award in one of our exhibitions we want to make sure and get the check to you.

Masthead

PWS Website: https://pawcs.com/

Please check the PWS website often for more in-depth information about PWS events, call-for-entries opportunities and workshops by other organizations. As information becomes available, it is immediately put on the website so not to miss deadlines. Guidelines for submitting a commercial ad in a limited space are also included in the above website. If you belong to an organization and would like to inform PWS members of your events, please send the information to: pwsmasterweb@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pawatercolorsociety

https://www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniawatercolorsociety

Lela C. King, President president@pawcs.com

Vacant, Vice President

Donna Barlup, Recording Secretary

Mary Rose Noto-Hardy, Treasurer

Anni Matsick, Membership

Pam Wenger, Members Online Show

Jon Cooper, Newsletter

Karen Reidy, Social Media

Jane Wise, Workshop

Kathie Cashion, Awards

Pam Neidig, Member at Large

Toni Felice, Member at Large

Sandy Rebert-Holbrook, Member at Large

Stacy Lund Levy, Member at Large

Beth Slagle, Member at Large

Summer 2026 Newsletter: Waterspots

Jon Cooper — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:40:17 GMT

Waterspots

Christine Alfery

From Christine’s solo exhibition, The Real, the Imagined, and Freedom. Campanile Center for the Arts, Campanile Gallery. Minocqua, WI.

Hawk III. San Diego Watercolor Society’s 46th International Exhibition. San Diego, CA.

Catherine Hillis

Catherine Hillis was selected to paint in the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival in Nova Scotia, CA during mid-June. Also, Hillis’ work is currently featured in 8 pages of International Artist Magazine, inThe Art of Watercolour and in PleinAir Magazine.

Anni Matsick

“Emerging” is one of 3 watercolor paintings by Anni Matsick among the 80 works by 60 artists chosen for 100 Miles: The 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition. The triennial runs 6/7-7/19 at Penn College in Williamsport, PA. Anni has one painting included in Biennial 2026 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Bedford, on display 7/24-10/18. Anni received First Place in Watercolor in the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 98th Juried Exhibition.

Summer 2026 Newsletter: News and Updates

Jon Cooper — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:27:34 GMT

Wishing you courage, curiosity, and a little watercolor magic.

Lela C. King (Chris)

President

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society is looking for a volunteer to assist our Social Media Chair!

We are seeking someone with social media experience who would enjoy helping promote PWS exhibitions, workshops, member activities, and opportunities within the watercolor community.

This is a creative and flexible volunteer role that may include:

• Assisting with Facebook and Instagram content

• Helping create or schedule posts

• Promoting exhibitions, workshops, and events

• Gathering images and information from members and chairs

• Helping increase engagement and visibility for PWS

Experience with social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram is preferred. Familiarity with Canva or simple graphic creation is a plus, but not required.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support the arts community, contribute your skills, and help PWS continue to grow and connect with artists across the region.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact:

info@pawcs.com

We would love to hear from you!

New Mailing List

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society

275 Cumberland Parkway, #306

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Membership Approval of Bylaw Amendments

The membership of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society voted to approve proposed amendments to the Society’s Bylaws during the official voting period held in April 2026.

Final certified results were as follows:

Total Votes Cast: 91

YES – Approve the Amendments: 84

NO – Do Not Approve the Amendments: 5

ABSTAIN: 2

Based on these results, the proposed amendments were approved by the membership and became effective May 1, 2026.

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Board of Directors extends its appreciation to all members who participated in the voting process and who continue to support the organization’s mission to encourage, promote, and enhance water media painting on paper through the education of the artist and the public.

Certified by:

Lela C. King, President

Donna Barlup, Secretary

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 47th Annual International Juried Exhibition, October 8 - November 19, 2026

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 47th Annual International Juried Exhibition, held online at www.pawcs.com, is open to all artists aged 18 and older. The exhibition runs from October 8 to November 19, 2026, with an entry deadline of August 15, 2026. Artists may submit one or two original, watermedia paintings completed within the last three years, provided they have not been previously accepted into a PWS exhibition. Entry fees are $40 for PWS members (using a member code) and $55 for non-members, with submissions processed through CallforEntry.org. Accepted works must be for sale, with a 35% commission payable to PWS upon sale, and artists are responsible for all sales transactions and shipping arrangements. See details at www.pawcs.com.

