activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 10
- Conduct fundraising events Themed Fundraising Events with Auctions & RafflesOrganizes fundraising events such as an Annual Sidewalk Sale and participates in community raffles like the Jim Click Millions for Tucson raffle to raise money for the Guild.
- Facilitate member art exchange and feedback programs Artist Support ProgramsOperates "Another Pair of Eyes," a monthly program for members to receive feedback on their watercolor paintings from experienced artists, and organizes a "SAWG Summer Postcard Exchange" for members to create and exchange small artworks.
- Facilitate member art exchange and feedback programs Artist Support ProgramsOperates programs like "Another Pair of Eyes" for members to receive feedback on their paintings from experienced artists, and organizes a "SAWG Summer Postcard Exchange" for members to create and exchange small artworks.
- Host community and fundraising events Themed Fundraising Events with Auctions & RafflesHolds an Annual Sidewalk Sale, participates in the Jim Click Millions for Tucson raffle to raise funds, and hosts an annual Meet-and-Greet event featuring painting activities and a raffle of donated member paintings.
- Host member engagement events Community Collaborative Art ProjectsHolds annual events like the Meet-and-Greet, which includes painting activities, information on guild activities, and raffles of donated member paintings, to engage its members.
- Host open studio sessionsProvides weekly "Open Studio" sessions at the gallery, offering a space for members and non-members of all skill levels to paint, socialize, and learn from each other.
- Offer watercolor classes and workshops Specialized Art Technique WorkshopsProvides a variety of watercolor classes and workshops, including beginning, next step, intermediate, and premier workshops focusing on specific techniques and subjects. These range from single sessions to multi-day courses, with some offering all materials.
- Offer watercolor classes and workshops Specialized Art Technique WorkshopsProvides a variety of watercolor classes and workshops, including beginning, next step, and intermediate levels, as well as premier workshops focusing on specific techniques and subjects. These classes are offered to both members and non-members, with some sessions providing all necessary art supplies.
- Organize art exhibitions and receptions Artist Studio & Gallery ToursHosts receptions for various art shows in its gallery, including the Signature Show, Color My World Show, Summer Getaways Show, Experimental Show, 57th Annual Point Show, and Fiesta Sonora Show, where awards are presented and paintings are displayed.
- Organize art exhibitions and receptions Artist Studio & Gallery ToursHosts various art exhibitions in its gallery, such as the Signature Show, Color My World Show, Summer Getaways Show, Experimental Show, 57th Annual Point Show, and Fiesta Sonora Show, including receptions where awards are presented and paintings are displayed.
advocacy · 2
- Lead in establishing regional art federations Community Collaborative Art ProjectsPlayed a leading role in establishing the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, which includes 10 art organizations in the western U.S., demonstrating regional advocacy and collaboration.
- Participate in regional art federation leadership Community Collaborative Art ProjectsPlayed a leading role in establishing the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, which encompasses 10 art organizations across the western U.S.
capacity building · 4
- Maintain a teaching artist directory Artist Support ProgramsMaintains a "SAWG Teaching Artists Listing" to help members find classes in water-based painting taught by other SAWG artists, facilitating learning and connection within the community.
- Offer scholarships for young artists Performing Arts Training ScholarshipsProvides scholarships to support young artists in their artistic development.
- Provide membership and artist resources Artist Support ProgramsOffers membership to individuals who support the organization's purposes and provides a "SAWG Teaching Artists Listing" to help members find water-based painting classes taught by other SAWG artists.
- Provide membership opportunities Artist Support ProgramsOffers membership to individuals who support the organization's purposes and participate in Guild activities, fostering a community for watercolor artists.
strategies · 15
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Accessible participation through multiple enrollment channels accessible_registrationEnsures broad access to classes and rentals by offering multiple registration methods, including online and mail-in options.
- Art as expressive and emotional representation expressive_artistic_representationEncourages artists to capture and convey the mystical and emotional qualities of scenes, particularly urban landscapes, through deliberate use of color, light, and composition to share transformative experiences.
- Artistic inspiration drawn from nature and the human environment inspired_by_nature_and_human_environmentGrounds artistic practice in observation of both natural landscapes and human-made environments, including architecture and everyday objects, as sources of creative inspiration.
- Community building through artistic exchange and shared practice artist_community_developmentFosters a supportive artist community through the exchange of small artworks, shared learning, exhibitions, and member collaboration, especially during periods without general meetings.
