126th International Exhibition of Works on Paper

Overview

The 126th International Exhibition of Works on Paper is an in-person juried show presented by the Philadelphia Water Color Society at Wayne Art Center. Artists may submit up to 2 works on paper in approved media; one will be selected for exhibition. Work must be original, created within the last 3 years, and not previously accepted in a PWCS exhibition.

Key Dates

• Submissions Open: Monday, June 1, 2026
• Submissions Close: Monday, July 20, 2026
• Online Demo: August 1, 2026, 7:30–9:30pm (Ng Woon Lam)
• Acceptance Notifications: By Monday, August 10, 2026
• Judging of Awards: August 7–9, 2026
• Award Notifications: August 11, 2026
• Announcement of Awards: August 12–14, 2026
• Artwork Shipment Deadline: September 28–October 2, 2026
• Hand Delivery Deadline: October 7, 2026
• Exhibition Dates: October 14–November 14, 2026
• Workshop: October 16–17, 2026, 9am–4pm (Kenneth Call)
• Opening Reception: October 18, 2026, 3–5pm
• Artwork Pickup: November 16, 2026, 10am–5pm
• Shipment of Artwork: November 17, 2026

Eligibility

Artists must be 18 or older. Work cannot have been accepted in any prior PWCS exhibition. Selected artwork cannot be displayed concurrently in other shows. Entries must have been created within the last 3 years (artwork produced before June 2023 will not be accepted). Artists may not substitute another work for an accepted work.

Media & Format

Accepted media includes watercolor, soft pastels, charcoal, graphite, colored pencil, pen & ink, gouache, acrylic, and hand-pulled prints. All work must be original and on paper. Clay prints on Reemay using water-soluble mediums are acceptable. Collage elements must be of paper and cannot be mounted on canvas; any image or color on collage papers must be of water media created by the artist—no cutouts from digital work. Oils, oil pastels, photographic, digital, electronic processes, or computer art will not be accepted. Work must not be completed under teacher supervision (class, workshop, DVD, or book instruction). The entrant must have taken the photo reference.

Framing & Size

Framed size cannot exceed 42 inches in height or width.

Fees

• PWCS Members: $45 for 2 works
• Non-Members: $55 for 2 works
• Member dues must be paid in full before entering (dues must be paid through December 31, 2026)
• No refunds once entry is submitted

Awards

• Over $10,000 in Awards
• $2,000 PWCS Award for Best in Show
• $1,500 Elizabeth Shober Hooper Award for Excellence in Presentation & Technique
• $1,000 PWCS Founders Award

After Acceptance

Artists notified of acceptance may not withhold their work for any reason. Once accepted, works cannot be withheld from the exhibition. Failure to deliver will result in a two-year exclusion from all juried PWCS exhibitions. All entries must be for sale; prices cannot be changed once submitted. The Wayne Art Center will take 40% commission on artwork sales.

Venue

• Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave, Wayne, PA 19087
• Davenport and Ethel Sargeant Clark Smith Gallery