JUROR OF SELECTION

Chris Krupinski Chris is a Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society, Gold Signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America (Distinguished Master), Watercolor West (Master), and Elected member of Allied Artists, to name a few. She is the recipient of over 300 national and regional awards including the top award in the 2024, 2018, 2015, and 2013 Adirondacks Exhibition of American Watercolors, first in Alabama Watercolor Society 2024 and 2018, Best in Show in the Louisiana Watercolor Society 2025, Illinois Watercolor Society 2023, North East Watercolor Society in 2024 and 2019 and an award winner

in the 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2015, and 2013 American Watercolor Society Exhibitions. One of her paintings was selected as First Place in Splash 2024. Her painting was chosen as Best Still Life in Artist’s Magazine’s 2025 Annual competition and Third Place in 2026. Chris has been published in major watercolor publications and has been a featured artist in numerous leading national art magazines. Her work is included in numerous museum and private collections Internationally, Chris was selected as one of the "master painters" for the Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary International Watermedia Masters, November 2007, 2010, and 2012 in Nanjing, China. Chris was also selected for the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition in 2012. A painting was selected for the 2013-2014 Shenzhen Watercolour Biennial. Chris was an invitee to the 2018 Silk Road International Arts Festival at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China. She was selected for the 2024 Qingdao International Watercolor Grand Prix Exhibition and won 3rd place. She was invited to participate in the IWS biennial in Cappadocia, Turkey in 2014. Two paintings were shown in the 2014 Thailand Watermedia Exposition and two in the Taiwan 2016 International Exhibition. She has exhibited in the Invitational Watercolor Exhibition, Greece in 2014-2023, an award winner in 2023. She was invited to hang a painting in the Watercolor Masters Exhibition in Gouda, Holland in 2019 and 2023. Chris also was invited to hang paintings in “World of High Watercolor”, Moscow, Russia in 2019 and 2021. She exhibited watercolors in Monza In Acqurello (Italy), the “Festival Internationale Dell’ Acquarello” in 2020 and 2021.

JUROR OF AWARDS

Carrie Walker is a watercolor artist working in a realistic, detailed style. Her studies in Interior Design and Graphic Design as well as her time spent living in Europe and Asia have influenced her as an artist. Carrie currently works from her Arkansas studio after recently moving back from Tokyo, Japan where she resided for over 8 years. Her unique works are bold, vibrant and dramatic. Carrie has won numerous awards and has been published in many publications including the Watercolor Artist Magazine, The Art of Watercolor, Pratique des Arts, Artist's and Illustrators, International Artist’s Magazine, American Art Collector, Southwest Artist’s Magazine and Splash, The Best of Watercolor series, 14 and 16 through 27. Her works have exhibited all over the world most recently at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Kyoto Kyocera Museum, and the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum. She has also exhibited in Thessaloniki, Greece, Fabriano, Italy, Santa Marta, Colombia, London, England, Shenzhen, China, Brussels, Belgium, and the Salmagundi Club, New York. Carrie won the $10,000 Grand Prize in the American Women Artist's 2020 Museum Competition. She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Louisiana Watercolor Society - Master, Mid-Southern Watercolorists and the Watercolor Honor Society. She teaches workshops, online and in person and is an ambassador for Daniel Smith Watercolors. Carrie is currently the Vice President and Awards Director for the National Watercolor Society.

Spring 2026 Newsletter: New members!

Jon Cooper — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:40:46 GMT

2026 PWS NEW MEMBERS

(since last newsletter)

Al Sikora
Anne Crown-Cyr
Annika Farmer
Candace Cobb
Dana Wiggins Thompson
David Botkin
Dianne Adams
Eva Lu Damianos
Glenda Keyes
Hui Wang
Jeannie Fry
Judy DeBoer
Jules Hull
Juliette Watts
Ken Junkins
Kevin Wolford
Li Linn
Pamela Lynch
Rick Mock
Robert Kraszewski
Robert Newell
Robert Steedman
Sarah Anderson
Sharon Christian

MEMBERS! Please be sure all of your contact information is correct on your online profile, including your address, phone number, and email address (and don’t forget your birthday!). Up-to-date information is important because if a member has won a monetary award in one of our exhibitions we want to make sure and get the check to you.

Spring 2026 Newsletter

Jon Cooper — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:29:17 GMT

Editor's note You’ll see a few changes in this edition, starting with the format itself! To streamline our delivery, we’re moving away from PDFs. Moving forward, you can find our latest updates published directly as blog posts on our website. Don't worry, though, the great content will remain exactly the same, thanks to the awesome submissions from our members! Best, Jon

President's message

Dear Members,

When I sit down to paint, what I love most about watercolor is the sense of discovery. Regardless of how carefully we plan, the medium always reminds us that unpredictability can lead to something beautiful.

