The application deadline for signature membership this year is June 14, 2025.   

• Any artist whose paintings have been accepted in two (2) juried OWS Exhibitions is eligible to apply or reapply for Signature Membership.
• You may reapply as many times as necessary.
• You do not need to be an Associate of OWS to apply for full membership.
• The application process takes place once each year.

1.  If you have met the criteria listed above, the next steps are as follows:

• Assemble four (4) digital images of your best paintings from the past three years that have not appeared in any OWS annual exhibition (image size 300 dpi, longer dimension = 1000 pixels, file size: 1 mB or less).
• Save the images as a Zip file (see, for example:  https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Zip-File)

2.  Submit the Zip file via the form below (if you need help with the process, include a message and someone will contact you.

3.  After receipt of the images, the Membership Secretary will proceed as follows:

• Group the images by artist, keeping the names secret.
• Submit the images to the Officers and Trustees of OWS for review.
• Record the votes of the OWS Officers and Trustees cast by ballot.
• Contact the applicants via letter with the result: any applicant who receives a majority vote of the Officers and Trustees will become a Signature Member.
  

4.  If you are accepted, you will receive instructions via email to submit the following:

• A close-up digital photo of yourself
• An artist’s statement and resume (1 page—Microsoft Word file or equivalent)

The photo, artist’s statement and resume will be used create a summary for the OWS Newsletter

New Signature Members are expected to be present at the OWS Watercolor Ohio Annual Awards Banquet to receive a membership certificate and OWS pin and to have their photos taken.