Our History
Trace the origins of the Society, read letters from past presidents, and see how the organization has evolved.
Our Purpose
About Us
The Garden State Watercolor Society is an art organization that promotes watercolor art, supports watercolor artists, and brings artists together through shared artistic and community activities.
Mission
Supporting watercolor artists
Our mission is to support watercolor artists and encourage the continued growth of the art form. The Society offers ways for members to connect with other artists, share their work, and take part in a community centered on watercolor painting.
Membership levels include Signature Members, Associate Members, Honorary Members, and Emeritus status. These categories recognize different forms of participation and contribution to the Society.
Explore the Society
History, leadership, and artistic resources
Board of Directors
Meet the elected officials who provide leadership and governance for the Society.
Art Lessons
Explore lesson resources for watercolor artists and members of the artistic community.
Our Community
A place for artists to connect
Members can explore galleries, participate in recognition programs, follow Society activity on Facebook, and discover resources for artistic development.
The Garden State Watercolor Society exists to champion watercolor painting within New Jersey and beyond. As an art organization, it promotes the medium, supports practicing watercolor artists, and creates welcoming settings where painters gather around shared artistic pursuits. The Society's purpose extends beyond studio practice into community life, encouraging conversation, critique, and collaboration among people who care about transparent washes, luminous paper, and the fluid craft of pigment meeting water.
At the heart of the Society's mission is the continued growth of watercolor as an art form. Members are given ways to connect, to display their work for others to see, and to participate in a community that centers on watercolor painting. The emphasis is on steady, sustainable practice: repeated sessions, shared inspiration, and a welcoming atmosphere that welcomes both long-established painters and newcomers curious about the medium.
Membership is structured to reflect different stages of an artist's life and level of involvement. Signature Members represent the Society's core community, while Associate Members offer participation for those who wish to engage without the full commitment. Honorary Members are recognized for distinguished contribution, and Emeritus status honors members whose service and participation have continued over many years, preserving continuity and institutional memory.
Beyond membership, the Society is known for exhibitions that bring watercolor work before the public, along with programs that support the surrounding community. Exhibitions, shared painting activities, and educational events reinforce the idea that watercolor thrives through exchange — artists learning from one another, audiences encountering the medium in a gallery setting, and a regional identity rooted in the Garden State.
