Theme Award

1. Themed Award — This themed award is open to all categories and will be selected from all submitted works.

1st Prize (1 winner): $2,000 USD

2nd Prize (2 winners): $800 USD each

3rd Prize (3 winners): $500 USD each

Art Education Award

To encourage active participation from university students, this year's watercolor festival features a special "Education Award." The jury will select 6 young artists (aged 18–25) with outstanding potential from all shortlisted participants who are currently undergraduate or postgraduate students and have not won any other awards. Winners will receive cash prizes or other forms of educational support. Artists in this category must provide proof of enrollment (a student ID card or other documents verifying their student status).

Education Award - 1st Prize (1 winner): $800 USD

Education Award - 2nd Prize (2 winners): Master Watercolor Online Course (10 sessions), valued at $500 USD.

Education Award - 3rd Prize (3 winners): An opportunity for dedicated, one-on-one online art mentorship and critique with an international master artist (conducted via Zoom, video conference, or email) to support their artistic growth and expand their international perspective.

Category Awards

Category awards are established for each artistic discipline. No cash prize is attached; recipients will receive an official certificate issued by the Venice International Watercolor Festival and a specially crafted commemorative medal honoring the Bicknell family legacy.

• Figures & Portraits: 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

• Landscapes: 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

• Still Life: 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

• Florals: 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

• Exploratory & Experimental (Abstract): 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

• Other (including Animals and Miscellaneous): 1st Prize ×1, 2nd Prize ×2, 3rd Prize ×3, Merit Award ×10

Special Nomination Awards

Selected in addition to the main jury process, these awards are nominated by the festival's partner institutions from works across all categories (multiple awards may be granted to the same work). They reflect the aesthetic standards and values of internationally recognized art organizations, providing a further layer of diverse and authoritative evaluation. Certificates are jointly issued and signed by the nominating institution and the festival.

Alemenara Competition Nomination Award (Spain): 10 winners

Shanghai International Culture Exchange Association Nomination Award (China): 10 winners

Clarence Bicknell Association Award (UK): 3 winners

Special Sponsorship Awards (Art Materials & Prizes)

Generously sponsored by leading domestic and international art material brands — including the Maimeri Award, the Tintoretto Award, Rubens, Marie's, and the Titian Foundation — these awards recognize works of exceptional technical mastery and creative innovation under the theme of "Heritage and Expedition" (multiple awards may be granted). Recipients will receive premium art materials, brushes, and other artistic supplies, continuing the Bicknell family's tradition of supporting artistic creation and empowering watercolor artists to carry tradition forward while venturing boldly into the future.