2025 48th Annual National Exhibition
A Note from the Society
September 15, 2025
The South Carolina Watermedia Society has recently identified works in the National Exhibition that did not meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the prospectus. In keeping with those rules, the artists involved have been notified, their works have been removed from the Exhibition, and they have been
suspended from participating in SCWS competitions during 2026 and 2027.
While this outcome is disappointing, our responsibility is to uphold the standards of the prospectus to ensure fairness and integrity in every exhibition. We remain committed to supporting all of our artists and fostering a community built on respect, transparency, and fair competition.
SCWS is dedicated to protecting the interests of all artists and the integrity of competition. To strengthen this commitment, the Board is reviewing the prospectus to refine and clarify its guidelines. In addition, the Society has created a new Board position–the Compliance Review Chairman–whose sole responsibility will be to review entries for adherence to the prospectus. We are pleased to announce that this role will be filled by Mr. Lee Monts of Columbia.
Award Winning Artists
Enjoy looking through the National Exhibition LookBook, which showcases the award winning pieces selected by judge Alexis Lavine! The LookBook will be posted following the September 12th opening and will remain available for one year.
Accepted Artists
SCWS excitedly congratulates the following artists on their acceptance to the 2025 National Exhibition:
Artists are listed alphabetically by last name.
Suzanne Accetta, Victoria Alger, Joanne Anderson, Sharon Anderson, Gina Noelle Ash, Jefferson Ron Boozer, Frankie Bush, Gina Buzby, Ingrid Carson, Kathy Caudill, Dale Cochran, Rosie Coleman, Gail Cunningham, Jackie Dorsey, Marie Echols, Renea Eshleman, Jeanie Everett, Donald Farrell, Z Feng, Nanette Fitzgerald, Steve Garner, Travis Hicks, Anne Hightower-Patterson, Catherine Hillis, Marian Hornsby, Mary Houser, Xiao Xing Hu, John James, Kie Johnson, Robert Jorns, Maura Kenny, Joshua Knight, Carole Knudson-Tinsley, Anita Laudone Harley, Stacy Lund Levy, Ron Malone, Constance Manley, Rebecca McDuffie, Lee Monts, Kathryn Morganelli, Al Morris, Wesa Neely, Mengjue Jessica Ni, McClain Percy, Susan Perry, Lisa Pope, Trish Poupard, Elizabeth Purcell, Marcia Pyner, Jill Hassall Rees, Nancy Seay, Rosemary Segreti, Mei Shu, Dana Thompson, Lizabeth Thompson, Junco Uras, Rachel Varner, Christine Walker, Gail Watson, Kathryn Wedge, Amber Weeks, and Lori Wilson
Accepted Works
47th National Exhibition
Welcome to SC Watermedia Society’s 47th Annual National Exhibition. We would like to thank the SC Arts Commission for making this exhibition a possibility, as this project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Included below is an Exhibition Award Winners’ LookBook and a virtual gallery of all pieces juried into this year’s exhibition by juror Ken Call. You can explore the pieces here online or in person at the Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Museum.
From the Judge, Ken Call
It has been a great honor to be invited as juror for the 47th Annual National Exhibition of the SCWS. There were many quality entries which made selecting the exhibition pieces and the award winners wuiate a challenge. It is refreshing to see such a variety of work using different water media, different styles and appraocjes-all displayed side-by-side. I take this moment to congratulate those whose work is diplayed and those awarded this year. I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the board members and volunteers wth SCWS who have made this show not only possible, but also succesful! Your labor helps elevate the art of watermedia artists in South Carolina as well as the nation.
It’s a cliche to say different judges will choose a different show, but it is indeed the truth. Art is personal; so is judging art. I don’t take this undertaking lightly. I first close the work that speaks to me intellectuall, emotionally, aesthetically. Once I narrowed down the selection, then I looked further at the mastery of the medium and the technical merit evident in the work. Last, but certianly not least, the creativity I find in the piece is very important to my final selection and award determination.
About the Juror
Born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois, Ken went on to graduate from the American Academy of Art in 1980 with an associate degree in illustration and Watercolor. He has worked as a a national freelance artist for many years and spent 1993 and 1994 studying and painting in Paris, France. He now lives in Northbrook Illinois with his wife and two children.
After beginning his career as a studio artist, he soon branched out on his own, starting a successful freelance career, which to date has led to the creation of over 500-illustrations for books, magazine, art publishers, advertising agencies and corporation. In the last few years, Ken has made the transition to fine art and portraiture. Many of his originals are hanging in galleries and homes across the country. Several awards have led to Signature status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, Montana Watercolor Society along with being a Master Signature member with the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and Illinois Watercolor Society.
