nmbo CELEBRATING THE ARTS NOVEMBER 2017

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1 nmbo CELEBRATING THE ARTS NOVEMBER 2017

2 Virginia Watercolor Society's Co-Chairs Mary Fetter, left, and Julie Read VIRGINIA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY S 38TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY BY DONNA CEDAR-SOUTHWORTH Works at the exhibition encompass many disciplines: pure realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstract expressionism and mixed media, offering viewers a chance to see some of the finest contemporary works in Virginia. ur awareness of watercolor art has come a long way from the time we were first introduced to it in grade school. Back then it was defined by a Crayola strip of eight colors and a skinny paintbrush. To see just how amazing fine art watercolors have become, visit the Virginia Watercolor Society s (VWS) 38th Annual Exhibition at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) in Winchester. The exhibition runs until January 7, The paintings in the exhibit demonstrate how contemporary artists are pushing the envelope, charting new territory and taking watercolor the most unforgiving of all mediums to levels that will leave viewers in awe. The VWS received nearly 500 paintings by 200 artists for consideration this year. Of that number, 79 pieces were juried into the show, judged by internationally-renowned California watercolorist Mike Bailey. The annual exhibition is the largest event sponsored by the VWS and is located in a different region of Virginia every year. VWS Co-Chair Julie Read said the society wanted the show to be staged at the museum in Winchester; three years in the making and in cooperation with the MSV, the show has opened. Julie explains that watercolor s transparency is what makes it difficult. When you re an oil or acrylic painter, if you want to change something you just paint on top of it, because those paints are opaque. But in watercolor, they re transparent, and that s why it s considered unforgiving. Julie expresses her amazement with how far this medium has come through glazes, washes, opaque [media] and techniques that artists have experimented with over the years. The boundaries of watercolor are exceeding viewers expectations. Sometimes watercolor can look just like oil paint if using lots of opaque. Works at the exhibition encompass many disciplines: pure realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstract expressionism and mixed media, offering viewers a chance to see some of the finest contemporary works in Virginia. It s an honor just to be juried into the show because the VWS is considered to be on the cutting edge of watercolor, Julie says. There are some traditional [pieces in the exhibit], landscapes, etc., but there s a lot of experimental work out there that...borders on the abstract. 28 élan January November magazine January élan élan magazine 2010

3 Above left: MVP, by Z.L. Feng; and Curve Appeal II, by Brenda Barthell At right: Storytime, by Nancy Hannans All are watercolors. élan élan magazine November January

4 30 November 2017 élan magazine

5 Above left: Quilt With Pears and a Bowl of Plums, by Chris Krupinski; and Light Lunch, by Holland Wentz Etheridge Opposite page. clockwise from top left: Clutch Conversation, by Bonnie Allman Neuhoff; In the Forum, by Gwendolyn Bragg; and Citrus Bowl, by Brenda Hounshell All are watercolors. In conjunction with this exhibition, the museum has been conducting workshops on watercolor and providing educational opportunities to the community. This month, VWS s Brenda Hounshell, whose piece, Citrus Bowl, is in the exhibit, will instruct a workshop focusing on methods to see and enhance sunlight filtering through woodland settings. Children s workshops will be available through the museum on November 11, 18 and 21. Julie says the museum s goal in providing educational opportunities is to bring the public in and to give them an educational opportunity to appreciate what s hanging up on the walls. By taking a class and becoming introduced to watercolor and its possibilities, [visitors] will appreciate the work more and might find they enjoy watercolor. Judge Bailey bestowed a number of monetary and art product awards in October. Awards included a Best in Show; two Outstanding Achievement Awards; 2nd through 5th Place Awards; as well as Awards of Excellence, Distinction and Merit. Many élan alums received prizes: Chris Krupinski (May 2005) took second place for Quilt with Pears and a Bowl of Plums ; Nancy Hannans (Sept. 2010) placed fourth with Story Time ; an Award of Excellence went to Jean K. Gill (Nov. 2008) for Lost and Found 2 ; and Awards of Distinction were given to Brenda Barthell (Jan. 2016) for Curve Appeal and Gwendolyn Bragg (March 2009) for In the Forum. In early December, the People s Choice Award will be presented. That s where the public votes on their favorite painting, Julie says. They have two months to vote and a ballot box is in the exhibition space. élan magazine November