Discover
It all begins here. You may participate in WAOW-sponsored group shows and participation in WAOW group advertisements in major magazines at discounted group rates. You also can share and receive information about events and how-to’s via the WAOW email list.
You will have support and camaraderie of a group of professional women artists. Also you will receive information and support on the waowinc-members@groups.io.
All of the above benefits are geared toward WAOW’s mission, which includes promoting artwork created by women, educating members regarding professionalism in their art career, and providing opportunities for presentation of members’ work for the purpose of sale and publicity.
Your Journey in WAOW is unlimited.
General Overview
Women Artists of the West (WAOW, pronounced “Wow”) is a nonprofit corporation originally founded over 50 years ago by a group of women who painted together and wanted to establish venues and other opportunities for women artists, which were not available at that time.
Originally based in the West, WAOW has grown over the years to include members throughout North America and more recently abroad. Our members work generally in “traditional” 2-D and 3-D fine art mediums, in many styles and many subject matters
Membership Levels
WAOW has approximately 350 members, including Associate members, Signature members, Master Signature and a few deserving Emeritus and Lifetime members who have donated more to WAOW than we can ever repay.
Associate members may apply for Signature [for requirements see website and Bylaws]. Be sure to keep a copy of all print ads and a record of your show participation so that you have your records handy if you decide to apply for Signature status. Until you are officially accepted as a Signature member, you must include the word “Associate” in any reference to your membership in WAOW, whether in a print ad or otherwise - e.g., “WAOW (Associate)” or “Associate Member, WAOW.”
WAOW’s board of consists of members who volunteer their time. Likewise, show committees, advertising committee, membership committee and website managers, to name a few, are all volunteer positions, staffed by women who are also pursuing art careers and their “other life” outside of art. We would be delighted if you would like to help out. Let us know what area interests you and we’ll be happy to have you on board.
Shows
Our shows are juried by a committee of WAOW members. We will keep you informed of shows in posts through emails, groups.io and website.
If you have not participated in a group show where you must ship your artwork, you will find that WAOW’s process is very educational in preparing you for that. And if you can attend the show and help unpack, hang, repack, etc., you will better understand the how-to’s and the need for the specific instructions.
As you may have noticed in such magazines as Art of the West, Southwest Art, and Fine Art Connoisseur. WAOW often ties its advertisements to our upcoming shows. In return these magazines participate through sponsorships and awards of advertising space. They are integral to our shows.
Your Personal Page on WAOW Site
We want to get you onboarding to our website. It is more than just the listing of your name which is linked to your site. We have started our Artistry Area, https://womenartistsofthewest.org/artistry
This gives every member their own page and much broader SEO Web coverage. You might also see your photos of your work throughout the website. When you receive an email, please respond to it with the information needed for your Artistry page. You will be contacted by Laurie Pace, the Web Woman for WAOW.
Advertising
Those in charge of our very capable advertising committee can be found in the member’s page. They let members know – via email, deadlines, the specifics regarding size and price for each scheduled ad, and how to apply. We encourage you to include yourself in some of our group advertising. It not only is a great cost saving way of promoting your art but encourages the growing support of the art magazines. Go to WAOW’s member’s page to find the specific persons to contact for advertising.
FYI, advertising is suggested though not required. Keep copies of the ads. If you are in galleries, often the gallery owner will split advertising costs with you.
Critique Groups and Online Learning
WAOW has a fantastic educational component of organized critique groups in each time zone in the U.S. All information concerning both of these fantastic opportunities is listed on our website. You will find all this information in our private Membership Area. Sign in to WAOW Member from the bottom footer on the page and use the password in your Welcome letter. Make sure you write it down. On the members only page, click on ‘Educational Opportunities’ to find info about the critique groups and so much more.
Things For You To Do
Notify us regarding a change of address or email address to avoid missing out on date-sensitive information. Send this information to our Membership Chair, Kathy Soliday (kathysoliday68@gmail.com). You must keep all your contact info updated with our membership chair. Your membership depends on it!
Find information on your member’s page.
Click on Members Only in the footer, and fill in password we provided in your email acceptance letter. In the Members Only section, you will find information about shows, WAOW business, links to the board members, where to send information or to ask questions and more.
BE SURE to subscribe to the waowinc- members@groups.io exclusively for members too. Link
The End…And the Beginning.
Once you are signed in below to the Member’s Only in the footer as instructed above, Please take time to read the By Laws concerning your responsibilities as a member of WAOW. Online communication with other members is one of them. Both asking questions and sharing trade secrets is so important for our growth in this organization. Voting is another often overlooked responsibility. When asked to vote by the board on whatever topic is up for vote, please do so. It is very important to the future of WAOW to have a strong majority helping to shape the direction of this organization.
Please note, when applying for Signature status, you will be asked (by the honor system) if you have in fact participated in online communication with WAOW members and if you have participated in voting when asked to do so by WAOW.
As you can see, everything WAOW does is a group effort. We all encourage you to participate. Whether you are a long-time professional or an emerging professional artist, you will learn from us, and we will learn from you.
Welcome aboard! If you have specific questions, let us know and we will route your question to the appropriate person.
Kathy Soliday Membership Chair Associate / WAOW kathysoliday68@gmail.com