Idaho Watercolor Society

03/22/2026

Come see this beautiful painting by Anne Sorensen Watercolor on display at The 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show - until March 28th!

“We the People”
A crowd of faces,
Distinct yet bound together—
Woven into one belonging. On display at the Capitol building Rotunda Show through March 27th, 4th floor. 🇺🇸

03/16/2026

What does it take to transform the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda into an art gallery? A LOT of helping hands!!.🙌

Early Saturday morning, a dedicated team of volunteers began unloading panels, building walls, checking in artwork, and carefully placing each painting. Piece by piece, the space came to life.

By the end of the day, 75 watercolor paintings from artists across Idaho were hanging in the Rotunda, creating one of the most anticipated annual art exhibitions in our state.

The 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show is now open, and everyone is welcome to visit!!

Come walk the Rotunda “gallery”, discover beautiful watercolor work, and cast a ballot for your favorite painting in our Visitor’s Choice Award.

And if you’d like to meet some of the artists, please join us for the public reception!

Capitol Rotunda Art Show
March 15–28, 2026
Idaho State Capitol – 4th Floor Rotunda
Open daily, 7 AM – 7 PM
Free & open to the public

Artists’ Reception
Saturday, March 21
11 AM – 2 PM

A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who make this show possible every year, and to the artists who share their work with our community. 🎨

03/12/2026

IWS Artist Spotlight: Renee Galligher Watercolor Artist

In her watercolor paintings, Renee Galligher focuses on capturing the emotion of a subject — whether it’s a landscape, a beloved pet, or a quiet still life.

Her painting “Forbidden Fruit” explores the beauty of everyday objects. The piece is created using a poured watercolor technique, where only three colors are allowed to mix directly on the paper, creating the layered tones and subtle shifts seen in the heirloom tomatoes.

While poured watercolor can often lead to abstract effects, this painting remains remarkably observational and grounded, capturing the natural forms and colors of tomatoes at different stages of ripening.

“Forbidden Fruit” will be on display as part of The 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show , featuring 75 watercolor paintings by artists from across Idaho.

Idaho State Capitol Building
March 15–28
7am–7pm daily
Free and open to the public

Guests are invited to vote for their favorite artwork in the Visitor’s Choice Award.

03/10/2026

The 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show opens this Sunday!

Presented by the Idaho Watercolor Society, this annual exhibition features 75 original watercolor paintings by artists from across Idaho, displayed in the beautiful Rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building.

The show will be on view March 15–28, and is FREE and open to the public during Capitol hours (7am–7pm, seven days a week).

Visitors are also invited to participate in the Voter’s Choice Award by casting a ballot for their favorite painting.

Join us in celebrating watercolor, creativity, and the incredible artists of our region.

Artists’ Reception
Saturday, March 21
11 AM – 2 PM
Meet the Artists - Refreshments Provided

We hope to see you at the Rotunda!

02/03/2026

Elizabeth Van Tassel’s “Midnight Serenade” captures the quiet magic of twilight along the Payette River. Painted en plein air in gouache, this nocturne explores the sacred moments when darkness gives way to light, reflecting themes of renewal and rebirth.

Gouache adds a unique depth and luminosity to this piece, setting it apart from traditional watercolor and enhancing the river’s silver shimmer and the deepening midnight blues.

Experience this work (and so many more) at the 42nd Annual Idaho Watercolor Society Capitol Rotunda Art Show, March 15–28, 2026. Artists’ Reception on March 21, 2026 ~ 11am - 2pm

Don’t forget: If you’re visiting, make sure to vote for your favorite painting in the Visitor’s Choice Award and join us for the Artists’ Reception on Saturday, March 21, 11am–2pm.