Our History

Founded in 1980, the Florida Keys Watercolor Society (FKWCS) is one of the oldest artist-led societies in the Florida Keys. It began with 10 passionate painters and in less than two years, the society had grown to over 65 members.

This year, 2026 will mark our 46th year of painting together in the Keys! We celebrate the founding artists whose dedication and enthusiasm for expressing creativity and beauty through watercolor has been one of our greatest gifts. The newly formed inaugural show of the Florida Keys Watercolor Society was held in Key West in 1982 at the East Martello Museum. The first exhibitions were juried.

The first juror was Dorla Dean Slider, a member of the prestigious American Watercolor Society. Out of 120 paintings entered only 46 were selected to be shown.  In 1995, after years of relocating the show in numerous locations, the society finally found a permanent home  for exhibiting art work at the Marathon Community Theatre. The FKWCS Annual Exhibition has been presented every year since its inception. 

From juried and judged shows, the FKWCS members are now welcomed to enter an annual exhibit where their works of art may be shown to the public and are offered for purchased. This allows all members of all levels of painting to come together in fellowship.