LSWS Membership Application 2026 11-24-25-1
Lake Superior Watercolor Society (LSWS) New Member Application for 2026
Revised November 24, 2025
About LSWS: Thank you for your interest in joining the Lake Superior Watercolor Society
LSWS was formed in 1982 (https://www.lakesuperiorwatercolor.com/history/). Our membership
includes watercolorists from Northern MN and Northern WI as well as those who have subsequently
moved from the area. New member applications for LSWS are accepted each year and new members
are chosen by secret vote of active members who attend the LSWS April member meeting where
applicant art is critiqued by LSWS members attending the meeting. LSWS Mission: To promote the
development and appreciation of watercolor painting in Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin.
Note: If you are not from Northern MN or WI, please contact us before you apply to discuss how your
possible membership meets the mission of LSWS.
Member Benefits & Expectations:
There are many reasons to become a member of LSWS including the opportunity to educate and learn
from others about the art of watercolor, meet other artists and share ideas and techniques, and receive
critique from the group on finished or nearly finished watercolor paintings at monthly meetings.
Additionally, members are offered a personal page on the LSWS webpage to display their art, provide
an artist’s statement, and link to their own personal webpage or social media site.
Member meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm during September-May at
Spirit of the Lakes Community Art (SOLCA), 5401 E Superior St, Duluth, MN. There is no meeting in
December. Membership dues are $30/year. LSWS relies on member volunteers who are
encouraged to support the LSWS mission in the following ways:
1. attend monthly meetings and bring personal art for critique
2. demonstrate or explain a new technique, etc., at member meetings or in the community
3. use LSWS watercolor kits to educate community groups
4, become an LSWS board member or serve on a committee
5. enter artwork in LSWS member art shows or in personal shows
Please note, members must attend at least two member meetings in the past 12 months to be
eligible to participate in member art shows. Special circumstances can be discussed.
About the New Membership Application Process: New member applications for LSWS are accepted
each year. New members are chosen by secret vote of active members who attend the LSWS April
member meeting where applicant art is critiqued by LSWS members attending the meeting. This is a
juried process described in the LSWS organization bylaws. IMPORTANT: The entire application
process must be submitted electronically by March 31, 2026 to be considered for membership in 2026,
so please allow yourself plenty of time for us to contact you and answer questions and for you to
complete your application. Link to LSWS New Member Application Process
Application Deadline is March 31 of each year:
If you are interested in applying, please contact the membership committee at the email provided below
before completing the application and provide a phone number where we can reach you. This
conversation will allow the applicant to ask questions about the process, membership expectations and
benefits of membership, etc. Email us at: lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
STEPS TO APPLY
LSWS New Member Application Process – Deadline: March 31
All steps must be completed in their entirety by the deadline to be considered for membership
1. Review the Application Process below and complete all steps by March 31.
2. Contact the membership committee before submitting your application and provide a phone
number where we may reach you. We will contact you to review the process and answer
questions. lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
3. Answer the questions outlined below and send answers by email to:
lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
4. Submit five (5) digital images of your original watercolor art with at least three pieces being at
least approximately 11”x 15”. Use multiple emails to send your files.
5. Provide three (3) physical pieces of your original watercolor art at least approximately 11”x 15”
(the 11×15” digital images can be the physical pieces you are providing in number 4 above). Art
may be either framed or unframed for viewing by LSWS members at the April 16, 2026 meeting
of LSWS. Drop off and pick up of your art will be coordinated with you and a member of
LSWS.
6. Contact LSWS with questions as you are completing the application.
lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
APPLICATION PROCESS
Note: Information listed below must be submitted electronically to
lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
1. Your Full Name
2. Phone Number
3. Email Address
4. Mailing Address
5. Any other information on how to contact you
6. Your Instagram or Website address
7. Provide Three (3) short paragraphs that include all of the following:
a. How did you become interested or hear about LSWS and being a member?
b. How often do you watercolor paint?
c. Describe your personal art journey, influences and mentors.
d. What do you hope to learn and achieve as a member?
e. How do you hope to become involved in LSWS in Northern Minnesota or Northern
Wisconsin? (ie, interest in board or committee service, examples of demonstrations at
member meetings or in the communities we serve, how you might use the watercolor kits
for community outreach.)
f. Anything else you feel we should know about you or your art journey.
8.Provide three (3) physical pieces of your original watercolor art that is at least approximately
11×15” in size for viewing by LSWS members at the April, 16, 2026 meeting of LSWS. Your art
can be framed or unframed. Drop off and pick up of your art will be coordinated with you and a
member of LSWS.
9. Provide five (5) digital images of your original watercolor art in .jpeg format of which at least
three are a physical size of approximately 11×15” (the 11×15” digital images may be the
physical pieces you are providing in number 8 above). File name for each image should include:
date painted; your name; painting title and size. Example: 2023_Anita Gille_Aurora Lights_20×24. See How to Send Digital Art Images for full instructions.
10. If you are not from Northern Minnesota or Northern Wisconsin, please describe how you will be
engaged in the mission of the organization to benefit this geographical area.
HOW TO SEND DIGITAL ART IMAGES:
a)Use your smartphone (or a good camera) in good lighting with settings on high quality to
take photos of your art. Best results are achieved by photographing images before
framing. Review image for these issues: Is it blurry when you enlarge it on your screen?
Do the colors in your painting look similar on the screen?
b)Provide the file name for each image: date painted, your name, painting title and size,
Example: 2023_Anita Gille_Aurora Lights_20x24
c)Describe Each of Your Paintings: Provide title, size, descriptive information about
inspiration/purpose for the piece of art in the body of your email. Example: Aurora Lights
by Anita Gille, 20×24”, lake view of the northern lights. Watercolor techniques used include… or I learned … or inspired by …
Thank you for applying to become a member of LSWS. Please contact us if you have questions or
concerns and we will attempt to help you with the situation.
lakesuperiorwatercolorsociety@gmail.com
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