President – Elizabeth Gilbert
1st Vice President – Vacant
2nd Vice President – Tom Young
Past President – Marlene Madole
Directors:
Director – Alice Bottrill
Director – Jean Pederson
Director – Sandra (Sam) L. Boehner
Director – Susan Garrington
Director – Helen Shideler
Director – Wrex Roth
Director – Gord Jones
Regional Directors:
Atlantic Region – Gary McFarland
Quebec Region – Vacant
Northern Ontario – Vacant
Southern Ontario – Anita Wood
The Prairies Region – Yuliya Alagir
British Columbia & the North Region – Hugh Partridge
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
New Membership Committee Chair – Alice Bottrill
Open Water Chair & Open Water Awards Chair 2026 – Elizabeth Gilbert
Royal Collection Project, Phase III, For the 100th Anniversary– Linda Kemp
100th Presidents’ Book for His Majesty King Charles III– Jean Pederson
Archives Chair – Marlene Madole
Awards Review Chair – Vacant
Sally Jarvis Sloan Members’ Award– Doug Driediger
CSPWC Diploma Collection Chair – Marlene Madole
Education Chair – Vacant
Fundraising, Chair Foundations & Grants – Vacant
John B. Aird Gallery Representative – Vacant
Membership Chair – Missy Acker
Newsletter Chair – Doug Driediger
Nominating Committee – Vacant
Social Media Chair – Wrex Roth
Website Chair – Norman Choo
History
The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) was founded in 1925 by some of the most illustrious artists in Canadian Art history who passionately believed in the importance of water colour as a medium. The CSPWC encourages experimentation while honouring the transparent tradition of the medium.
With a strong base of volunteers, the CSPWC:
- honours excellence in water colour through Open Water an annual juried exhibition with major awards, open to all artists.
- presents regional, national and international exhibitions of work by members.
- organizes workshops and demonstrations across the country.
- collects contemporary and historical Canadian water colours.
- online, streaming, in person learning sessions, and symposiums are produced and offered regularly.
- Funded by a bequest of a long time CSPWC member, the Ethel Racius Award* is offered annually to a student of Central Technical School in Toronto – a high school specializing in arts education.
* Ethel Racius (1920-2006) became a member in 1963. Won the Honour Award (best in CSPWC Annual show) 5 years before her membership in 1958. The Award started in 2007.