Philadelphia Water Color Society upcoming events

September Plein Air - The Willows (September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Come to Willows Park Preserve in Villanova, PA for a morning of plein air painting. Meet in the parking lot next to the mansion. Meet at the mansion and bring a bag lunch. View on Google Maps.

This is a joint event with plein air group of the Delaware Valley Art League (DVAL). You do not have to be a member of either PWCS or DVAL to register.

The Willows - image courtesy of Willows Park Preserve

September Plein Air - Two Days in Cape May (September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Join us for two days of plein air at the Lighthouse and the Art and Science Center in Cape May, NJ. Choose one, the other or both days. While you're at it, stay overnight and get a deal on lodging.

Cape May Point Art and Science Center (red roofs) and the lighthouse at the Cape May Point State Park

This event will be held over two consecutive days. You can choose to attend either of these two days or both of them. The lodging discount is also presented below.

Tuesday, September 15, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Gather near the lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park. (The address is 215 Lighthouse Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 and free parking is available.)
Join an optional 3 hour Plein Air workshop with PWCS member Joe Milligan from 10–1. The fee is $65, and it's limited to eight artists. Contact joemilliganartist@comcast.net for more information, but you can wait until the start of the workshop to decide to participate. (Joe's guarantee... if you don't believe you received your money's worth the session is free.) To view Joe's work, go to his website, joemilliganartist.com, or his Facebook page, facebook.com/joemilliganartist.

Overnight Lodging, September 15–16

A one-night special rate of $189 + tax per room is available at The Marquis de Lafayette in Cape May (about a 10 min. drive to both venues.) You will have to arrange your reservation with the hotel. (Once you've registered, you'll receive information on how to make your reservation for the hotel in your registration confirmation email.)

Wednesday, September 16, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Join us to paint at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center. (101 Lehigh Ave, Cape May Point, NJ). This Victorian landmark was constructed in 1889 and has plenty of interesting spots both inside and out for painting. It started out as the Shoreham Hotel for visiting dignitaries and served as it was the "Saint Mary by-the-Sea" summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1909–2020. See the website for visiting information and upcoming arts and science activities.
The Arts & Science Center charges admission, but admission for the day is free if you are a member of PWCS.
A special collaborative painting will be set-up and all artists are invited to paint sections and sign the painting which will be given to the Arts & Science Center at the end of the day.

September Plein Air - Two Days in Cape May (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Join us for two days of plein air at the Lighthouse and the Art and Science Center in Cape May, NJ. Choose one, the other or both days. While you're at it, stay overnight and get a deal on lodging.

Cape May Point Art and Science Center (red roofs) and the lighthouse at the Cape May Point State Park

This event will be held over two consecutive days. You can choose to attend either of these two days or both of them. The lodging discount is also presented below.

Tuesday, September 15, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Gather near the lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park. (The address is 215 Lighthouse Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 and free parking is available.)
Join an optional 3 hour Plein Air workshop with PWCS member Joe Milligan from 10–1. The fee is $65, and it's limited to eight artists. Contact joemilliganartist@comcast.net for more information, but you can wait until the start of the workshop to decide to participate. (Joe's guarantee... if you don't believe you received your money's worth the session is free.) To view Joe's work, go to his website, joemilliganartist.com, or his Facebook page, facebook.com/joemilliganartist.

Overnight Lodging, September 15–16

A one-night special rate of $189 + tax per room is available at The Marquis de Lafayette in Cape May (about a 10 min. drive to both venues.) You will have to arrange your reservation with the hotel. (Once you've registered, you'll receive information on how to make your reservation for the hotel in your registration confirmation email.)

Wednesday, September 16, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Join us to paint at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center. (101 Lehigh Ave, Cape May Point, NJ). This Victorian landmark was constructed in 1889 and has plenty of interesting spots both inside and out for painting. It started out as the Shoreham Hotel for visiting dignitaries and served as it was the "Saint Mary by-the-Sea" summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1909–2020. See the website for visiting information and upcoming arts and science activities.
The Arts & Science Center charges admission, but admission for the day is free if you are a member of PWCS.
A special collaborative painting will be set-up and all artists are invited to paint sections and sign the painting which will be given to the Arts & Science Center at the end of the day.

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.

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)