- Comprehensive Art Education comprehensive_art_educationThe organization teaches watercolor through a structured curriculum that covers composition, technical skills, visual expression, artistic inspiration, and originality, aiming for holistic development of artists.
- Comprehensive watercolor education through structured curriculum comprehensive_art_educationTeaches watercolor using a structured curriculum that emphasizes composition, technical skills, visual expression, artistic inspiration, and originality to advance both the medium and student development.
- Expressive Artistic Representation Inspired by Environment expressive_artistic_representationArtists are encouraged to capture and convey the mystical and emotional qualities of scenes, drawing inspiration from both natural and human-made environments, to share transformative experiences through their art.
- Flexible, modular learning structure for progressive skill development modular_flexible_learningOrganizes classes and workshops into modular, repeatable sessions that allow flexible enrollment and progressive mastery of watercolor techniques.
- Fostering Artist Community and Development artist_community_developmentThe organization cultivates a community of artists by encouraging exploration of water media, facilitating ongoing learning, providing opportunities for exhibition and sale of artwork, and supporting emerging artists.
- Individualized and Guided Instruction individualized_instructionLearning is supported through personalized feedback and guidance from instructors, along with structured demonstrations and immersive painting sessions, to help students develop deeper observation and authentic painting skills.
- Individualized, instructor-led learning for artistic growth individualized_instructionSupports student learning through instructor-led feedback and individualized guidance during demonstrations and painting sessions, fostering deeper observation, simplification, and authentic expression.
- Member-first access and engagement model member_priorityPrioritizes members for workshop registration and allows them to direct financial contributions to specific programs, increasing engagement and ensuring program sustainability.
- Membership-Based Organizational Sustainability membership_modelThe organization sustains its operations through an annual membership model, where dues and donor-directed contributions support specific programs and overall organizational health.
- Modular and Flexible Learning modular_flexible_learningClasses are organized into repeatable, modular sessions to allow for flexible enrollment and progressive skill development, accommodating diverse learning paces and schedules.
- Sustainable organizational model through membership and volunteerism membership_modelOperates sustainably using annual membership dues and a volunteer-based structure, where members contribute time and effort to support guild and gallery operations.
named programs · 2
what they call their work
Art Exhibitions
Organizes and hosts watercolor art shows supported by corporate sponsors and open to guild members
Membership Benefits
Provides members with access to sponsored art supplies, exhibition opportunities, and networking with other watercolor artists
relationships · 23
who they work with
- Acrylic Painters USA Partner — Recognizes APUSA National Show (after 2017) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors Partner — Recognizes Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors (after June 5, 2023) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- American Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes AWS shows for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Arizona Art Supply Funder — Sponsor of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild's shows.
- Arizona Watercolor Association Partner — Recognizes AWA Spring and Fall shows as approved point shows for Signature membership.
- Golden Paints Funder — Sponsor of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild's shows.
- International Society of Acrylic Painters Partner — Recognizes ISAP Annual Physical Shows (after March 2016) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Kentucky Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes KWS Annual Aqueous USA Show (after 2017) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- National Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes NWS shows for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Northwest Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes NWWS Annual International Open Exhibition (after 2017) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Annual Aqueous Show (after fall 2018) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- San Diego Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes San Diego Watercolor Society’s International Exhibition (after March 2021) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Sandra Parker Partner — Independent art instructor contracted to teach beginning watercolor classes at the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild gallery.
- Sarnoff Art Funder — Sponsor of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild's shows.
- St. Francis in the Foothills Partner — Hosted the annual Meet-and-Greet event.
- St. Francis in the Foothills Celebration and Performing Arts Center Partner — Hosts workshops at their facility, which provides a spacious room with natural lighting and views of the Tucson Mountains.
- Tim Bhajjan Partner — Independent art instructor contracted to teach portrait and intermediate watercolor classes at the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild gallery.
- Watercolor Art Society – Houston Partner — Recognizes International Watermedia Exhibition (WAS-H) (after January 3, 2022) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- West Virginia Watercolor Society Partner — Recognizes Aqueous 2020, West Virginia Watercolor Society National Juried Exhibition for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.
- Western Federation Network — Member organization participating in the Western Federation network.
- Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Network — Co-founded and participates in the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, a network of 10 regional art organizations.
- Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Partner — Provides opportunities for participation in its Annual exhibition.
- Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Partner — Recognizes WFWS shows (after September 10, 2022) for Saguaro Fellow status advancement.