Philadelphia Water Color Society upcoming events

Preserving a Picturesque America (October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join us for a presentation on the ongoing project by Preserving a Picturesque America to recreate and preserve the landscapes originally presented in a historic publication from the 1870s.

View of the Schuylkill River from the heights at Belmont, circa 1874.

Chestnut Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River, circa 1874.

Powder Mill on Brandywine Creek, circa 1872.

Picturesque America is a two-volume set, originally published in the 1870s, that describes and illustrates landscapes from across the United States. This publication captured the imagination of many and played a significant role in the formation of American movements in conservation and historic preservation.

Preserving a Picturesque America aims to enlist artists throughout the country to locate the sites featured in this publication, to recreate them, and help in their preservation. You can find out more about them at:

Find out more about Preserving a Picturesque America at:

You can also view the original publications via the Internet Archive:

Volume 1: archive.org/details/picturesqueameri01brya/mode/2up (includes Delaware River Gap and Brandywine Creek)
Volume 2: archive.org/details/picturesqueameri02brya/mode/2up (includes Philadelphia)

This event will be recorded and made available on our YouTube channel.

Painting People with Kenneth Call (October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join us for a two-day workshop with award-winning watercolorist Kenneth Call.

This Seat Is Taken! by Kenneth Call

About the Workshop

Each day will begin with a demonstration and end with critique and discussion. On day 1, attendees will bring something of their own to paint regardless of the subject matter. It can be landscapes, flowers, people, etc. On the second day, you'll focus on painting people from reference photos provided by Ken well-before the workshop.

This workshop is appropriate for both beginners and experienced painters. You should bring several samples of their work on the first day for him to review. You should also already drawn the people onto your paper prior to the second day.

Download his recommended materials.

Sheltered Again!, a watercolor painting by Kenneth Call that was awarded best of show in the 124th International Exhibition of Works on Paper.

About Kenneth Call

Born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois, Kenneth Call went on to graduate from the American Academy of Art in 1980 with an Associates Degree in Illustration and Watercolor. He has worked as a freelance artist nationally for many years. Ken spent 1993 and 1994 studying and painting in Paris, France. He is now living in Northbrook Illinois with his wife and two children. After beginning his career as a studio artist, he soon branched out on his own, beginning a very successful freelance career, which to date has led to the creation of over 500 illustrations for books, magazines, art publishers, advertising agencies and corporations.

Ken in the last few years has made the transition to fine art and portraiture. Many of his originals are hanging in galleries and homes across the country. Several awards have led to Signature status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society and Transparent Watercolor Society Master along with being a Master Signature member with the Illinois Watercolor Society.

call4portraits.com

Painting People with Kenneth Call (October 17, 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join us for a two-day workshop with award-winning watercolorist Kenneth Call.

This Seat Is Taken! by Kenneth Call

About the Workshop

Download his recommended materials.

Sheltered Again!, a watercolor painting by Kenneth Call that was awarded best of show in the 124th International Exhibition of Works on Paper.

About Kenneth Call

call4portraits.com

Awards Reception - 126th International Exhibition of Works on Paper (October 18, 2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Join us for an awards reception for the 126th International Exhibition of Works on Paper at the Wayne Art Center.

Z.L. Feng's Winter Tree, an award-winning watercolor painting in the 126th International Exhibition of Works on Paper.

This afternoon event will include our recognition of the exhibition's award winners and our new signature members. Refreshments will be provided. This reception is free and open to the public, but we ask that you register so we can get a headcount for catering.

(Check out our two-day workshop Painting People with Kenneth Call, which is also at the Wayne Art Center.)