Exhibitions

The Central Ohio Watercolor Society has two juried exhibitions each year--one in the spring and one in the fall.  In addition to the two juried exhibitions, there are other opportunities for members to exhibit their work throughout the year.  The information about COWS exhibits for the current year are listed below. Winners from previous exhibitions can be found here: Previous Winners

2026 Schedule

Spring Show
  • Chairperson: J.R. Starzynski
  • Dates: March 1 - March 31, 2026
  • ​Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082-9105
  • Juror/Judge: Andy Evansen (www.evansonartstudio.com)
  • Image Submission Due Date: February 12, 2026
  • Take-in: March 1, 2026, 10:30 - 12nn
  • Reception: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2-4pm
  • Up to 3 paintings can be submitted by each artist
  • Download Prospectus/Waiver Form: Click Here
  • Online Registration: Click Here

German Village Member Open Show
  • Chairperson: Pam Hartford
  • Dates: April 17 - July 10, 2026
  • Location: German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Theme: “Central Ohio Landmarks, Neighborhoods, and Gardens”
  • Image Submission Due Date: April 5, 2026
  • Drop-off: 10am-12nn, April 17, 2026
  • Artist Reception: April 23, 2026, 6-8 pm
  • Up to 3 paintings can be submitted by each artist-Artwork shown in previous shows accepted.  No year limit on age of painting.
  • Two awards - no submission fee
  • Download Prospectus/Waiver Form: Click Here
  • Online Registration: Click Here

Member Open Summer Show at Bexley Library
  • Chairperson: Randi Lewis
  • Dates: July 1 - August 31, 2026
  • Location: Bexley Library, 2411 E. Main St., Bexley, OH - Lobby 1, Lobby 2, Hallway, and Stairwell
  • Image Submission Due Date: June 15, 2026
  • Artwork shown in previous shows accepted.  No year limit on age of painting.
  • No awards and no submission fees - a way to have your artwork displayed
  • Prospectus and Registration coming in early Spring

Fall Show
  • Chairperson: Kim McMullen
  • Dates: October 28, 2026 - November 25, 2026
  • Location: Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (UALC), Mill Run Campus, 3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026
  • More details coming summer 2026
2025 Schedule
  • Fall 2025
    • Dates:  November 13, 2025 - January 8, 2026
    • Location: McConnell Arts Center (MAC), 777 Evening St. Worthington, OH  43085
    • Juror/Judge: Laurie Goldstein-Warren
    • View paintings in the show:  Click Here

  • Spring 2025
    • Dates: May 1- 31, 2025
    • Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082-9105
    • Juror/Judge: Steve Griggs (https://stevegriggswatercolor.com/)​
    • View list winners and paintings in the show:  Click Here
 
  • Summer 2025
    • Dates: June 12, 2025 - August 29, 2025
    • Location: German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
    • Theme: “Capturing the Charm of German Village in Watercolor” – Focus on German Village homes, parks, and street-scapes
2024 Schedule
2023 Schedule
Fall Show
 Summer Member Exhibition
  • Show Dates:  July 1 - July 31, 2023
  • Location:  Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082-9105
Spring Exhibition
  • Show Dates: April 6, 2023 – May 24, 2023                                                         
  • Location:  The Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Library-Main, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
  • View Images of paintings here:  2023 COWS Spring Exhibition
Member Open Exhibition
  • Dates:  Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - Tuesday, February 28, 2023
  • Location:  First Merchants Bank, 1460 Grandview Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43212
2022 Schedule
Fall Exhibition
  • Show Dates:  November 13, 2022 - December 10, 2022
  • Location:  German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St., Columbus, OH  43215
View 2022 Fall Show and Winners
German Village Paint Out Competition
Spring Exhibition
  • Show Dates:  February 27, 2022 - March 31, 2022
  • Location:  Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH  43082
List of Winners
First Place: "Pastor Andre Palm 3" by Jeri Ellis-Platt
Second Place: "Yonder Light" by Ed Kitchen
Third Place: "David" by Jim Gerkin
Honorable Mention:
  • "Five Cat Tails" by Elizabeth Martin
  • "Cbus West End" by Jeff Stahler
  • "Sunburt Barn" by Dick Leavy
  • "Grand Marals in January" by Mitch Masters
  • "Queen of the Garden" by Bess Alexander
  • "Nelli, Almost at Rest" by Laura Sommers
  • "Tea and Tulips" by Lavonne Suwalski
  • "Lola" by Anna Lucia Araya
2021 Schedule
Fall Exhibition
  • Show Dates: November 14 - December 10, 2021
  • Location: German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St., Columbus, OH
  • Judge/Juror: Yuki Hall (www.yukihallfineart.com/)
2021 Fall Exhibition and List of Winners
Spring Exhibition
  • Show Dates: April 23 – May 29, 2021
  • Location: Columbus Cultural Arts Center
  • Juror/Judge: Jeff Suntala
2021 COWS Spring Exhibition and List of Winners
2020 Schedule
Fall Exhibition
Show Dates: Mid-November - December 31, 2020
Location: Virtual - Available through this website
Juror: Tom Sorrell, President of OWS
2020 Fall Virtual Show and List of Winners
Spring Show
Show Dates: March 12, 2020 - June 26, 2020
Location: The Carnegie Gallery, Columbus, Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215

Show Winners: (Awards will be presented at the Fall Show)
1st Place: "Enlighten" by Susan Brickner-Wren
2nd Place: "Brookside" by Ed Kitchen
3rd Place: "Columbus Marathon" by Jeff Stahler
Honorable Mention:
"Secret Garden" by Nancy Clelland
"Nested" by Jeri Ellis-Platt
"Warm-up at President's Cup" by Pam Hartford
A virtual tour of the exhibit is below.  The tour begins with a walk through the halls and then a close-up view of the individual paintings and the artist statements.  Enjoy!

2019 COWS Fall Show
Show Dates: November 17, 2019 - December 13, 2019
Location: German Village Exhibit Hall, German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St, Columbus, OH
Juror: Chris Leeper

Show Winners:
Best of Show: "Gathering Grapes" by Suzanne Accetta
1st Place: "Purdy Puddles" by Rick Mock
2nd Place: "Bobby Broom" by Jeff Stahler
3rd Place: "Sunbury" by Lavonne Suwalski
Honorable Mention:
"Artisans" by Ron Mlicki
"He's Singing to Me" by Pam Hartford
"Steaming Coffee" by Sandra Gaunt
"Haitian Palm 4" by Jeri Ellis-Platt
2019 German Village Haus and Garten Tour Paint-Out
Competition Date: Sunday, June 30, 2019
  • COWS Members only

2019 COWS Spring Show
Show Dates: April 30 - July 7, 2019
Location: The Faculty Club at the Ohio State University, 181 South Oval Drive, Columbus, OH
Juror: Thomas Schroeder (www.thomasschroederart.com)

Show Winners:
1st Place: "Morning Light, Burt Street, Cody Heichel
2nd Place: "Joyful Praise", Suzanne Accetta
3rd Place: "Winter Shadows", Charles Rowland
Honorable Mention:
"Pueblo Nation", Ron Mlicki
"Whoo Goes There", Sally Ford-Lyles
"Parkside Lane", Lavonne Suwalski
"End of Day", Christianne Curry