Merit Awards
Each painting accepted into a juried WSO Fall or Spring Show is worth Merit Points. WSO members earn Merit Award points in different values, and when you have accumulated ten points, you receive special recognition. Print a copy of the Merit Award Worksheet. Fill it out with a record of your points on the Merit Award Worksheet and send it to the Merit Award Chairperson. After you’ve tracked your first ten points, WSO will keep track of all future points.
Check out this list of Merit Points for Spring 2020 to see recipients.
How the Merit Award Point System Works
Through the fall 2008 show in Florence, artists received a total of five points for a Sweepstakes award, three points for 1st, 2nd or 3rd, and one point for paintings that got into the show but did not win an award. Beginning Spring ’09, we changed the name of Sweepstakes to “Best of Show” and it still earned 5 points (we have dropped the name of 1st place.) Now, we will have special names for 2nd through 6th place followed by awards of Distinction. You will earn a total of four points for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th place award, a total of three points for all other award winning paintings and one point for paintings that got into a show but did not win an award.
You receive recognition at conventions as you reach each level and beautiful WSO logo pins at 25 points (platinum level, a silver pin) and at 50 points (diamond level, a gold pin).
We would like to encourage everyone to start now and keep a list of the WSO exhibitions they have been in and the awards they have received. Even if you are a new member and are just beginning to enter shows, start now! It is surprising how quickly time passes and you will want to have that information.
Signature Membership
In the Fall of 2019, WSO implemented a recognition program for active members who have earned 10 merit award points in our Merit Award Program. An active member must be in good standing and current with their dues to retain Signature Membership. Signature Membership was awarded retroactively to all WSO members who met the requirements.
See the list of Signature Members 2020.
Revised: June 2020