Join IWS

The Illinois Watercolor Society welcomes anyone with a love —or even an interest—in water media. Some members are highly accomplished professionals. Others of us are dabblers, just having a little fun. Our National Show is juried, with major awards, and includes the path to Signature status. Our Member’s Show is open for all to hang any water-media painting they wish! We publish the news on watercolor events, exhibitions, workshops and classes. Most of all, the Illinois Watercolor Society is a place to gather with new friends and celebrate painting in water media. That means you! Welcome.

IWS yearly membership includes newsletters which highlight IWS sponsored exhibitions and member’s accomplishments. We also send our “E-Blast” several times a year with exhibition and workshop opportunities across the state. Members are able to enter the annual member’s show which have been held at galleries such as the Peabody Estate at Mayslake, the Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Evanston Art Center and McCord Gallery. Members also pay a reduced fee for entry into the national show. In partnership with the Oak Brook Public Library, IWS members’ meetings are free and open to the public. Membership fees allow us to hire accomplished artists to present demos at the library and the IWS website. All of us at IWS appreciate your support.

New/Renewing Membership Dues

We are currently not accepting new or renewing memberships due to board downsizng. This letter below describes our current situation.

Dear IWS members,

We need to share an important update as we begin the new year. Our board has significantly decreased in size and will decrease some more. So now, we now need both new board members and new chair volunteers. Without additional help by Spring 2026, continuing the organization beyond this summer will be difficult.

What 2026 will look like:

  1. We will be ending meetings at the Oak Brook Library. We will not be able to manage them after mid‑year, so we’ve decided to conclude them now.
  2. National Show in Dixon is on! May 1–30. Please check CaFÉ for the prospectus.
  3. Members Show at the Highland Park Art Center is on! June 19–August 1. More details will be shared soon.
  4. Our website (www.illinoiswatercolorsociety.org) and Facebook members page will remain active through the summer. We will continue managing both.
  5. Membership renewals and the acceptance of new members have been suspended. Our current membership stands at 173, and all members are paid through April 30, 2026.
  6. We will use only three email addresses for communications:
  • Director@illinoiswatercolorsociety.org
  • Nationalshow@illinoiswatercolorsociety.org
  • Editor@illinoiswatercolorsociety.org

We can’t give you a shutdown date or predict exactly when decisions will be made. What we can say is that we will need commitments from some members by Spring in order to continue. Anyone stepping into a role will receive full support during the transition. Our Members Show ends August 1—and beyond that, we currently have no plans.

Please continue reading to view and learn about the positions needed to keep IWS running.

Thank you for your understanding, support, and your dedication to the Illinois Watercolor Society.

IWS Board

 

Executive Director

  • Promote and advocate for the organization.
  • Set agenda and dates for IWS Board meetings and distribute to Board members.
  • Lead IWS Board meetings.
  • Take and distribute IWS Board meetings meeting (Should be assigned to Recording Secretary).
  • Attend and support IWS events:
    • Make introductions, announcements, and thank-you speeches.
    • Review and sign contracts for show venues; maintain copies.
    • Work with Show Chair to review prospectuses and dates.
    • Meet and greet show jurors.
  • Assist in recruiting new IWS members and Board members.
  • Write “Director’s Letter” for the newsletter.
  • Send National show invitation emails to all US Watercolor Societies. (Should be assigned to National Show Director or Communications/Marketing).
  • Review the annual financial budget and assist the Treasurer in preparing it. Obtain IWS Board approval.
  • Review income and expenditures reports submitted by Treasurer or a review committee.

Director of Membership

  • Maintains database of members (Excel)
  • Update member contact information.
  • Track dues and send out reminders.
  • Track Signature members.
  • Send welcome letters to new members.

Treasurer

  • Manages all financial matters.
  • Signs and deposits checks for shows, events and membership.
  • Files annual report and sends payment to State of Illinois.
  • Manage the IWS Bank of America account.
  • Manage the IWS PayPal membership account.