San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition
September 27, 2026 – October 31, 2026
SDWS was established in 1965 and is one of the largest and most active in the United States.
The International Exhibition is widely recognized for its high standard of excellence in water
media art.
For over four decades, the International Exhibition has been an annual highlight for SDWS. The
event attracts entries from hundreds of water media artists worldwide.
The Exhibition features over $30,000+ in cash and awards and is the best-selling show of the
year!
The Call for Entry concluded on May 22nd. Our Juror, Ana Laura Salazar is now reviewing
entries and will select 105 paintings for inclusion in the 46th annual exhibition.
The results will be posted on this page and emailed to all entrants on June 15th.
For any questions, please contact International Exhibition Director, Joe Gass at:
sdws.intl.show@gmail.com
Key Dates
| Online Entry Opens | February 1, 2026 |
| Entry Deadline | May 22, 2026 |
| Jury Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Exhibition Opens | September 27, 2026 |
| Opening Reception | October 2, 2026 |
| Exhibition Closes | October 31, 2026 |
Juror
Ana Laura Salazar
Master Artist, Ana Laura Salazar comes from a family of artists, inheriting her talent from her mother, Martha Orozco. Her artistic training, complemented by various workshops, prepared her to excel in the field of painting, particularly in the watercolor technique. She has been a member of the Mexican Society of Watercolorists since 1987. Throughout her career, she has showcased her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Mexico, Bulgaria, India, China and the US. Her paintings have earned national and international awards. Notably, receiving the Premio Tlacuilo multiple times at the National Watercolor Salon, organized by the National Watercolor Museum in Mexico City, as well as the Premio Tláloc, awarded by the Watercolor Museum of the State of Mexico.
Internationally, she has achieved significant recognition, including serving as a juror of the III International Youth Watercolor Festival held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 2025, being invited as a judge for the 2nd Kipus Bolivia Exhibition in 2024, being invited to 1st Qingdao International Watercolor Festival held in China in 2023, and winning first place in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) International Exhibition for two consecutive years 2018 & 2019.
Ana Laura’s artistic journey reflects a passion for watercolor and a commitment to promoting this technique through her acclaimed paintings and workshops. She is currently fully dedicated to the visual arts, teaching painting techniques in her private studio and is excited to serve as the 2026 SDWS 46th International Exhibition Juror.