Membership Application and Dues

You may join or renew your CWA membership online. CWA dues payments are processed through PayPal, where you may use your debit card, credit card, PayPal account. Associate/Signature Membership/Master Signature Membership dues: $45 for one year, $90 for 2 years, and $135 for 3 years.

Alternatively you can Print An Application Form, and send the completed application along with your check.

Associate Membership (A)

Any person interested in the arts may become as associate member of the California Watercolor Association.

Signature Membership (S)

To apply for Signature Membership: An associate member must petition the Board through the Membership Director, using the contact us page, with a letter listing participation in CWA activities, enclosing copies of "Service Hours Record" and show flyers or acceptance notices as necessary. The burden of documentation rests upon the applicant. Acceptance is subject to Board Approval.

To qualify for Signature Membership status: An applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

1. A member in good standing.
2. Acceptance in three CWA National/International Exhibitions; OR
3. Acceptance into two CWA National/International Exhibitions and have worked a minimum of 60 volunteer hours.

Each time service is performed, a "Service Hours Record" should be completed by the volunteer and signed by the person in charge of the activity. This provides a record of service.

60 Hours Per Year of Service:   Board Members, Webmaster

30 Hours Per Year of Service:   Hospitality Chair, Video Chair

10 Hours Per Year of Service:   Show Chair

Signature members may use the initials CWA after their signature on waterbased media work if they so desire. No member may use the initials CWA until their petition has been granted by the board. Use of these initials will continue only as long as the person is a member of CWA.

Master Signature Membership (MS)

To qualify for Master Signature Membership status, an applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

     1. Acceptance in three CWA National/International Exhibitions after initial Signature Membership achieved.
     2. Petition the Membership Director using the contact page, choose Membership Director from the drop down menu, providing proof of CWA National/International Exhibition acceptances in the form of show flyers, acceptance notices, or show catalogue pages.

Membership Dues

Memberships are based on the date processed, and will no longer be based on the calendar year.  For example, a one-year membership processed on January 15, 2018, will be good until January 14, 2019. If CWA raises the membership rates in the future, members will be protected from a rate increase for the duration of their membership period. Memberships are non-refundable in the event of a move out of the area.  CWA has many members throughout the United States and foreign countries.  CWA does not offer discounted rates for two artists living at the same address; both members would be required to pay the appropriate member rate.

Associate/Signature Membership/Master Signature Membership:

$45 for one year,

$90 for 2 years

$135 for 3 years. 

Benefactor Membership(s)

Gold, Silver or Bronze membership(s) may be conferred by recommendation of a Board Member and approved by a majority vote of the Board on a person, company, corporation or business, who has provided a special contribution or other good and valuable service. Benefactor members shall not have the right to vote, make motions or suggest resolutions.

Benefactor Membership(s): Gold - $1,000, Silver - $500, and Bronze - $250, as well as Student Memberships for students between the ages of 18 & 25, at a rate of $20 per year.

Benefits of Membership

Membership in the California Watercolor Association includes the following benefits:

Monthly Demonstrations

Monthly meetings with demonstrations by well known artists are held the third Wednesday of each month, except June and December, at 7:30pm at the Center for Community Arts, 111 N. Wiget Ln. (at Ygnacio Valley Rd.), Walnut Creek, CA. [see Map].     See About Us for more information.

Exhibitions

Members have the opportunity to enter CWA Member Shows and the Annual National Exhibition. See Shows and Exhibitions.

Workshops

Special discounted rates are offered to CWA-sponsored workshops. 

Monthly Newsletter

Published January through December, the newsletter  includes the following information: 

• Upcoming Workshops
• General Meetings’ Artist Demonstrations Information
• Activities by Members
• Recognition of Member’s Accomplishments
• Upcoming Juried Member Shows Including Call for Entries by Other Artist Organization
• Plein Air
• Community Outreach

Plein Air Excursions

Informal excursions to paint at select spots in California with other artists. See plein air.

Member Roster

CWA maintains an online directory of all members.

Show Catalog

All members receive a free copy of the National Exhibition catalogue. Please be sure to keep your mailing address up-to-date. 

Community Outreach
1. Art Instruction for teachers, students and veterans.
2. Student Awards at the Alameda County Fair.

Video Library

Instructional videos  can be checked out at General Meetings on a monthly basis for free. A $5.00 fee is charged, per month, on late returns. 

For additional Benefits and discounts, please visit our links and resource page here.