INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD 2026 (ENG)

All artists of any nationality, provided they are of legal age (18+).

The theme is open. Works must be created using the pure watercolor technique. Experimentation and innovation are accepted, provided that the essence of the technique is not altered.

• They must be unpublished: never submitted to other competitions or published in magazines, catalogs, or online platforms.
• Maximum size: half a sheet (approximately 60 × 40 cm) – minimum size (30 x 40 cm)
• Photographs must be faithful, without filters or retouching, and contain only the image of the work, without backgrounds.
• High-resolution files (minimum 2MB, 300 dpi).
• Digital works or works created with artificial intelligence are not allowed.
• Failure to comply with even one of the requirements will result in immediate disqualification.

Registration is exclusively online, via email, upon payment of the participation fee.

Each artist may submit 1 to 3 works.

To register, send an email to: award@accademiainternazionaledellacquarello.com

attaching:

• Completed registration form (Please note: to fill out the registration form, click on the download link at the bottom of the page)
• Image(s) of the works in .jpg format (2MB – 300 dpi), naming the files with: country, author, title, dimensions
• Proof of payment of the registration fee

Registration period: January 1, 2026, to March 28, 2026 (deadline: March 28 at 11:59 p.m. local time-CET).

Payment methods:

• PayPal: paypal.me/accintacquarello
• OR: Bank transfer to:
• Banca di Credito Cooperativo (BCC) di Carate Brianza – Monza Branch
• IBAN: IT54 S084 4020 4000 0000 0282 162
• BIC: CRCBIT22XXX
• Account holder: Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello
• Reason for payment: Registration for the International Watercolor Academy Award

Participation fees (the fee listed below includes the €15 registration fee to become a Friend of the Academy):

• €35 for 1 work
• €50 for 2 works
• €70 for 3 works

After verifying payment, AIDA will send official confirmation of registration via email.

The fee is non-refundable in case of non-selection.

The jury will be composed of internationally renowned master artists:

Chieng Chung Wei – Taiwan
Charles Williams – England
Ricky Huang – China
Erik Roads – USA
David Taylor – Australia
Charles Villeneuve – Spain
Tiziana Tagliabue – Jury President – Italy
The works will be evaluated autonomously and independently according to the criteria of composition, originality, and technical quality.

The jury’s decisions are final and unquestionable.

• April 1, 2026 — First selection: official announcement of selected artists and issuance of certificates.
• April 15, 2026 — Second selection: official announcement of finalists and issuance of certificates.
• April 28, 2026 — Third selection and issuance of certificates.
• May 5, 2026 — Announcement of winners and 10 special mentions.

The awards ceremony will be held during the “LUMINIS ORAE” event (June 5–7) during the closing ceremony on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Frascati.

Dates are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.

The winning and mentioned watercolors will be exhibited at the International Exhibition during the event of the International Watercolor Academy “Luminis Horae” in Frascati for the three days of the event and published in the catalog.

First prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor painting during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Participation in an international exhibition of the International Watercolor Academy 2027 together with the great Masters of Watercolor Painting.
2- A certificate.
3- Watercolor painting materials.
4- Publication of videos and interviews on social media and on the website.

Second Prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate.
2- Watercolor materials.
3- Publication and dissemination of videos on social media.

Third Prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate
2- Watercolor materials
3- Publication and dissemination of video on social media

Honorable Mentions
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate
2- Publication and dissemination of video on social media

The International Watercolor Academy reserves the right to cancel or postpone the competition in the event of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. In the event of cancellation, fees will be refunded.

The copyright of the works remains with the artist.

The data collected will be used exclusively for the competition and its promotion.

The Organization reserves the right to use the works for any publications on the internet, in
magazines, newspapers, posters, and for use in film and television.
By registering, competitors authorize the Organization to process their personal data in accordance with Legislative Decree 196/2003 and subsequent amendments and additions, for the purposes set out in this announcement and for sending competitors material relating to future initiatives that are planned. During the Impromptu, during the exhibition of the works and at the award ceremony, filming with video cameras, cameras, and TV cameras is authorized.
Failure to comply with any rule of these regulations is grounds for exclusion from the Competition.
For anything not covered in these rules and for any disputes, all authority will be entrusted to Tiziana Tagliabue, President of the Jury, and her decision will be final.

The winners