
Why do we have a selection process.
The Watercolour Society of W.A. is one of the few Societies to have entry by selection.
This is not due to a desire to be elitist but rather a response to the intentions of the organisation and to the quirks of the medium.
It’s aims are to promote the medium of Watercolour to the public at its best and this cannot be achieved by anyone still grappling with the basics. Once people recognise that they have reached the stage of being either serious amateurs or professionals they are in a position to be an ambassador for Watercolour.
Being accepted into the Society is merely the beginning of a new phase. The Society is neither a teaching establishment or a selling entity.
Members are expected to improve their skills and grow their careers themselves. However, opportunities are offered through the website to advertise classes and exhibitions (Watercolour only, of course.) and during the Annual Awards Exhibition.
The people who send in their paintings are trusting us to give our full attention to the process and to make an honest and educated decision. There is no case of not being good enough, just perhaps not ready. And remember sometimes mistakes are made. We need to ask ourselves if we know the difference between naive and childish, abstract and scribble, contemporary and trendy, etc. We owe it to them and ourselves to keep up to date and informed. With computers this is easy.
By advancing the reputation of the Watercolour Society we have been showcasing Watercolours as an affordable and fascinating medium to collect and challenging and rewarding to paint. A valuable medium to be taken seriously. Now, more than ever, our world needs art. We owe it the best.