2nd丨2024

The second edition of the Venice International Watercolor Festival was held in 2024, carrying exceptional historical significance. The year marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the great explorer Marco Polo (1254–1324), and the Municipality of Venice established a dedicated national commemorative committee to organize a series of large-scale memorial events across the city. In recognition of the festival's growing influence in the field of international cultural exchange, the 2024 edition was officially incorporated into Venice's commemorative program for the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, participating as a model of East-West artistic dialogue in the city-wide celebrations.

The festival officially launched on April 20, 2024, with a submission deadline of September 18, open to watercolor artists and enthusiasts aged 18 and above from around the world. The competition featured two creative tracks: an open theme section and a dedicated Marco Polo themed section, encouraging artists to express themselves freely in watercolor while paying tribute through a specific theme to the historical figure who pioneered exchange between East and West. The exhibition opened at the Palazzo dei Trecento on October 12, 2024, accompanied by the award ceremony, with all participating works receiving a specially commissioned commemorative medal marking the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. The top prize was awarded separately in each track, with a first prize of $2,000 USD in both the open and Marco Polo themed categories. The jury comprised internationally recognized figures from multiple countries, and the festival received over 1,200 entries from more than twenty nations, including China, the United States, Italy, Spain, France, and Ireland.

The success of the second edition further expanded the festival's international reach, and its deep integration of watercolor art with a landmark historical commemoration underscored the unique value and enduring vitality of the Venice International Watercolor Festival as a global platform for cultural exchange.