WATERMEDIA

2005 

Montana Watercolor Society

23^rd Annual National

Juried Exhibition

October 4 to 29, 2005

Bigfork Art & Cultural Center

Bigfork, Montana

Sponsorship

The Montana Watercolor Society was founded in 1983 to encourage the advancement and creation of watercolor paintings in Montana and the nation.  Membership is open to adult US residents.  Annual dues of $30 may be sent with the entry form.  Members receive a quarterly newsletter and Watermedia catalog, can display work at the annual open members show, and pay reduced fees for workshops and Watermedia exhibits.  

Calendar

October 6 – October 29, 2005

May 1                  Slide entries must be received
                            by this date

June 27-30          Notification mailed

July 10                 Notify Watermedia Chair
                            if Painting is withheld

Sept. 19-27         Shipped paintings due

Sept. 24               Hand-delivered paintings due

Oct. 4                  Exhibition opens

Oct. 6-9               Frank Francese Workshop

Oct. 7                  Opening Reception at Bigfork
                           Art & Cultural Center

Oct. 28                Awards Banquet

Oct. 29                Exhibition closes

Nov. 6                 Pick up hand-delivered paintings

Nov. 13              Shipped paintings returned

For Information:
Vickie Lynn Johnson. Watermedia Chair
PO Box 2605
Missoula, MT 59806
406-549-6536
VLJohnsonMTWS@aol.com 

Diane Hausmann, MTWS President
31 6th Lane NE
Fairfield, MT 59436
406-467-3432 
vinhaus@3rivers.net

Juror of Selection and Awards
Frank  Francese

Frank Francese was born in Arizona and has lived most of his life in Colorado .  He has been a professional artist since 1976 and achieved the groundwork for his profession while attending Western State College in Gunnison , Colorado . Watercolors came to the forefront of Francese’s attention in 1983.  The knowledge gained in previously working with glass etching strengthened his fine drawing skills and subsequently his watercolors.

Frank enjoys working on a very wet surface, letting the pure color mix itself on the paper.  His shapes are large and loose, and he disregards the fine detail.  He uses abrupt color changes of the same value with the white of the watercolor paper to bring his paintings to life.  The subject matter for Frank’s watercolors is always varied, reflecting his travels as well as local Colorado scenes.

Francese has taught numerous watercolor workshops.  Here is a quote from a former workshop attendee.  “A Frank Francese workshop is a wonderful experience.  He has a well-planned schedule and gives all that he knows into his workshop teaching. .  He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and other Regional Watercolor Societies.

Watermedia Awards

Over $5,000 in merchandise and cash awards have been awarded by past jurors. Awards and cash donated by various businesses, organizations and indivduals. 

Eligibility
Watermedia 2005 is open to US artists 18 years or older.  Entries must be the original creation of the artist within the last 2 years and not previously in a juried MTWS show.
Only works hand-executed in aqueous media (watercolor, gouache, acrylic and inks) on paper or board will be accepted.  Collage must be in conjunction and consistant with the watermedia.  No pastels, no water-soluble oil paints, no egg tempera, prints, or computer-created images are acceptable.
The maximum frame size for paintings is 44” x 44”. The maximum weight is 50 lbs.  Minimum image size is 8” x 10”.
Conditions
All paintings shall be for sale. The price listed on the prospectus entry formincludes the gallery commission.   The price listed on the prospectus entry form will be used in the catalog and on exhibition labels and cannot be changed.  A 30% gallery commission will be deducted from all sales.  
If accepted paintings are withheld by the artist, the Watermedia Chair must be notified by July 10^th so an alternate may be selected.  Failure to do so, or not meeting the delivery date, will make the artist ineligible to enter MTWS exhibitions for the next 3 years.
Paintings must match the submitted slides and meet media and framing criteria.  Unsuitable material will not be hung and the juror’s decision is final on all of the specifications.

Fees
$15 /$20 entry fee for MTWS members
25 /$35 entry fee for non-members
$25 handling fee for shipped paintings The total cost of shipping works to and from the exhibit is additional.  
All fees are nonrefundable. 

Accepted Works
Works must be framed, under Plexiglas, if shipped, and ready to hang.  Clip systems are not acceptable.  Mats should be white or light-colored neutral tones; a colored liner is acceptable. Acrylic paintings using watercolor techniques must be framed as above. Detailed shipping and hand-delivery instructions will be mailed with acceptance notifications.
Liability  
MTWS will not be responsible for any loss or damage to any art submitted to this exhibition.  The Bigfork Art & Cultural Center will exercise all necessary precautions in the storage, handling and security of all paintings.  BACC will assume insurance of paintings upon receipt of the signed contract agreement, inspection, and during the exhibition.  Coverage will be provided for the fair market value of the work or the fair cost of repair.  Neither the MTWS nor BACC will be responsible for minor wear and tear resulting from normal handling.  No paintings shall be released for any reason during the exhibition.

Catalog
Slides of accepted paintings will be reproduced for the catalog.  MTWS reserves reproduction rights of accepted paintings for promotional purposes.  

Entries
Each artist may enter slides of 1-3 paintings; only one slide per artist may be accepted.  All accepted slides will become part of the MTWS permanent collection, others will be returned. 
Slides must be standard 35 mm color in 2”x2” stiff cardboard or plastic mounts.
The slide’s color rendition must be accurate with only the painting image filling the slide.  Non-image areas may be masked with silver Mylar tape inside the slide mount.

Label the front of slide as shown.  Indicate #1, #2 or #3 on each slide to correspond to entry form.
Front side---place dot in upper right corner

Entry Form Checklist

• $25 (2 slides) or $35 (3 slides) check to MTWS (non-member)  
  
• $15 (2 slides) or $20 (3 slides) check to MTWS (member)
  
• Slides  
  
• $30 check to MTWS (optional dues)  
  
• Completed entry form & identification label 
• Stamped self-addressed long envelope