ABOUT US

Toronto Watercolour Society… a brief history

The Toronto Watercolour Society (TWS) was founded in 1985 by an enthusiastic group of watercolour artists and their instructor, Margaret Roseman. They envisioned creating an organization dedicated to promoting the interests of painters in watercolour. The new society was launched when 45 people signed up as members at the inaugural meeting in May of that year. The first Annual Fall Juried Show was unveiled in October 1985 and since that time the society has mounted spring and fall juried shows each year.

The Toronto Watercolour Society is a strong, active and innovative organization of some 275 members. The society holds regular monthly meetings featuring notable guest artists who discuss their work and give exciting demonstrations of their techniques and methods. A number of weekend workshops are set up throughout the year to provide members with valuable learning sessions under the direction of knowledgeable, experienced, professional watercolourists.

Through these and many other activities, the society seeks to provide the nurturing strength of a collective identity and to inspire and encourage its members in the pursuit of personal expression through the exploration of the creative potential of water-based media.

The Toronto Watercolour Society has earned a reputation throughout Ontario for its continued commitment to its mandate, the quality of its shows and exhibitions, and the excellent work of its member artists. Membership is open to anyone 19 years and older, living in the Greater Toronto Area and is interested in painting in watercolours.

The History of the TWS Executive

Toronto Watercolour Society Distinctions & Awards

DISTINCTIONS

Signature Membership is attained for being juried into six different annual TWS juried shows. A special certificate is awarded and the member is allowed to affix the initials “TWS” after their name as long as they remain an active member.

Signature Membership: Bronze Level of Distinction
A special certificate is awarded with a Bronze Seal for being juried into 15 different TWS juried shows.

Signature Membership: Silver Level of Distinction
A special certificate is awarded with a Silver Seal for being juried into 25 different TWS juried shows.

Signature Membership: Gold Level of Distinction
A special certificate is awarded with a Gold Seal for being juried into 35 different TWS juried shows.

Signature Membership: Platinum Level of Distinction
A special certificate is awarded with a Platinum Seal for being juried into 50 different juried TWS shows. The member will also receive a Crystal Trophy, engraved with their name.

AWARDS

25 Year Membership Award (Certificate and Pin)
This is awarded after 25 years of membership. The recipient is presented with a special certificate and a silver pin with the TWS logo.

35 Year Membership Award (Certificate and Pin)
This is awarded after 35 years of membership. The recipient is presented with a special certificate and an art materials gift card.

President’s Award
This is awarded to the President after she or he complete their two year term. They are presented with a crystal trophy engraved with their name, the years of their term of office, and the TWS logo.

Director’s Award
In appreciation for their dedicated service, an outgoing director, having completed their five-year term of office, is awarded a crystal paper weight engraved with their name, term of office, and the TWS logo.

Executive Volunteer Service Award Plaque is awarded to a member who has served on the Executive Committee for a minimum of 10 years and has made a significant contribution to the Society. Recipients of this award may have held a variety of positions as an executive while giving of their time to enrich the function of the Society.

Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is given annually to a member who has volunteered their time for the benefit of the Society. They are usually not an executive, but rather serve on a committee. The recipient is awarded a certificate and a financial gift.

Lifetime Membership Awards
These awards honour our 85+ year old members. Each member is awarded a Lifetime Membership Certificate and no longer pay annual membership fees.

Awards for the Spring and Fall Juried “Aquavision” Exhibitions
The following prizes are awarded at each show:

  GOLD MEDAL – plus a Certificate and a financial award

  SILVER MEDAL – plus a Certificate and a financial award

  BRONZE MEDAL – plus a Certificate and a financial award

Award of Merit – TWS Rosette Ribbon, plus a Certificate and a financial award
(Five Awards of Merit are awarded at each show)

Honourable Mention Award – TWS Rosette Ribbon and a Certificate
(Five Honourable Mention Awards are awarded at each show)

First Time Entry into a TWS Show
Open to any TWS member who is entering into a juried TWS show for the First Time and is deemed by the judges to be the best in this category. A TWS Rosette Ribbon and a Certificate is awarded.

Dorothy Blefgen Award for Best Use of Colour
(This is awarded at the Fall Aquavision Show)
This Award is a bequest of the Blefgen Family in memory of Dorothy, a long time member who was an outstanding watercolour painter and a master of colour. A TWS Rosette Ribbon, a Certificate and a financial award accompany this award.

Ralph Blefgen Award for Best Composition
(This is awarded at the Fall Aquavision Show)

Bruce Snell Award for Best Transparent Watercolour
(This is awarded at the Spring Aquavision Show)
This award is to honour the memory of a devoted founding member who was an outstanding award-winning transparent watercolour painter. Bruce also held many executive positions and was a special volunteer giving freely of his time and experience to benefit the Society. A TWS Rosette Ribbon, a Certificate and a financial award accompany this award.

Pauline Holancin Award for Best Representation for Harmony in Nature
(This is awarded at the Spring Aquavision Show)