OPEN CALL
3 June 2026
International Juried Watercolour & Sketch Exhibition
Amsterdam in Summer Light is an international juried watercolour and sketch exhibition dedicated to the atmosphere, light, architecture, and everyday life of Amsterdam in summer.
Organised by NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam in collaboration with Van der Linde Art Supplies, the project brings together watercolour and ink artists through a curated exhibition inspired by the unique character of the city.
The exhibition welcomes original artworks created using the following media:
- Watercolour
- Ink
- Watercolour combined with ink
The exhibition encourages artists to interpret Amsterdam through their personal experience of light, atmosphere, urban life, architecture, and everyday moments.
Selected works will be exhibited at NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam, a contemporary watercolour atelier located in the historic centre of Amsterdam.
Accepted Formats
- A4 (210 × 297 mm)
- A3 (297 × 420 mm)
Works must be submitted unframed.
Originality and Authorship
Only original artworks created by the submitting artist are eligible.
Copies, reproductions, and works based on copyrighted photographs without permission are not accepted.
All artworks must be entirely hand-made using the accepted media.
By submitting an artwork, the artist confirms that they are the sole author of the work and hold all rights necessary for its exhibition, publication, and promotion within the framework of the project.
Submission Fee
- €30 for one artwork
- €50 for two artworks
Artists may submit up to two artworks.
A maximum of one artwork per artist may be selected for the exhibition.
Important Dates
5 June 2026
Submissions Open
15 August 2026
Submission Deadline
15–25 August 2026
Jury Selection
25 August 2026
Selected Artists Announced
25 August – 15 September 2026
Shipping Period
10 october 2026
Exhibition Opening and Awards Ceremony
Exhibition
Selected artworks will be exhibited at NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam.
The exhibition will run for approximately 2–3 weeks.
Catalogue and Publication Rights
Selected artworks will be published in the official Amsterdam in Summer Light catalogue.
The catalogue may be offered for sale during the exhibition, through the organisers, online, and through selected partner locations including art shops, bookshops, galleries, and cultural venues.
By submitting an artwork, the artist grants the organisers a non-exclusive right to reproduce images of the submitted work in the exhibition catalogue and in promotional materials related to the project, including the website, social media, press releases, printed materials, future editions of the catalogue, and other project-related publications.
Copyright and ownership of the original artwork remain with the artist at all times. The artist will be credited wherever the artwork is reproduced.
Awards
Three awards will be presented during the exhibition:
- Jury Award
- Public Choice Award
- Partner Award
Winners will receive a selection of prizes provided by project partners and sponsors, including professional watercolour materials, sketchbooks, art supplies, and Van der Linde Art Supplies gift vouchers.
Additional prizes may be announced as new partners join the project.
Shipping
All shipping costs are the responsibility of the artist.
Artists are responsible for shipping selected artworks to Amsterdam and for covering all return shipping costs after the exhibition
Detailed shipping instructions will be provided to selected artists after the jury selection process.
Jury
The jury consists of professional artists, authors, educators, and urban sketchers working in the fields of watercolour, urban sketching, architecture, and contemporary drawing.
Jury Members
- Alex Hillkurtz – Artist, author of Sketching Techniques for Artists and Architectural Sketching with Watercolour and Ink, workshop instructor, and internationally recognised urban sketcher based in Paris.
- Darya Mitta – Professional watercolour artist, international workshop instructor, award-winning painter, and co-founder of NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam.
- David Drazil – Architect, author of Sketch Like an Architect, and internationally recognised urban sketching educator.
- Iryna Vozianova – Watercolour artist, educator, and Chair of IWS Holland (International Watercolour Society Netherlands).
- Wiltfried Pathuis – Watercolour artist, instructor, Country Leader for FabrianoInAcquarello Netherlands, co-founder of Urban Sketchers Netherlands, and drawing instructor at Hanze University Groningen.
- Yury Dzhantuganov – Artist, educator, and co-founder of NEST Aquarel Atelier Amsterdam.
Application Process
To apply, participants must submit:
- completed application form
- one or two JPEG images of the artwork(s)
Image requirements:
- minimum 2500 pixels on the longest side
- maximum file size 10 MB per image
- photographed in good, even lighting
- no frames, borders, watermarks, or digital signatures
- colours should accurately represent the original artwork