Call Name: South Carolina Watermedia Society: 46th National Exhibition

 

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

Open to all artists who are 18 years or older. Juror: JJ Jiang –  https://www.jjjiang.com

Entry submission deadline: May 1, 2023

Entry Fee: $60 and an additional piece for $20. SCWS members may enter their first piece for free. A coupon code will be sent to all active members on March 23. Any artists joining after March 23 will receive a coupon code upon receipt of membership dues. Entry fees are paid via credit card at the time of submission on CaFE.

 

LONG DESCRIPTION:

Since its founding in 1977, the South Carolina Watermedia Society (SCWS) has strived to promote the artistic and professional interests of its members as well as provide visual arts programs and education opportunities to the public. Each year, the Annual Exhibition is held in a location in the state of South Carolina. It is a high-caliber, juried exhibition that draws national participation and acclaim. Artwork is selected by a professional juror. 2023 is the 46th year of the existence of the SCWS!

 2023 SCWS National Exhibition Timeline

March 15: Official prospectus published & workshop registration opens on SCWS website

March 23: Call for entries opens on CaFE

May 1: Entry deadline. No entries will be accepted after this date.

June 4: SCWS sends notification to artists whose work is accepted into the exhibit. 

July 18 Artists deliver accepted entries 

August 2 SCWS sends notification to award winners (but not specific awards).

August 3, 4, 5: JJ Jiang teaches workshop at Pickens County Museum 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, limited to 15 participants. 

August 5: Show opens to the public with announcement of awards and opening reception, 5:00PM

October 6: Exhibition closes

Oct 9 – Oct 20: Artists may collect their work. Traveling show pieces remain in the museum’s possession.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Works must be:

    • Original (not derived from another’s intellectual property or copyrighted references).
    • Painted after May 1, 2020
    • Not previously displayed in a SCWS Exhibition.
    • Created on any surface that will allow framing (required unless work is created on a canvas with finished edges or gallery wrapped).
    • Wired and ready for hanging and framed with framed dimensions specified. Mats (if used) must be white, off-white, or pale grey. 
    • Maximum size is 48” in either direction, including the frame. Maximum depth (with frame) is 2 and 3/4” and maximum weight is 25 lbs.
    • Plexiglas/acrylic 1/8” glazing (glass is not permitted) must be used for all pieces on paper or paper-like products unless the work is sealed/varnished on a panel or other rigid surface.
  • Frames must be a maximum 2 and 3/4” wide flat-face “museum style” unadorned natural wood (dark, light, etc., such as maple, cherry, oak, mahogany). However, no WHITE (EVEN WOOD) OR METAL FRAMES WILL BE ACCEPTED.  

Fees

The non-refundable entry fee is $60 for one entry. First entry of a paid member is included in the membership fee. A coupon code was sent to all active members on April 30. Second entry is $20. 

Artists must pay an additional handling fee of $25 for pieces shipped. Detailed instructions for shipping and delivery will be provided in the acceptance notification and guidelines.

 

ELIGIBILITY:

Qualifying Media

  • All entries must be executed in watermedia. Watercolor, acrylic, gouache, etc., are acceptable. Collage is acceptable; however, the painting must be primarily painted.  NO oils or water soluble oils will be accepted.
  • Pickens County Museum is a family-friendly venue and a destination for school children from across the state. Artists are encouraged to be mindful of the Museum’s core audience when submitting work for the exhibition.
  • Students who wish to join the Society in the student category (high school and college through age 25) must provide a photocopy of an OFFICIAL school identification to join as a regular member at the student rate of $45. Student entries must be original from concept to completion, executed EXCLUSIVELY by the student (not under the supervision of an instructor).

Application Submission

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE. RULES AND TERMS TO APPLY:

Accepted Artwork 

  • Artists whose work is selected for exhibition will receive instructions for shipping and delivery in the acceptance notification and guidelines. 
  • Work accepted will be displayed in the SCWS Annual Exhibition.
  • Only one painting may be accepted from an individual artist. 
  • No substitutions of artwork can be made after acceptance. 
  • No changes can be made to price, title, or dimensions after acceptance. 
  • SCWS and PCMAH reserve the right to reject any painting that, upon arrival at the Gallery, the juror deems is significantly altered or different from the digital photo submitted for entry to the Exhibition. 
  • Artists may want to use professional photographers for images of work.
  • SCWS reserves the right to return paintings deemed unacceptable or in breach of the rules in the presentation of framing and/or mats. 
  • Artists must loan their artwork to the Museum for the entire duration of the exhibition.
  • SCWS will request a bio and/or artist statement from each applying artist.
  • SCWS will contact accepted artists with instructions for artwork delivery and drop-off 

Declining to Submit Artwork

  • Not sending accepted paintings to the Exhibition will subject the artist to a three-year penalty during which time the artist will not be allowed to participate in the SCWS Exhibition. 

Liability 

  • Accepted artists release and hold harmless SCWS, sponsoring or participating organizations, directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any responsibility, personal liability, claims, loss, theft, or damage arising out of or in conjunction with their participation. It is suggested that artists carry their own insurance in proper limits. 

Artist Responsibility and Sales

  • Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work, withdraw the work once it has been accepted, or remove it during the exhibition. 
  • While the juror has the final responsibility to select the exhibition and awards, SCWS and Pickens County Museum reserve the right to reject any work deemed inappropriate. 
  • By submitting a painting to this exhibition, the artist accepts all conditions as set forth in this prospectus. 
  • If a painting sells, the artist understands that there is a 30% commission to SCWS.
  • Artists give SCWS permission to photograph and videotape entries and use images for educational or promotional purposes across a variety of platforms including, but not limited to, social media and the society’s own website.

 Traveling Show 

In the application process, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia artists will indicate if their piece is available for traveling. After the exhibition is selected, a designated group of jurors will select the traveling show from pieces that were indicated as eligible for traveling. 

Works selected for traveling will become part of the SC State Museum’s 2024 state-wide traveling show. The traveling show is sponsored and organized by the SC State Museum. Work in the traveling exhibit will be available for pick up at the end of the itinerary. Details will be provided by the State Museum.

Paintings included in the traveling show that are sold will be released to the buyer at the end of the traveling show, date TBA.

Publicity 

SCWS reserves the right to photograph and duplicate works for catalog, internet, and publicity purposes. Every effort will be made for attribution of work provided to the SCWS Annual Exhibition.

​Juror: JJ Jiang

JJ’s childhood was spent in China during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).  During that era of madness, drawing, writing and reading poetry kept him safe and sane, and shielded him from the chaotic world outside.  Drawing and painting have become inseparable parts of JJ’s life.  They came to him naturally (and early) and have helped shape his view of the world and himself to a large degree.

 JJ was trained as an architect and architectural historian with professional degrees from both the US and China.  He practiced architecture as well as taught architectural design and history. As a fine artist, JJ draws his inspiration from both his eastern and western cultural roots, as well as his inquisitive mind and inner poetry.  He excels in drawing, watercolor and oil painting, while exploring subjects such as: still life, landscape/cityscape, portrait and figure, Chinese calligraphy and brush painting. His work has been widely exhibited, collected and has won many awards.. 

​JJ currently lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the founder and director of the Village Art Circle fine art gallery in the heart of downtown Cary.