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 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].
We are holding our meetings in person at:
Oak Brook Public Library
600 Oak Brook Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Meeting schedule for 2025
April 5 – Venarella Hinkle
June 14 – Jim Brooksher
August 16 – Tom Francesconi
October 25 – Megan Ripke
41st National Exhibition
The Next Picture Show
A Fine Arts Center
113 W. First St.
Dixon, Illinois
May 1 – May 31, 2025
Juror of Selection and Awards, John Salminen, AWS-DF./NWS-M/TWSA-DM
Download the accepted artists list here.
Congratulations to new Signature member Rebecca Krutsinger.
Award Winners
First Place
Alexis Lavine – Smoke Break
Second Place
David Williams – Final Days of the Silver Dollar Tavern
Third Place
Ratindra Das – Around the Bend
Award of Excellence I
Aneita Gates – Wait… What?
Award of Excellence II
Chris Krupinski – Dots
Award of Excellence III
Patricia Garey – Temptations
Award of Excellence IV
Diane Shabino – Made to Make
Evelyn E. Schultz Creative Spirit Award
Tom Herzberg – Bride of Frankenstein
Director’s Choice
Anne Hightower-Patterson – Translucent Reflections
Charles Strissel Memorial Award
Elaine Daily-Birnbaum – When Things First Started to Fall Apart

People’s Choice Award
TBA at end of show
Honorable Mention
David Gardner – He Studies Her Hands
Honorable Mention
Robert Mejer – Impulse III
Honorable Mention
John James – Folding Over Laluna
Honorable Mention
Catherine Hillis – Stripes
Honorable Mention
Sonya Schuessler – Luna Park
Honorable Mention
Cheyenne DeMarco – Morning Sun