Announcing the Winners of the Shade Challenge!

To view the YouTube version of this announcement, please click on the link below. 

Honorable Mention 1: S. Dearing – Minerva in the Morning

A whimsical and deeply personal interpretation of the theme. The composition is totally engaging, and the image literally made me smile the moment I saw it. That emotional lift was everything! “Shade” is present here in more than one sense.

Honorable Mention 2: Shelley Prior – Window Box

Impeccably rendered. I love the play of verticals, horizontals, and diagonals! The structure and composition sings. And the shadows breathe!


Honorable Mention 3: Katarina Vidmar – Ancestors, Slovenia

Katarina uses color to create shade and light in a way that’s joyous and full of movement. I love the all-over patterning, the sense of rhythm and movement, and the way light is conveyed not just through desaturation but pure color.


Winner: Bridgitte Klassen – La beauté au naturel

This piece floored me. The rendering of shadows on white flowers is extraordinary, not just the color in the shadows, but the light through the petals. You can feel their texture. A moving portrayal of the beauty of nature and its cycles. Congratulations Bridgitte!

The SHADE challenge asked artists to explore how light, shadow, tone, and depth can be a language of their own and I was floored not only by the number, but the quality of responses! You really gave ME a challenge!

Thank you again to all who entered! It was an honour to experience all your work!

– Milena Guberinic

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The winner will receive a custom SHADE selection of Rockwell paints, while the runners up will each receive a surprise package in the mail. 

Thank you to everyone who took part in this challenge. We look forward to your participation in our next contest. 

2025 United Through Watercolour Exhibition

New information!

We are pleased to finally present the show rules and our sign up form to submit work for our 2025 United Through Watercolour exhibition at the Etobicoke Civic Centre in Toronto.

Located conveniently for easy access, 10 minutes from the airport, and 2 minutes from major highways by the 427 and Burnhamthorpe.

This year we are happy to announce a full month of your artwork on display, in the vast halls of the Etobicoke Civic Centre. From September 28 to October 24th.
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​On the weekend of the 28th we will have plein air events, outings, demos, awards and lots more. More info to come…

For now here are the details on how to register and the rules around the show.

More info in the document link below, but here are some Some FAQ’s answered.

  • Hanging fee is $50 for (max 2 pieces. $75 for a 3rd piece) work framed and dropped off on September 21 from 1pm to 5pm at the ECC.
  • Registration is to be paid by e-transfer to iwscanada@gmail.com
  • This show is for IWS Canada members only*
  • *For those wishing to join IWS Canada to take part in this show, we have a promotion of $80 which includes the hanging fee and one year membership with IWS Canada. email iwscanada@gmail.com for more info.
  • If you are sending in work, please contact us, as we can store your work and mail it back for an extra fee. $100 for framing and matting (Does not include purchase of frame and matte. Extra charge should you want your artwork sent back to you with said matte and frame)
  • Artists are responsible for shipping costs to and from the show.
  • Hanging day is September 21 from 1 to 5pm,
  • Opening Reception, demos and prizes are September 28th from 1 to 5pm at the ECC.
  • October 24th all paintings must be removed from the gallery.
  • AI is not allowed.
  • Framed prints are allowed only in special request circumstances. Please contact us if this pertains to you to discuss.

For the full rules please download the PDF here:
⁦https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vgm8vpXLUYjhQqtiYrFwRli55GqkpyoJ/view?usp=share_link⁩

To submit artwork please follow the link below:
⁦https://form.jotform.com/241318234733250⁩

All registration must be completed by August 1st.
​No more works will be accepted after this date. If you are mailing works they must also be received by this date. If you require more time, please let us know.

And email iwscanada@gmail.com for any further questions.

Thank you!
We look forward to seeing your art, and to a great 2025 show!

Ian Wright
President IWS Canada

Download a copy of the rules and regulations

Winner of “Best in IWS Canada” Contest


We are pleased to announce the winner, Lorraine Simonds for our “Best of IWS Canada” Contest, for her painting “Flower Gal”, to represent us as the showpiece painting for our publications around the IWS Canada exhibition September 28th to October 24th at The Etobicoke Civic Centre.
Our expert judge and master watercolour artist Luan Quach had this to say about her work.
“Flower Gal” bursts with youthful energy and charm. The soft pinks and peaches flow effortlessly, capturing the spontaneity and transparency that define watercolour. Full of life and colour, this piece beautifully reflects the spirit of IWS Canada and our theme “United Through Watercolour”—a joyful reminder of how art brings us together.”
Thank you to all who submitted work. The choice was very difficult and many equally excellent paintings were in consideration.
There will be more info in the days to come as to how include your work in this show. Stay tuned…

Annual Art Show !

Our annual art show is fast approaching.

We are excited to announce that this year your artwork will now hang for an entire month in the very elegant space of the Etobicoke Civic Centre. (Former City hall for Etobicoke back before the days of the “Megacity” of Toronto)

Hanging day is September 21st and Opening day is September 28th!

Paintings will be on display until October 24th.

Click here to see the rules for displaying your art work at the show.

For those mailing artwork from other provinces or countries, please email iwscanada@gmail.com to make arrangements.

There is a $50 hanging fee for this show.

The artist is responsible for all shipping costs.

Work should be ready to hang, however should you require your work to be matted and framed, it will be an extra $100 for the service.

(we will return artwork framed or unframed in the condition in which it arrived.)

Our deadline to receive all artwork will be August 1st. For those who live in the Toronto area and wish to drop if off, you can do so on the hanging day of September 21st. This is encouraged, however if this is not possible for you, please email Ian at iwscanada@gmail.com to make arrangements.

Lots more info will be coming in the next weeks, including paint outs, awards, and workshops surrounding our opening day on September 28th, so stay tuned.

In the next week we will post the official call for artworks with registration form.

in the meantime check out the rules for applying and if you have any questions please email iwscanada@gmail.com

Deadline for “Best of IWS Canada” contest .. June 8th

Hi there!

We have extended our deadline for our “Best of IWS Canada” contest!

we are looking for an iconic painting for the cover of our promotions for our September show.

Do you feel you have what it takes to represent IWS Canada?

Send your work to the following link before June 8th!

The winner will be judged by our expert advisor Luan Quach based on merit and excellence!

Due date June 8th