Watercolor USA is a prestigious national competitive exhibition celebrating water media painting. This year marks its second presentation by the Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri, after being hosted by the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri, since 1962. Spiva is deeply honored to host this historic exhibition once again and continue its legacy of showcasing outstanding water media artistry.
Watercolor USA 2026 will run from Saturday, May 30, to Saturday, July 25, 2026, with a special opening reception on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Stay tuned for the Watercolor USA 2026 prospectus.
Watercolor USA 2026 – IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
January 9 Online entry begins – stay tuned for the link to apply.
February 16 Entry deadline at midnight CST.
March 16 Juror results notifications via email from Spiva and on your Call for Entry account.
March 9 – April 18 Shipped artwork may arrive at Spiva.
April 14 – April 18 Hand delivered artwork may arrive at Spiva between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
May 29 Opening reception and awards
May 30 Watercolor USA 2026 opens to public
July 25 Exhibition closes, 5:00 PM
July 28 – July 29 Hand deliveries may be picked up between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
July 28 – July 29 Shipped artwork is packed and shipping in process.
WCUSA 2026 AWARDS:
Cash Prizes Awarded by George A. Spiva Center for the Arts:
Cash & Merchandise Prizes Awarded by Watercolor USA Honor Society to be added as they are secured. Please note, WHS award categories and amounts change each year.
PAST AWARDS – WCUSA 2025 WINNERS:
Cash Prizes Awarded by George A. Spiva Center for the Arts:
1st Place| Kenneth M. Shuck Memorial Award -$3,000 | L.S. Eldridge, Hashtag Harmony
2nd Place | Greg G. Thielen Memorial Award – $2,000 | Lana Cease, Out of My Depth
3rd Place | Bill Armstrong Memorial Award – $1,500 | Dongfeng Li, Life of Silver
4th Place | Robert E. Goodier Memorial Award for Traditional Transparent Watercolor, Given by his Children, Winslow & Elizabeth – $1,000 | Chris Krupinski, Bittersweet
Cash & Merchandise Prizes Awarded by Watercolor USA Honor Society:
Gary Cadwallader Memorial Award – $300 | John Keeling, Magpie and Muley
Valerie Wright Memorial Award – $300 | Miles G. Batt, 2, Orchidaceous
Rita Finnegan Memorial Award – $300 | Brian Paulsen, Caution
Cheng Khee Chee Memorial Award – $300 | Ann Pember, Pensive
Kenji Nishikawa Memorial Award – $300 | Jim Whiteaker, Non Eva
Celia Clark Memorial Award – $300 | Mary Jane Mooneyham, Take Out
Award of Excellence – $300 | Rick Boschulte, March Lamb (Sunset)
Award of Excellence – $300 | Vicky Lilla, Pelicans at the Spillway
Award of Excellence – $300 | Lana Privitera, Fortune’s Fickle Whims
Award of Excellence – $300 | Ken Clubb, Stu
Charter Member Richard Clubb Memorial Award, Generously Donated by The Clubb Family – $300 | Dennis McCann, Porch Sitting
J Jie Li WHS Board of Directors Award – $500 | Michael Holter, The Look from Grannie
WHS Board of Directors Award – $500 | Lea Magruder, Painters’ Breakfast
WHS Board of Directors Award – $500 | Mary Jansen, Emerald City
WHS Board of Directors Award – $500 | Thomas Bucci, The River Dart
WHS Donor Award – Art Emporium, Fayetteville, Arkansas – $500 | Trish Poupard, The Drink
WHS Donor Award – Art Emporium, Fayetteville, Arkansas – $500 | Kelly Eddington, Ticket to the Show
Escoda Brushes Merchandise Award – $500 Value | Alisa Shea, Last November
Daniel Smith Watercolors Merchandise Award – $500 Value | Jim Hubbman, 100 Cranes for Zurbaŕan
Email exhibits@spivaarts.org for more information.
Cover image: L.S. Eldridge | Hashtag Harmony
Begin entering on January 9, 2026, at www.callforentry.org | Stay tuned for the official link on CaFE once the call opens.
Deadline is February 16, 2026, midnight CST.
Watercolor USA 2026 will exhibit May 30-July 25, 2026.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday: Closed
212 W. 7th Street
Joplin, M0 64801
