2026 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 below.Artwork for unframed and miniature categories must still adhere to archival and presentation standards, as outlined in the Framing Guidelines below.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 2026 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 (which they will receive from the WSQ Committee via email) to the back prior to delivering the artwork.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: An artist may submit only 10 paintings maximum 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 CategoriesThere 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 CategoryThis 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.AwardsThe 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) A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST GENERALLY MEETS TWO OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: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)A NON-PROFESSIONAL ARTIST TYPICALLY MEETS MOST OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:May or may not have entered WSQ or other art competitions in the past.Does not regularly tutor paid art workshops or classes.May occasionally sell paintings, 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 CategoryThis 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 pigmentsSemi-opaque or opaque watercolour pigmentsWatercolour groundGouacheGesso (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 This award is open to both professional and non-professional members.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 (20 September 2026) or as near to this time as practical. This award includes a certificate of recognition and small prize.

These categories provide additional opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork; however, artworks in these categories are not eligible for judging or awards. Miniatures may or may not be framed. These works may be produced as either traditional or non-traditional artworks however they are still expected to follow archival and framing standards as set out above and in the Framing Guidelines.

Display: Two dedicated WSQ carousel displays will be provided: one for original cards and one for print cards.Dimensions: Cards must be standard-sized and fit into standard envelopes. Display stands can accommodate cards up to approximately 150mm wide.Labelling: Each card must have a small dot/label displaying your initials, the price, and an ‘O’ for original or ‘P’ for print.Presentation: Each card must be neatly presented in a clear cellophane sleeve.Pricing: Individual card pricing only; no "bundle" or multi-card discounts are permitted.Quantity Management: Entrants may bring as many cards as they wish. However, the initial display quantity will be managed to ensure an equitable number of cards from each seller, dependent on available display space. A designated box will be available at the Sales Desk for storing extra cards to replenish the carousels as needed.Delivery: Please ensure all cards are brought in a suitable storage container clearly labelled with the artist’s name.

Paintings submitted to the WSQ Annual Exhibitions must meet archival and professional framing standards to be accepted. These guidelines apply whether you're using a custom framer or framing the artwork yourself with ready-made materials. Our sponsors, Frame Warehouse, demonstrate many of these steps on YouTube, links are provided where available. Glazing Acceptable Materials: Use glass or high-quality acrylic coverings like Plexiglass or Perspex. Mat Board Requirement: An acid-free mat board is essential. It serves both as a presentation element and prevents the painting from directly contacting the glazing, which can trap moisture and cause damage from heat. Hinging Method: Secure the painting to the mat board along the top edge only, using 2-3 small pieces of acid-free hinging tape. This allows the paper to expand and contract. Unacceptable Materials: Masking tape must not be used. Reference: Hinge your artwork - Frame Warehouse Backing Board Acceptable Materials: Use foam core or core flute. Unacceptable Materials: Masonite, MDF, or similar backing boards are prohibited. Float Mounting Alternative: Float mounting, where the painting doesn't touch the glass, is acceptable if you use acid-free materials. Securing within the Frame Method: Use metal points (often included with ready-made frames) to hold the glass, mat, painting, and backing board securely within the frame. Reference: Fit your art to the frame - Frame Warehouse Sealing Purpose: To prevent dust and insects from entering the frame. Method: Seal all sides of the back using an adhesive framing tape to cover the gap between the backing board and the frame. Wide paper packaging tape from stationery stores is a suitable alternative. Unacceptable Materials: Masking tape or duct tape. Finishing Touch: Adhere felt dots to the bottom corners of the frame. Hanging Hardware: Use only metal D-rings to attach a durable cord or wire for hanging. Reference: Attach a Rope by Frame Warehouse Positioning: Place the D-rings one-third of the frame's height from the top. Cord/Wire Slack: Ensure the cord or wire has enough slack so that, when tightened, the top of the cord/wire is approximately halfway between the D-rings and the top of the frame. Guidelines for Unframed Paintings Unframed paintings must also adhere to archival standards, using acid-free materials. This includes matting, hinging, and backing boards. For protection and neat presentation, place unframed paintings in a clear cellophane sleeve. WSQ Equipment WSQ members have access to mat cutting equipment at the Hub, along with written instructions for its use.