American Watercolor Society, est. 1866

American Watercolor Society records, 1867-1977 bulk 1950-1970

3.6 linear ft.

Exhibition records; correspondence; exhibition catalogs; financial information; photographs; record and account books, and clippings.

The collection provides scattered documentation of the operations and activities of one of the oldest continuously operating artists' organizations in the United States and includes records of its administration and history, membership, and exhibitions, as well as printed material and photographs.

Records documenting the founding, history, and operations of the society are found in the administration and history series. Included are written histories and material on the 1941 merger with the New York Water Color Club, including an updated Constitution and By-Laws. Also found here are reports, committee documents, administrative correspondence, records of participation in national art events, and financial records.

The membership records include a membership roster notebook, dating from 1953-1961, lists of members, member biographies, and correspondence regarding membership. The society's exhibition files include a bound volume of the record of works shown in the annual exhibition from 1897 to 1904, as well as files on a few other annual exhibitions and exchange exhibitions with other countries. These files contain scattered correspondence, price lists, exhibition checklists and printed material.

A small amount of printed material in the collection includes a booklet entitled, Water-Color Painting: Some Facts and Authorities in Relation to Its Durability, distributed by the society in 1868, as well as news clipping about events and exhibitions, newsletters, and other published items. Photographs are of members, jurors, events, painting demonstrations, and artwork.

REEL 497: 1 v. of a record of works shown in exhibitions 30-37, 1897-1904, listing the artist, title of work, name of owner, price, and agent.

Researchers may also want to consult Archives of American Art microfilm reels N68-8 through N68-10, to see additional exhibition materials, correspondence, photographs, and administrative records which were lent for microfilming in 1968, some of which was not returned with subsequent donations, and which are not described in the container listing of the finding aid for the collection.

Location of Originals: Reels N68-8 through N68-10: Originals returned to American Watercolor Society after microfilming.

Donated by the American Watercolor Society Records in 1978, except for portions of material on reels N68-8 -N68-10 were lent for microfilming in 1968, and the bound volume of the record of works shown in annual exhibitions, 1897-1904, reel 497, was lent for microfilming in 1972 then subsequently donated 1978 by the American Antiquarian Society.

How to Use this Collection

• Use requires and appointment. Microfilm portion must be consulted on microfilm.
• Microfilm reels N68-8, N68-10, and 497 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
• Please read the Finding Aid for more detailed information on this collection.
• Selected images of documents in this collection are online.
• For more information on using resources at the Archives of American Art, please visit our Ask Us page