President – Sam L. Boehner
1st Vice President – Marlene Madole
2nd Vice President – Poppy Balser
Treasurer – Vacant
Past President – Jean Pederson
Directors:
Director – Deanna Beaujot
Director – Wendy Hoffmann
Director – Anthony Saldutto
Director – Brittney Tough
Director – Jennifer Annesley
Director – Missy Acker
Director – Helen Shideler
Regional Directors:
BC and the North – Alice Bottrill
Alberta and the Prairies – Brent Laycock
Western Ontario – Anita Wood
Northern Ontario – Ellen Catherwood
Central Ontario – Vacant
Eastern Ontario – Vacant
Quebec Region – Shari Blaukopf
Atlantic Region – Vacant
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Open Water Chair 2022 & 2023 – Rayne Tunley
Open Water Chair, Awards Chair – Vacant
Awards Review Chair – Vacant
2025-2026 100th Anniversary Projects Chair – Marlene Madole
Royal Collection Project, Phase 3, the 2025 Collection – Linda Kemp
Publicity Chair – Helen Shideler
Social Media – Deanna Beaujot
Website – Norman Choo
Newsletter Chair – Vacant
Education Chair – Poppy Balser
Fundraising, Chair Foundations & Grants – Marlene Madole
Membership Chair – Missy Acker
Membership Committee Applicants Jury Chair – Elizabeth Gilbert
Archives Chair – Marlene Madole
CSPWC Diploma Collection Chair – Marlene Madole
John B. Aird Gallery Representative – Ellen Catherwood
Nominating Committee – Marlene Madole, and Two Vacancies from the Elected Membership
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 watercolour 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 watercolour 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 watercolours.
- Education is an important part of our mandate. Since 1991 we have been sponsoring Awards for Excellence in Watercolour at Colleges of Art & Design in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta. There is also the Ethel Racius Award available at the high school level.
Beginnings
CSPWC meeting in the Library of the Grange, Toronto c. 1932.
Left to right: Joachim Gauthier, Franklin Carmichael, A.J.Casson, Thomas W. MacLean and Conyers Barker.
Photograph by Charles Comfort.