That spirit of discovery is what makes the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society such a special community. Like many of you, I was initially drawn to watercolor by the interaction of light, color, and water. Over time, I have realized that the true gift of belonging to PWS is the opportunity to learn from one another—observing how fellow artists solve problems, approach subjects, or capture fleeting moments.

Before my life in art, I served in the Army, where leadership meant careful planning and teamwork to meet challenges. In watercolor, I have learned a different lesson: sometimes the most beautiful results occur when we allow the paint and water to take the lead.

Our members represent an incredible range of styles and voices, yet we share a common love for this challenging and rewarding medium. As we move into the coming year, I look forward to seeing the work you create, celebrating your accomplishments, and continuing to build a welcoming community for watercolorists across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Spring is a wonderful reminder of why we paint—new light, fresh color, and the quiet return of life to the landscape. I hope the coming months bring you inspiration, ample time at the easel, and the joy of watching water and pigment create something unexpected.

Lela C. King (Chris)

President

Wishing you courage, curiosity, and a little watercolor magic.

A special thank you to Linda Young

We wanted to send a huge, heartfelt thank you for your incredible leadership as President of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society. Working alongside you on the Board of Directors has been such a privilege for all of us, and your dedication to our community of artists has truly left a lasting mark.

Your energy, vision, and tireless efforts have done so much to elevate PWS and support our members. It’s no small feat to keep an organization like ours thriving, but you managed it with grace, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for the medium we all love. You’ve set a wonderfully high bar, and the positive momentum you’ve built will continue to benefit us for years to come.

While we will certainly miss having you at the helm, we are so excited for you to get some well-deserved time back, hopefully to spend more of it in the studio with your own paints!

Thank you again for everything, Linda. Your hard work has meant the world to all of us, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to have learned from your leadership.

A Special Thank You to Jeannine Swartz

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society extends heartfelt appreciation to Jeannine as she steps down from her role as Annual Exhibition Chairman. Her organization, attention to detail, and steady leadership have been instrumental in the continued success and strong reputation of our Annual International Juried Exhibition.

Behind every successful exhibition is an enormous amount of planning, coordination, and quiet dedication. Jeannine brought all of this — and more — to the role, ensuring that artists, volunteers, and audiences experienced exhibitions that truly reflected the best of PWS.

On behalf of the Board and our members, thank you, Jeannine, for your commitment, professionalism, and the lasting impact you have made on the Society. We are deeply grateful for your service.

Staying Connected: New Email address for PWS

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen how the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society operates behind the scenes, we are making an important improvement to our email communications.

You’ll begin to see more messages coming from @pawcs.com email addresses—and most importantly, we now have a central point of contact:

info@pawcs.com

This is the best way to reach the Society moving forward.

Why the change?

Like many volunteer organizations, we’ve historically relied on personal email accounts that change hands as volunteers rotate through roles. That can make it difficult to keep track of information, respond consistently, and ensure smooth transitions from one volunteer to the next.

By moving to shared, role-based email addresses:

Messages won’t get lost during leadership transitions
Multiple volunteers can help monitor and respond when needed
Society records and conversations stay organized in one place

For you as a member, this should feel simple: If you’re not sure who to contact, just email info@pawcs.com and your message will get to the right person.

You may still see familiar names responding—but behind the scenes, we’re building a more stable and sustainable system to support the Society’s work.

This is one of many small steps we’re taking to strengthen PWS for the future while keeping things easy and accessible for our members.

As always, thank you for being part of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society.

Our Members Shine in the 2026 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Show

Congratulations to all PWS members who took part in this year’s show! Our 2026 show features 179 pieces from 102 artists and represents our diverse and talented membership. View the list of award winners and see entire show at https://pawcs.com/online-member-2026

Here are the award winners:

1st Place - Eileen Sudzina - Morning Traffic Jam

2nd Place - Jean Gill - To And Froconuts

3rd Place - Pam Wenger - Camouflage
4th Place - Hui Wang - Still Tides at Dusk
5th Place - Lana Privitera - Homage to Artisans

Honorable Mention

William Perry - Hint of Spring
William Vrscak - Lawrenceville
Z Feng - Morning Creek
Laurie Goldstein-Warren - Street Art
Annie Strack - Into Darkness
Cheri Keller - Diane and Cassie
Stacy Lund Levy - Ladies, Ladies, Ladies
Cheryl Emo - Blue
Robert Steedman - David’s Dock
Robert Kraszewski - Narcissus

Our juror of awards, Kim Johnson, had this to say about the show:

"Your society has sooo many wonderful artists and the paintings they submitted are outstanding!! So many more deserved awards! I chose awards based on composition, color use, originality, and creativity. I found this group to have many that fit these qualities, which made it very difficult to choose the award winners. Congratulations to all in the show, it’s a beautiful showing of the talent of the artists in your society. Thank you for trusting and honoring me with this challenging task."

