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Rotunda Show

Mar 31
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42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Visitor’s Choice Award Winners

By Rotunda Show

This year, we received over 1,200 public votes for our 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Visitor’s Choice Awards, the highest participation we’ve seen to date. Even more meaningful, every painting in the show received votes, reflecting how widely the work resonated with visitors!!  We’re happy to share the 2026 Visitor’s Choice Award winners:

1st Place ($200) – “Ol’ Blue Eyes” by Carol HasBrouck Browning

2nd Place ($100) – “The Poser” by Shelly Johnson

3rd Place (Merchandise Award – Blick Art Materials) – “South of Cascade” by Sharon Herther

4th Place (Merchandise Award – The Merri Artist) – “Henrietta the Hedgehog” by Tamara Burnett

Honorable Mentions
5th Place: “The Family That Digs Together” by Beth Trott
6th Place: “Catching Some Z’s XVIII” by Lauren Johnson                         

A special thank you to Blick Art Materials and The Merri Artist for supporting this year’s awards!!!
And a sincere thank you to all participating artists. This show is entirely volunteer driven and truly a labor of love. It exists because IWS artists are willing to share their work with the broader community in such an open and accessible space.

I’m grateful to be able to do this together.

Cheers,

Beth Trott, IWS Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Coordinator

Jan 26
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Deadline Reminders: WFWS51 and Capitol Rotunda Show

By All IWS Info, Rotunda Show, WFWS

WFWS

Only a Few More Days to enter WFWS51! The WFWS entry deadline is February 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Thank you to all who entered so far. As of Saturday, WFWS51 had received entries from 20 IWS members. Don’t wait until the last minute!  You can find the prospectus on the Colorado Watercolor Society’s WFWS webpage (https://coloradowatercolorsociety.org/western-federation-of-watercolor-societies) by clicking the yellow “download prospectus” button. Please contact Shelly Johnson if you have any questions about entering or issues with ArtCall – shellyejohnson@yahoo.com

CAPITOL ROTUNDA SHOW

Deadline to enter is February 25, 2026 or until the 75 painting limit is reached.

For full details on how to participate — including eligibility, submission requirements, and deadlines — visit the ArtCall site –  https://iwsrotundashow42.artcall.org/

Mar 17
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2025 Annual Rotunda Visitor’s Choice Awards

By Rotunda Show

Dear IWS Members,

We are thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Visitor’s Choice Awards! With over 1,100 votes cast—the highest participation since the award began in 2022—it’s clear that the public was deeply engaged with our exhibition. The enthusiasm and excitement from visitors were truly inspiring, and the results reflect the incredible talent on display.

Congratulations to our 2025 Visitor’s Choice Award winners!

1st Place – Drenda Duff – On a Memory ($200 Cash Prize)

2nd Place – Sharon Herther – Corner of Rainbow and Kokanee ($100 Cash Prize)

3rd Place – Carol Browning – Watching and Waiting ($100 Blick Art Materials Gift Certificate)

4th Place – Don Belts – Our Comfortably Rough Home Nestled in the Palouse – Fond Memories ($50 Merri Artist Gift Certificate)

A huge congratulations to these artists for capturing the admiration of so many visitors! Your work resonated deeply with the public, and this recognition is well deserved.

This award would not be possible without the dedication of Bonnie Liles, who came to the Capitol daily to collect votes and took on the daunting task of counting them all—ensuring that every visitor’s voice was heard. Thank you, Bonnie, for your hard work and dedication!

And finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s show—whether as an artist, volunteer, or enthusiastic supporter. The Visitor’s Choice Award is a celebration of the connection between artists and the public, and this year’s overwhelming response proves just how meaningful that connection can be.

Cheers,
Beth Trott
IWS Capitol Rotunda Art Show Coordinator

 

Jan 19
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Reminder: Enter the 41st Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show by Feb. 17!

