The Colorado Watercolor Society is an organization dedicated to upholding the highest standards and principles of art and to promote, encourage, educate and foster an interest in fine art in all media, especially watercolor.

About CWS

The Colorado Watercolor Society (CWS), based in Denver, 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.

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

The CWS has grown over the decades and now counts over three 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!

Benefits to Members and the Community

In the foothills and front-range communities, the CWS donates to Foothills Art Center in Golden, Colorado, to educational and scholastic programs, and to other worthy art-oriented projects in the State.

The CWS organizes workshops with nationally renowned artists. Get inspired with free artist demonstrations and presentations at our monthly meetings.

The CWS offers various opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork and compete for awards throughout the year, including the Members Show, the Explorations Exhibition, the State Watercolor Exhibition and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition.

Get informed: Read the quarterly newsletter, with articles and member news, make friends and network, socialize at our monthly meetings and events. There are also many volunteer opportunities, both large and small, to be an active part of CWS.

Please join us!

CWS President

General Meetings

(Click HERE for upcoming programs)

General Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Boulevard, Englewood, CO. (southwest corner of Hampden Avenue and Colorado Blvd.) in the Plymouth Hall.*

Visitors are welcome to join us at our monthly General Meetings, that include a business and informational portion, social time and a special program or presentation.

3^rd Tuesday of the month:

Executive Board meeting 5:00 pm
General Membership meeting 7:00 pm
NOTE: There are no CWS meetings held during the months of July, August and December.
*Alternate change to special events or special meeting sites will be announced on the website / email as necessary.

Find General Meeting Minutes and Board of Director Meeting Minutes here.

South Critique Group

Meets the 4th Friday of the month
9:30 am

Depot Art Gallery, Littleton, CO

Contact Monique Moore 303-770-4686

North Critique Group

Meets the 4th Friday of the month

10:00 am Aar River Gallery, 3707 W 73rd Ave, Westminster, CO

Contact Becky Silver 303-426-4114

Northern Colorado Critique Group

Contact: Linda Renaud showandtellartist@gmail.com

Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month,

1:30 pm, Loveland.

Contact Linda before attending. The location occasionally changes