• About
  • Calendar
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Newsletters
  • Shows
  • Workshops
    • Previous Workshops
  • Classes
  • Membership
    • Gallery
    • Portfolios
  • Scholarships
  • Information
    • List of Current Members
    • Officers/Committees
    • COWS Bylaws
    • Favorite Links
    • History of COWS
  • Contact COWS
  • Artistic Support
    • Ned Moore Library
Central Ohio Watercolor Society

About

The Central Ohio Watercolor Society was founded in 1964 and is the preeminent transparent watercolor society in the region. Founding members include notable central Ohio painters Richard Bauer, Don Dodrill, Mary Lou Jackson, Byron Kohn, Leland McClelland, Richard Phipps and Edward Tracy. Watercolor artists must apply and are juried into the society. Most of the members are award winning artists with regional and national reputations.

Modern technology has produced many new "water media" products, referring to any medium that is water soluble, and there are many societies that present opportunities to exhibit work created with these new products. However, the Central Ohio Watercolor Society remains dedicated to its original purpose to promote and preserve the unique character of transparent watercolor.

Watercolor is unique in its unparalleled ability to portray light. Your style may be tight or loose, fast or slow, thick or thin, and bright or subtle. We celebrate its uniqueness!

Pay Annual Membership Fees
NEXT MEETING:
September 13, 2026, John Cameron Watercolor Demonstration
Location: Whetstone Public Library
3909 N High St
Columbus, OH. 
43214
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
View Details on Calendar Here

Fall Show
Dates: November 1-November 25, 2026
Location: Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (UALC)
Reception/Awards: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Complete Online Registration and Image Submission:
October 5, 2026 by 11:59 pm
Registration/Image Submission/Prospectus: Click Here

Fall Workshop
Dates: Thursday, October 22, 2026 and Friday, October 23, 2026
Artist: Dr. Gary Brooks
​Workshop Flyer/Registration:  Click Here​

MEETINGS
Second Sunday of the month
January thru May and
September thru December


see Calendar for details
“The purpose of the society is to further interest in, and status of, the use of transparent watercolor for the benefit of each member and for the development of public interest in the medium”.
© Central Ohio Watercolor Society. All rights reserved. Individual artworks are copyrighted by each respective artist.
Updated: 9/7/2026