Waterspots

Anni Matsick

Two paintings by Anni Matsick, “Waves” and “We are the Honey Bees”,have been accepted in the 2026 Watercolor USA exhibit on display May 30-July 25 at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, MO.

Two of Anni’s paintings are included in the Watercolor Honor Society’s 2026 Watercolor Now! exhibit in Kenosha, WI. The show runs April 5-May 25 at the Anderson Arts Center.

Annie Strack

Annie Strack, PWS, had paintings juried into the 49th Southern Watercolor Society Exhibition and the Western Federation Watercolor Society 51st National Juried Exhibition, and she was Judge of Awards for the Philadelphia Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition.

Christine Alfery

Be Different and Your Inner Compass. Covered & Kept is an online Virtual Reality (VR) exhibition.
She Is A Creative. Abstract National Exhibition at Marks Arts. The Gladys and Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery. Wichita, Kansas.
Different Journeys. National Online Showcase ’26 presented by the Watercolor Society of Alabama.
Intersections. 2026 National Juried Exhibition. Georgia Watercolor Society. Carrollton Center for the Arts in Carrollton, GA.

Sue Marrazzo

Participating Art Shows:

"Making Your Mark," an online juried show 2026 / multi-media; Rhode Island Watercolor Society; View at http://www.riws.com
"Making our Marks," International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA) 12th Annual Members Only Online Exhibit, 2026.
"I Touch the Future," Instructor's Exhibition at CALC-Carlisle Arts Learning Center, Jan.2026.
I showed 4 works of Art; www.carlislearts.org
"Utterly Profound," Online Juried Show 2025; International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA); I earned my Nautilus Fellow (NF) with this acceptance. View this beautiful show at http://www.iseaart.smugmug.com

Susanna Anastasia

Susanna Anastasia, Elected Member 's painting,"Black Bird" is accepted into The Monmouth County Museum 's 46th Annual Juried Exhibition. Her painting is on view from March 15 to May 10 ,2026.

Susanna Anastasia's watercolor, "Master Class" was accepted into the Ridgewood Art Institute,

Ridgewood, N. J.Exhibition is on view until March 22, 2026.

Upcoming Member Vote on Proposed Bylaws Amendments

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Board of Directors has approved forwarding several proposed amendments to the Society’s bylaws to the membership for ratification.

These amendments are intended to align the bylaws with the Society’s current board structure and improve governance efficiency as the organization continues to grow.

Summary of proposed changes:

• Update the Board quorum requirement from two-thirds to a simple majority

• Remove the Video Library Chair position

• Remove the Historian position

• Add five Members-at-Large to the Board of Directors

Members will receive an email when voting opens, along with a link to review the proposed amendments and cast their vote.

Members are encouraged to review the proposed amendments when they are posted on the Society website prior to the opening of the vote.

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Recent News

Summer 2026 Newsletter: New members!

2026 PWS NEW MEMBERS

(since last newsletter)

Masthead

Summer 2026 Newsletter: Waterspots

Waterspots

Christine Alfery

Catherine Hillis

Anni Matsick

Summer 2026 Newsletter: News and Updates

The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society is looking for a volunteer to assist our Social Media Chair!

New Mailing List

Membership Approval of Bylaw Amendments

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 47th Annual International Juried Exhibition, October 8 - November 19, 2026

JUROR OF SELECTION

JUROR OF AWARDS

Spring 2026 Newsletter: New members!

2026 PWS NEW MEMBERS

(since last newsletter)

Spring 2026 Newsletter

President's message

A special thank you to Linda Young

A Special Thank You to Jeannine Swartz

Staying Connected: New Email address for PWS

Our Members Shine in the 2026 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Show

Waterspots

Anni Matsick

Annie Strack

Christine Alfery

Sue Marrazzo

Susanna Anastasia

Upcoming Member Vote on Proposed Bylaws Amendments

Winter 2026 Newsletter

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