By Regional Updates, Rotunda Show

This is your friendly reminder that the deadline to enter the 41st Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show is quickly approaching! The entry deadline is February 17, and spaces are limited to 75 paintings, so don’t wait—finalize your submission today. Full entry details, the prospectus, and the registration portal can be found at https://iwsrotundashow41.artcall.org/.

The Rotunda Show is a two week long, highly attended exhibition hosted by the Idaho Watercolor Society, offering a chance to showcase your work in the awe-inspiring Idaho State Capitol. This event draws a diverse audience, including art collectors, families, students, lawmakers, and community members.

As a participating artist, you’ll have the opportunity to display your artwork in this prestigious venue, connect with fellow artists, sell your paintings, and compete for prizes through the Voters’ Choice Awards, where attendees vote for their favorite pieces.

Thank you for being part of what makes this event so special. We’re excited to see your incredible work on display!

Cheers, Beth Trott

Rotunda Capitol Art Show Coordinator

bethtrott@gmail.com | 443.824.0624

Nov 21
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41st Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show

By All IWS Info, Rotunda Show

 

Welcome to the 41st Annual Rotunda Show

Registration Opens December 1st, 2024 on ArtCall 

We are thrilled to announce that preparations for the 41st Annual Rotunda Show are in full swing! This beloved
exhibition transforms the Idaho State Capitol into a vibrant showcase of talent, community, and creativity—bringing
together artists and viewers alike in celebration of watercolor.

Exhibition Dates: March 1 – 14, 2025
Opening Reception: March 8, 2025

The Rotunda Show offers Idaho Watercolor Society members a unique opportunity to share their work with the public in one
of the state’s most distinguished venues.

How to Participate
Registration opens December 1st, 2024 and will be managed through ArtCall. A link to the prospectus is included below
and is also available on the ArtCall website – https://iwsrotundashow41.artcall.org. We encourage members to review the requirements and prepare their entries in advance.

Join Us in Making the 2025 Rotunda Show Unforgettable!

Whether you’re a returning artist or joining for the first time, we look forward to seeing your unique creations on display.
Let’s make this year’s show another memorable chapter in our society’s history. We can’t wait to experience the beautiful
art that our talented members bring to the Rotunda!

Cheers,
Beth Trott
IWS Rotunda Show Coordinator

2025 Rotunda Prospectus

Mar 25
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2024 Rotunda Award Winners!

By Events, Rotunda Show

Dear IWS Members,

 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 40th Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show “Visitor’s Choice Award”! This year, we received an impressive 787 votes, marking a new record since the award’s inception in 2022. Without further delay, here are this year’s winners:

1st Place: Michael Grainger “Sugar High” ($200 Award)

2nd Place: Shelly Johnson “Happiness on a Tire Swing” ($100 Award)
3rd Place: Renee Galligher “Pink and Sweets”

Tied for 4th Place: Don Dyer “Bear Lake Country”, Sharon Herther “Autumn Lake Creek”.

Congratulations to these wonderful artists! Their work truly resonated with the public, and we commend them for their outstanding achievement.

We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to ALL of the artists who participated in this year’s IWS Rotunda Show. Your contributions have been invaluable in showcasing the diverse and exceptional talents within our watercolor community. Thank you for sharing your remarkable artwork and representing the Idaho Watercolor Society with such professionalism and excellence.

Lastly, but most importantly, we need to send a huge “thank you” to all of the many volunteers who helped the IWS organize this show. This exhibition would literally not be possible without the help of countless members who moved panels, hosted the show, provided treats for our reception, and so much more! Your dedication and hard work are deeply appreciated, and we recognize the vital role you play in making this show a reality.

This year’s Capitol Rotunda Art Show has been an incredible success. As we reflect on the achievements of this year, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to see what next year’s show will bring. With your continued passion, creativity, and volunteerism, we have no doubt that it will be even more spectacular!

Cheers,

Beth Trott and Bonnie Liles
IWS Capitol Rotunda Show Coordinators

To view the award winners – Rotunda 2024 Visitor’s Choice Announcement