Major Exhibition brings watercolor from across the US

E-NEWS • FEBRUARY 2026

Headliners

Major Exhibitions

49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition
February 20 – April 25, 2026

Explore watercolor and water media works by accomplished painters from across the United States in the 49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition. Since 1975, the Society has celebrated watercolor as a vital art form. Enhance your visit with a guided tour for an inside look at the techniques, inspiration, and stories behind some of the works.

Guided tours for any group of 4 or more people are free for members or included with admission—call (850) 627-5023 to make a reservation for your group.

Image: Mary Ellen McLaughlin (Savannah, GA), Echoes of the East, 2025, watercolor, 27 x 19 inches

The Future of Gadsden Arts

Vision 2030: The Art of Enduring Impact

Thank you donors who have brought us to 71% of our $1,000,000 goal!

At Gadsden Arts, while we are working every day to bring world-class art experiences to everyone, we are always looking forward. Vision 2030: the Art of Enduring Impact improves our signature spaces and grows endowment*.

Vision 2030 funds state-of-the-art facility updates that will elevate the quality of every visit, improve audio accessibility, facilitate online sharing of our cultural programs, and ensure the best care of owned and borrowed collections.

Vision 2030 also advances our strategic goal to grow the Gadsden Arts Endowment Trust to $2M in permanently restricted principal. This resource supports our museum-quality facilities and ensures that our programs continue to benefit everyone without interruption, now and long into the future.

While funding annual programs is always our top priority, consider Vision 2030 if you would like to make a long-term investment in Gadsden Arts.

Contact Grace Robinson, 850.627.5020 or grace@gadsdenarts.org.

Image: Mona Lisa is 71% painted. Help us finish our masterpiece!

*Current endowment value $1.8M+

Invest in Vision 2030

2 Weeks with the Arts

2 Weeks with the Arts – Thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who created, supported, and experienced
2 Weeks with the Arts 2026, our annual fundraiser to support Gadsden Arts programs in our community. Our 2 Weeks with the Arts Team created spectacular events, our Collect Selection Committee and distinguished Collect Select Artists created a beautiful exhibition and memorable reception, and our sponsors, art collectors, and event patrons made 2 Weeks with the Arts made a fantastic fundraiser. Together, we celebrated the art of creative living in memorable ways while raising funds to support Gadsden Arts programs this year. Thank you.

Keep an eye on gadsdenarts.org – a slide show of pictures from throughout the two weeks is coming soon!

Things to do

Save the Date

49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition

Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony
February 20, 2026, from 5pm – 7:30pm

Join us for the Opening Reception of the 49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition. Be among the first to see this fantastic exhibition and hear the award winners announced by Iain Stewart, an internationally recognized and collected watercolor artist, instructor, and juror. Enjoy light refreshments from Big Papa’s Chophouse and celebrate an evening of outstanding contemporary art.

Dine & Discover

Watercolor & Watermedia Dine & Discover Luncheon
Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 12pm–1:30pm

Join us for our Dine & Discover Luncheon to explore the 49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 12–1:30pm. Enjoy a social luncheon and presentation that explores the fine art of watercolor and watermedia, from traditional to contemporary techniques, and learn more about award-winning art and artists from across the country featured in the exhibition.

Reservations close Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 5pm

Youth & Family

Free Family Saturdays at Gadsden Arts

Every Saturday 10 AM – 4:30 PM / Free Admission

Let your creativity flow this February! Begin in the ArtZone, where art activities change every month so there’s always something new to explore. Explore the entire museum through our treasure hunt, and enjoy the Reading Corner. Bring family and friends for a fun-filled day of creating, discovering, reading, and winning prizes—and before you leave, take home an Art @ Home Kit and book, all free of charge.

Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank, with support from the Jacarlene Foundation, and in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden. All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors, sponsors Patsy and Mark Bates and Sunnyside Farm Management, with support from the Community Foundation of North Florida. Art @ Home Kits are sponsored by TDS Telecom.

Things to see

Fletcher Museum Shop

Shop here and support local talent this year!

Explore the Fletcher Museum Shop at Gadsden Arts, where you can find unique creations by regional artists. Whether you’re searching for handmade jewelry, beautiful home decor, or exclusive artwork, you will find a wide array of affordable handmade items. Support local artists and take home something truly special today!

Regional Art

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild

On display through March 14, 2026

Enjoy the first Artist’s Guild exhibition of 2026, on view in the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum’s Bates Community Room and Bates Gallery through March 14, 2026. On display is artwork by Nancy Adams, Wendy Adams, Inger Avant, Terrie Corbett, Robert DeWitt Smith, Brenda Francis, Mark Georgiades, Terry Hawkins, William Hugh McKeown, Pam McLean, Morris H. Miller, Barbara Psimas, Roger Raepple, Fred Sanguiliano, Jenny Swearingen, Joel Thornton, Amy Warrick, and Lisa Waxman.

Artist’s Guild Info

Explore Our Exhibitions

COMING SOON

49th Annual Southern Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition
opens February 20, 2026

COMING SOON

Art and Our Environment:
Beth Appleton, Mark Messersmith,
Jesse Aaron, Bessie Harvey, and

Bob Bischoff opens in May 2026

Roopali Kambo: Resonance

On view through

March 21, 2026

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild
On view through

March 14, 2026

What’s happening!

Creative Futures Council

An Unforgettable Exhibition

We are proud to share a look back at the incredible Creative Futures Council and their exhibition Scenes of Us, which explored how today’s youth interpret and respond to their environments and uncertainties with honesty, creativity, and heart. It continues to be such a joy and an honor to watch them grow, gain confidence, and shine, and we are deeply grateful to their families and supporters who make this meaningful program possible.

The Creative Futures Council is made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors, Art Bridges (in support of the Alfred Conteh art education project), and Sunnyside Farm Management.

Support Art for Children & Youth

Membership

Unlock Year-Round Discovery with a Gadsden Arts Membership

A Gadsden Arts membership offers year-round discovery in the captivating world of art and culture—perfect for yourself or as a gift for someone special! Depending on your membership level, you’ll enjoy free admission for 2 to 4 people to explore a rotating schedule of up to seventeen exhibitions throughout the year. Your membership also offers discounts on events, complimentary access to evening programs, early reservations for art trips, and 10-20% off purchases in the Fletcher Museum Shop. We hope to see you at Gadsden Arts soon, and often!

Join Gadsden Arts

Save the Date

Attention Artists: 38th Art in Gadsden Applications Open
April 1, 2026!

Artists, get ready! Applications for the 38th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition will open on April 1, 2026. This highly anticipated exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your work as part of Gadsden Arts’ longstanding tradition. Artists who are current members of Gadsden Arts and live within 200 miles of Quincy, Florida, or are former Gadsden County residents are invited to apply.

Applications open April 1, 2026, and are due by 5pm on May 15, 2026.

Image: D. Arthur McBride, Against All Odds, 2023, oil on linen, Best of Show award winner, 37th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition

In the community