The Brevard Watercolor Society’s (BWS) annual art show, “Splash! of Watercolor,” is the largest display and sale of original watercolor paintings in Brevard County, Florida.  Splash! attracts hundreds of artists and art lovers to participate in the show and fund-raising events that occur throughout the weekend. Celebrating its 26th year, Splash! will be held on February 14-15, 2026 at the Azan Shriner Center on Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, Florida.

The weekend’s highlight is the BWS Member Art Show in which artists of all levels showcase their amazing creations in the Judged Show, Showcase Gallery and Small Works Gallery.

Splash! Judged Show

The artworks in the Judged Show are assessed by nationally known jurors who select the best of the best to be recognized for their work, but the show is not just about judging and winning awards. Laurie Griffin (Splash! Show Chair 2020-2025) said “Splash is not about the awards and ribbons, it’s about participation and allowing the BWS artists to come together to share their talent and their love of art with each other and our community.”

Showcase & Small Works Galleries

Works in the Showcase and Small Works Galleries are not included in the judging.

The Showcase Gallery allows BWS artists to display some of the new things they are trying, including experimental works. It has more liberal policies for framing and reference materials.

The Small Works Gallery is a fundraiser for the BWS Art and Education Fund. Paintings are 8”x8” matted and framed in matching 12”x12” frames and are all available for sale. A portion of each Small Works sale is donated by the artist to the fund.

Student Show

Splash! also features a Student Show. BWS works with local schools from junior high level to college to host a section of the show for students in our area. Students volunteer their time and talent and gain valuable experience through participation in the show. Georgi Gellales, Eastern Florida State College Adjunct Art Instructor, stated that her students “have benefitted greatly through participation in Splash.” In addition to learning from interaction with the BWS artists, the opportunity to display work has led to sales and future partnerships for some of her students.

Splash! Events & Features

Splash! begins on Friday evening with an artist’s reception and award ceremony. During the reception, the artists vote for their favorite entry in the Judged or Showcase sections, and the “Artist Choice” award is presented.  Winners of this award have said that having their work recognized by their fellow artists is a special kind of honor.

Throughout the weekend, BWS members demonstrate watercolor techniques and products. The “Paint Around” is always a favorite with the audience. Paint Around refers to a demonstration in which five artists collectively work on five paintings. Each artist comes up with an initial concept for one painting and has about fifteen minutes to start it off. Every fifteen minutes the paintings are passed to the next artist until they come back to the original artist who has the last fifteen minutes to finalize the painting.

As a frequent participant of the Paint Around, Cindy McKee says “It’s rather nerve wracking! You have to be able to paint fast! But I always enjoy participating because it amazes me how awesome the paintings turn out.”

There is also an Artist’s Marketplace where participating BWS artists can sell prints, cards and other products.

The success of Splash! depends on support from our community. Art supply manufacturers, retailers and local businesses provide donations which make it possible for Splash! to happen as well as contributing funding to our organization and Art and Education Fund. Some of these donations are used to create Raffle Baskets and Silent Auction items. It’s always a fun way to end the show by announcing the winners of the raffle baskets and Silent Auction. Also, at the end of the show, the People’s Choice Award is presented based on a tally of ballots that are collected throughout the weekend.

BWS is proud to partner with the Azan Shriner Center whose members rent the venue and sell food at the show in which 100% of those proceeds go to the Shriner organization.