About CWS

Upholding the principles of art

The Colorado Watercolor Society (CWS), based in Denver, Colorado is a non-profit 501(c)(3) fine arts organization. Our mission is to uphold the highest standards and principles of art and to promote, encourage, educate and foster an interest in fine art in all media, especially watercolor.

CWS was first established as an art group in 1954 and held its first public exhibition at the Mile High Center of Denver in 1957. In 1997, CWS became a member of the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS).

CWS has grown over the decades and now counts over four hundred members. Our membership represents a wide range of experience levels, from beginners to experts, from amateurs and hobbyists to seasoned professionals, including nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Painting styles, subject matter and media are equally varied, encompassing traditional, representational transparent watercolor, more contemporary, experimental and abstract watercolor, as well as collage, mixed media, ink-resist, acrylics, casein and other media. Diverse in their approaches and cohesive in their love of art, CWS members make this a welcoming, vibrant and inspiring organization!

In the foothills and front-range communities, CWS donates to Foothills Art Center in Golden, Colorado and other worthy art-oriented projects in the State. Each year several CWS members donate paintings to the local Denver Public Broadcasting Channel (PBS) Channel Six Auction. In addition, CWS regularly displays paintings at a variety of locations in the seven county Denver metro area.