Founded as the Boston Watercolor Society, the group held its first exhibition in 1885, showing works by Childe Hassam, George Randolph Barse, and other artists.
In 1980, with a growing membership and expanding locales for exhibits, the name was changed to the New England Watercolor Society (NEWS).
Susan Bradley, Sarah Choate Sears, and Nellie Littlehale Murphy were among the first female members.
In alternate years NEWS hosts a New England regional juried competition.
[2] Signature members – those who have been juried into at least four open shows – currently number slightly fewer than 200.