“A Passionate Vision, A Clear Purpose”

The Watercolor USA Honor Society is a unique organization formed in 1985 from a broad based assemblage of inventive artists whose paintings have won awards in Watercolor USA, a competitive annual exhibition sponsored by the Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, or who have served as jurors to the exhibition. The WHS organization endeavors to cultivate and promote an interest in watermedia painting via the venue of the Watercolor USA exhibition. Through its leadership, collaborations, services, and advocacy for the kinetic medium of watercolor, WHS strives to benefit its members and the general public. WHS members contribute their time and efforts within the Society and as ambassadors at large to champion the advancement of watercolor painting.

The mission of the Watercolor USA Honor Society is to focus national attention on the Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, as a repository for conserving, preserving, and collecting watercolor painting. The Museum’s permanent collection will provide the ultimate perspective on watercolor painting from the twentieth century and beyond. Through the solicitations of gifts to the permanent collection and by direct purchases of significant works of art, WHS partners Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, as it builds the most formidable collection of contemporary watermedia paintings in existence.