Mission

The mission of the Illinois Watercolor Society is to advance the education and caliber of watercolor painting throughout Illinois. We hold monthly meetings and demonstrations and host two annual shows. We invite you to attend the next meeting and meet some of the society members, or to join us. All are welcome.


We are holding our meetings in person at:

Oak Brook Public Library

600 Oak Brook Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523


We are seeking people to assist the IWS Board. If you would like to help with the annual Members Show, IWS Facebook page, or IWS website please contact [email protected].


40th National Exhibition

May 3 – May 31, 2024

To be held at
The Next Picture Show
A Fine Arts Center
113 W. First St.
Dixon, Illinois


39th National Exhibition

April 28 – May 28, 2023

Award Winners
Juror: Beth Shadur

Chris Krupinski – Fishin’ In the Moonlight

Janine Helton – A Little Bird Told Me

r. mike nichols – Blackbird Singing In the Dark of Night

Tom Herzberg – Adrift

Best of ShowChris Krupinski
Award of Excellence lJanine Helton             
Award of Excellence llr. mike nichols
Award of Excellence lllTom Herzberg
Evelyn E. Schultz Creative SpiritRosemary Morrissey
Outstanding FigurativeAneita Gates           
Outstanding LandscapePatty Bryant
Outstanding AbstractLisa Arnold Franklin
Charles Strissel MemorialSuzanne Hetzel
Director’s ChoiceKaren Romani
People’s ChoicePeter Jablokow
Honorable MentionHoward Kuo
Honorable MentionBrett Steinhaus       
Honorable MentionLawrence Raffanti
Honorable MentionYidan Guo
Honorable MentionAndrew Arkell
Honorable MentionGlenda McCune
Honorable MentionDavid Gregory
Joan Coffey MemorialIrena Roman