The 2023 Convention & Trade Show will be held at the Hilton Ocala, in Ocala, FL and runs from Friday, September 29th through Saturday, September 30th. Live, pre-Convention Workshops in Ocala, FL run Monday, September 25th through September 28th with the exception of Fealing Lin's workshop which is an August virtual workshop via Zoom. As is our tradition, we open the 2023 Convention with Andy Evansen's demonstration at 7pm on September 28th. The FWS 2023 52nd Annual Exhibition Reception is Friday, September 29th at the Webber Gallery and the Gala Awards Dinner is Saturday, September 30th at the hotel. Saturday morning is the ever-popular Paint-A-Round and Andy Evansen presents his Exhibition Review Saturday afternoon. 

    R E G I S T R A T I O N   C H O I C E S




    REGISTRATION IS EXTENDED through September 22nd

    Register by September 30th

    REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

    JOIN US IN OCALA, FLORIDA

    Get your ticket(s) to attend the Convention in person. Optional orders available include Exhibition Review by Andy Evansen on Saturday afternoon and Healing Arts Award donations. Order for yourself and add guests - pay once.

    CAN'T COME?

    WATCH THE REPLAYS

    Access to Convention video recordings of demo artists, including Andy Evansen's opening demo on Thursday evening and the Exhibition Review on Saturday afternoon. 


    GALA AWARDS DINNER ONLY

    Click this button if you (or your guest) will ONLY be attending the Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday. Join us as we celebrate our award-winning Florida artists over dinner. Cocktails at 6:30pm; table seating at 7:00pm.

    Please be aware the food items purchased outside the hotel are not allowed to be brought onto Convention venue. If you plan to eat at Convention site, you will need to order a lunch box as an option. 

    O U R   S P O N S O R S  


    Click the link to the left for the full list of our 2023 Convention & Trade Show Sponsors. A big THANK YOU to all who support FWS and our artists.


    M O R E   I N F O R M A T I O N

    CONVENTION SCHEDULE HERE

    Opening Session - Thursday, September 28th at 7pm


    The Convention begins with a welcome from our FWS President, Jackii Molsick, highlighting Convention events and updates. Andy Evansen, FWS 52nd Annual Exhibition Judge & Juror, will present a demonstration on how he achieves his stunningly luminous landscapes. Click Button to left for more info.

    Concurrent Sessions - Friday & Saturday, September 29th-30th


    More than 20 artists are scheduled in three concurrent sessions held Friday and Saturday to demonstrate specific styles, methods, or approaches they use in achieving successful paintings. Click the button to the left to find out more about each artist and their planned demos.

    Friday, September 29th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm


    Don't miss the Opening Reception for the FWS 52nd Annual Exhibition at the Webber Gallery. Come meet some of your favorite artists and mingle with the crowd as we enjoy some time together on Friday evening. The Reception is free of charge and open to anyone wishing to attend. It's going to be a great show this year! Click the button for more info.

    Friday & Saturday, September 29th - 30th, 9:00am - 4:00pm


    This year's Trade Show promises to be better than ever! We have some fabulous vendors for you to meet, get your questions answered, and bring home some much needed art supplies and tools. Click the button to the left to find out who is going to be there. No tickets needed to come to the Trade Show!


    Friday & Saturday, September 29th - 30th, 9:00am - 4:00pm


    FWS invites you to restock your art studio with these gently used or new unused supplies, materials, and resources contributed by our member artists and do some good for FWS at the same time. Click the button to the left to find out more about this year's Bargain Bazaar.

    Saturday, September 30th - 8:00am - 9:00am


    Every year, FWS invites five artists to challenge one another in the Paint-A-Round event Saturday morning. Watch  your favorite artists collaborate in a live painting round-robin. The resulting artworks will be matted and raffled to support the work of FWS. Click button to the left for more info.

    Saturday, September 30th - 1:30pm - 4:00pm


    Andy Evansen, the 52nd Annual Exhibition Judge/Juror will go over his selections for this year's show, explain the reasons why he selected them, and give some insights into how he arrived at his decisions. Feel free to purchase extra tickets for your guests to join you in this much-anticipated annual event. Click Button to left for more info.

    Saturday, September 30th - Cocktails 6:30pm, Dining Hall Opens 7:00pm


    Join us for our Gala Awards Dinner as we celebrate our award-winning Florida artists and new Signature Members.  Also, we have a special surprise this year for our new achievement category of Distinguished Signature artists who have been in 10 or more Annual Exhibitions. Click Button to left for more info.

    Calling all Volunteers


    We highly value our volunteers. They are paid six figures:
    S-M-I-L-E-S. And you are invited to participate in the Volunteers-only Online Show in January 2024. 
    There are many opportunities for you to volunteer for making the 2023 Convention, The Best Yet!  Click the button to see all the opportunities. You'll be glad you volunteered.

    HOTEL DISCOUNTS FOR FWS


    Hilton Ocala is offering discounted room rates of $189/night plus tax and is for a minimum two-night stay for those attending the Convention and/or Workshops. Rates subject to change without notice and rooms are running low. This rate may not be available for all nights you need. Click the button to the left to book. Make sure you edit the dates! Hilton Ocala local phone:  352-854-1400


    FWS has secured a block of rooms at the Ocala Hilton where the FWS Convention & Trade Show will be held. If those rooms are filled, we have a secondary option at the Best Western less than a mile away west of I-75 for Wednesday 9/27 through Saturday 9/30, checking out on 10/1. Click the button to the left for the discounted FWS rates - be sure to edit the dates you need. You may also book by phone. Best Western local phone: 352-237-4848


    FWS has secured a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn which is located on the west side of I-75. The link to the left DOES NOT HAVE THE DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES YET. PLEASE CALL the local Hampton Inn desk at 352-867-0300 to receive the FWS discounted room rate. We will post the link to the FWS rates when received.

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