By 1866, the interest in the medium was so pronounced that the American Society of Painters in Water Color was founded. The newly formed society held its first exhibition in the fall of 1867 and these annual exhibitions have continued through to the present time. American artist Winslow Homer was inspired by the success of a huge exhibition of nearly 600 European and American watercolors held by the ASPWC at the National Academy in 1873. This exhibition confirmed the significance of the American "watercolor movement." In 1878, the ASPWC name was changed to The American Water Color Society.

Although Americans inherited a technique developed by the British, they were more interested in experimenting with watercolor in their own way. American artists, therefore, created works which were uniquely individual in comparison. They were fresh and full of light, assertive and confident. The new American watercolors reflected the energy and spontaneity of a young and growing society.

The American school was able to produce an abundance of important artists of exceptional importance that worked in watercolor between the 1870’s and the revolutionary Armory Show in New York in 1913, which included John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), John Marin (1870-1953) and Maurice Prendergast (1859-1924). Each artist represented an individual and unique approach to the medium
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Watercolor has become known as the American medium. The American Watercolor Society’s 136th Annual International Exhibition will be displayed at the University of Mississippi Museums June 3-July 13. Traveling shows, first termed "rotary shows", were initiated in 1905. The annual A.W.S. juried competition is open to all artists worldwide. The University Museums is excited about hosting the 20003-04 tour. Among this years winners of the 136th competition are Alvaro Castagnet, of Australia, and John Salminen, of Minnesota