2025 WSQ Annual Exhibition

WSQ Membership: Entrants must be a current financial member of the Watercolour Society of Queensland (WSQ) at the time of entry. Originality of Artwork: Artwork must be an original creative work produced solely by the submitting artist. Reproductions (e.g., prints, giclée) are not permitted for judged categories. Artwork must not be a copy or derivation of another artist's work, a photograph taken by another person, or an image sourced from publications or the internet. Artwork must not have been produced during a workshop or art class or have received significant assistance, guidance, or correction from an instructor or other individual. Prior Exhibition/Award Status: Artwork must not have been previously entered into any past WSQ exhibition. Artwork must not have previously won any award, prize, or commendation in any public art show, exhibition, or competition (local, national, or international). Availability for Sale: All submitted artwork, including framed, unframed, miniatures, and cards, must be available for sale during the exhibition period.

Entry Fees: The appropriate entry fee/s must be paid in full at the time of submission. Please refer to the "Entry Fees" section for detailed information. Commission on Sales: WSQ will retain a 25% commission on the final sale price of all artwork sold during the exhibition, across all categories (framed, unframed, miniatures, and cards). Framing and Presentation: All artwork submitted for judged categories must be framed to professional standards. Specific requirements are detailed in the accompanying Framing Guidelines. Artwork for unframed and miniature categories must still adhere to archival and presentation standards, as outlined in the Framing Guidelines. Artwork Reproduction Consent: Entrants grant the Watercolour Society of Queensland permission to reproduce their submitted artwork (in whole or in part) for media, promotional, archival, and publicity purposes related to the 2025 Annual Exhibition and future WSQ activities, without further compensation. This may include, but is not limited to, website display, social media, print advertisements, and catalogues. Care of Artwork: While WSQ volunteers will exercise all reasonable care in handling, displaying, and storing artwork, the Watercolour Society of Queensland and its volunteers shall not be liable for any damage or loss of an exhibitor's artwork, regardless of the cause. Artist Label: For all artwork, artists must affix the official WSQ label (provided by WSQ) to the back prior to delivering the artwork. Signature Obscurement (Judged Artwork): For all judged artwork, artist to cover signature (on glazing) using a safe, non-adhesive tape that will not leave any residue, prior to artwork delivery. Volunteer Contribution: All entrants are strongly encouraged and expected to volunteer in some capacity during the Annual Exhibition. Details on volunteer roles and sign-up will be provided separately. Entry Limit: There is no maximum limit to the number of entries an artist may submit across all categories.

Entrants may submit multiple artworks. An entrant can only be eligible for one of the Traditional Watercolour Category Awards (either Professional or Non-Professional). An entrant cannot be eligible for both. Both professional and non-professional members are eligible to enter the Open Category. Entrants may submit artwork in both the Traditional Watercolour and the Open Categories. Judged Categories There are three main awards in two categories as well as a Sponsor's Choice and People's Choice Award which may be selected from any Judged Category. Prizes and certificates will be announced and awarded on Opening Night, except for the People's Choice Award. A. Traditional Watercolour Category This category specifically recognises traditional watercolour medium techniques, irrespective of artistic style or thematic content. The Artwork must be painted predominantly with traditional watercolour pigments on a minimum of 300 gsm, 100% cotton, watercolour paper. A maximum of 10% of the artwork's surface area may be covered with gouache and/or ink. Should the WSQ Committee or Judges determine that the use of gouache or ink exceeds the 10% allowance, the artwork will be automatically re-categorised and judged in the Non-Traditional Category. Awards The WSQ Committee trusts entrants to accurately assess their status as a professional or non-professional artist for the relevant award categories; however, criteria have been provided for guidance. WSQ Award - Professional (First Place + 1 Runner Up) Widely recognised by the broader art community as a professional artist. Has won first place twice or more in previous WSQ Annual Exhibitions. Has consistently won awards or placed regularly in other significant art exhibitions and competitions. Has been consistently selling artwork for several years. Receives payment for tutoring art classes or workshops on a regular basis. WSQ Award - Non-Professional (First Place + 1 Runner Up + 2nd Runner Up + 3 Highly Commended) May or may not have entered WSQ or other art competitions in the past. Does not regularly tutor paid art workshops or classes. May sell occasional painting, but not as a primary source of income. Has won first place only once in a previous WSQ Exhibition (if applicable). May have placed as a Runner-Up or received a Highly Commended award more than once in previous WSQ Exhibitions. B. Non-Traditional Watercolour Category This category allows for a broader range of media and surfaces, provided the artwork remains fundamentally a watercolour painting and adheres to archival quality standards e.g. salt grains are not permitted as they compromise the artwork's long-term integrity. Acrylic or oil paints are strictly NOT permitted. Permitted surfaces include watercolour paper (minimum 300 gsm, 100% cotton), Yupo, canvas, Aquabord, and similar acid-free and stable surfaces. All artwork in this category must be suitably mounted and framed; however, canvas and Aquabord artworks may be exempt from glazing if they are correctly sealed or fixed in a floating frame. Accepted Water-based Media include: Transparent watercolour pigments Semi-opaque or opaque watercolour pigments Watercolour ground Gouache Gesso (as a ground or texturiser) Watercolour/ water soluble Inks (ensure archival and light-fastness qualities) High-quality watercolour pencils (e.g., Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer, Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle) High-quality watercolour markers/brush pens (e.g., Winsor & Newton Promarker) Award WSQ Open Award (First Place + 1 Runner Up + 2nd Runner Up + 3 Highly Commended) Other Awards (Eligible from all Judged Categories) All entries submitted into the Judged Categories (Traditional Watercolour and Open) are automatically eligible for the following awards: Sponsor's Choice Award: An additional prize in any judged category, as chosen by the exhibition's primary sponsor. People's Choice Award: Determined by votes cast by exhibition visitors throughout the event. The winner will be announced on Sunday afternoon (14 September 2025). This award includes a certificate of recognition and small prize.