Baltimore Watercolor Society A Mid-Atlantic Organization of Watermedia Artists |
- Home
- June 2025 Newsletter
Members can log in to the site by clicking the icon at top right of the banner.
BWS Highlights Newsletter • June 2025
|
From the Archives: The 1985 Centennial Exhibition
Jim Sandford, Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Chair
In 1985, the 100th year anniversary of the 1885 founding of the Baltimore Water Color Club, BWS put on two major exhibitions simultaneously. In addition to the annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition at the Johns Hopkins Turner Auditorium (where it had been since 1971), there was a special BWS Centennial Exhibition at the City Hall Courtyard Galleries.
The amount of work involved in staging two major shows with a one month overlap defies the imagination. Focusing for now on the Centennial Exhibition, The Baltimore Sun published a nice review on the exhibition’s opening day.
Also on the opening day of the Centennial Exhibition, the City and BWS threw a pretty elaborate opening reception.
None who knew Baltimore during the era of Mayor William Donald Schaefer will be surprised that he would put on a show of painting an original watercolor in front of a large audience of artists and friends. Photos show Schaefer receiving recognition and an honorary BWS membership from BWS President Karl W. Fehrenbach (President 1984-1986) and future BWS President Marilyn Saboe (President 1986-1988).
We thank active BWS member Mary Ruth Buchness for her recent donation of papers and photos, including the photos above, to the BWS Archives. Mary was BWS President 1982-1984 and played an important role in planning for the 1985 Centennial Exhibition.
Building and maintaining the BWS Archives is an ongoing process, and we invite any of you with boxes of materials from the past to contact us to discuss sharing these records, either as a donation or as a loan which would give us the opportunity to make copies.
Annapolis Maritime Museum is hosting an Exhibit for BWS Signature Artist Members July 8 - August 18, 2025 For more information: https://www.baltimorewatercolorsociety.org/event-6133219 Frequent Errors Found in Applications to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition
by Jim Sandford, BWS Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Chair Applications to the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition will be accepted in CaFÉ between June 6 and August 6, 2025. There are a number of common errors that come up in submitted applications. I will do my best to fix any problems, but being aware of these may help you avoid getting into a fight with your computer or getting more notes from me than you really wanted to see. 1. Remember that the applying to the exhibition is a three step process in CaFÉ:
2. Pay close attention to the exact title of your painting. Capitalization, spelling, sometimes punctuation are all important. I am particularly careful to include foreign language accent marks in painting titles and artist names, so don’t be afraid to put them in your application exactly as you want them. In cases where artists’ names have changed, I understand that your CaFÉ account may not have your name the way you currently want it and CaFÉ doesn’t make it easy to change, so, of course, send me a note and I’ll fix it before the exhibition opens. I’m always happy to help, I know computer technology is not everyone’s thing, so please don’t hesitate to ask. I invite you to contact me at midatlanticexhibit@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to seeing your submissions to the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition.
|
BWS Seeks Student Members!
Do you know of a young art student who could benefit from joining the BWS?
If they are between the ages of 16 and 25 and are interested in art or are pursuing an art degree or certificate, they are eligible to join BWS for the discounted membership fee of only $20.
Benefits of student membership include: BWS social activities, programs, and workshops, plus receipt of the monthly newsletter. Students may also participate in those BWS exhibits that include student members.
Let’s encourage our student artists in their pursuit of the watercolor medium! We look forward to their participation and, as with all members, their fresh ideas on possible activities and directions for BWS.
Mid-Atlantic Awards Committee - Asking for Donations The 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition volunteer team is gearing up for another great show. One of the things that makes the Exhibition so special is the number of quality awards. Last year, 26 of the 100 artists accepted into the show received awards, with a top award of $1,500. Each year, the BWS Awards Committee reaches out to corporations to solicit sponsorships, to watercolor societies that offer reciprocal awards such as the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, and to you, our members. Members are crucial to the success of our Exhibition, not only through the quality work they enter and display, but also through their financial support. After all, our exhibition is about artists supporting artists’ creative growth. Many members choose to honor or remember a loved one. All donations in support of the exhibition are fully tax deductible. If you are thinking of donating or giving a specific award in memory of a loved one and are wondering how to go about it, or if you have any other questions, please get in touch with the BWS Awards Committee - Janet Freeman, Betty Myers, and Rebecca Rothey at awards@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. We are always happy to help.
|
Support BWS Sponsors
|  |
In addition to donating towards a Mid-Atlantic award, Holbein has provided 15ml sample paint tubes as hand-outs/door prizes for BWS workshops. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receive American Frame Discounts Through Our Artist Alliance Program
American Frame is a second-generation, woman-owned, family-run company, dedicated to serving artists like yourself since 1973. Our mission is to provide excellence in custom framing products, fine art printing and related services while advancing a socially responsible company that gives back to the arts. As such, we are proud to be counted among the list of donors to the BWS Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition. If you need design assistance or have questions about the website, we are here to help. We offer free samples, phone support as well as face-to-face ‘zoom style’ consultations via our Virtual Showroom. Our goal is to serve you in the way that makes you most comfortable.
Apply your American Frame account to the Baltimore Watercolor Society through this link: https://www.baltimorewatercolorsociety.org/Member-Discount-Codes/12652400 (you must be logged in to BWS Wild Apricot to see the link). Click on the link and sign-up or login to the American Frame Alliance Program and you will receive a reusable discount code as well as earn credit for your purchases for BWS. Be sure to check ‘Agree to Terms and Conditions.’ Once your American Frame account is linked to the Alliance Program, all of your orders will benefit BWS, even if you choose another discount to use for that order (e.g., free shipping).
Upcoming Events
Note: The above Upcoming Events summary only displays the start date for each event. For full details please click on the event, or visit the Events page. Teach? Update Us Please Whether you’re teaching at a university or providing one-to-one tutorials, if BWS members can sign up to learn from you, we want to know what you’re doing. The Baltimore Watercolor Society has a list of members who teach on its website -- that’s a great resource. However, after introducing a “Teacher Tuesday” feature to BWS Facebook and Instagram, Social Media/Publicity Chair Lia Nigro discovered it’s not always easy to define what’s going on at the moment. “I’ve run through the list and profiled everyone where I could immediately find information on current classes. But I know there are more teachers out there!” BWS social media is a great way to get free publicity and reach new potential students, especially if your watercolor instruction goes beyond beginning levels. Want in? Just send a note to publicity@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. Already profiled in a “Teacher Tuesday”? Don’t be shy about providing updates. We look forward to hearing from you. MEMBER NEWSBWS members may submit a 60-word announcement gratis to be listed under the heading “Member News.” Images will be included as space allows. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month preceding publication date, and may be edited for length or clarity. Please e-mail your submissions to the Newsletter Editor at newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. Boxed-off featured ads are available for $25 and may include up to 100 words and one image. Contact the Newsletter Editor at newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org for details. Peg Sheridan is offering two Saturday watercolor workshops this summer, in Harrisonburg and Waynesboro. Peg is a very popular instructor, and all of her recent classes and workshops have sold out. See her website for details: www.pegsheridan.com.
All images are the property of the artists and protected by copyright. No image can be used without the written permission of the artist.
|
Catherine Hillis
Dennis Clarke
Annie Strack, BWS, had paintings juried into the 
April M. Rimpo’s 3-D Watercolor Sculpture on watercolor paper was selected for inclusion in INNOVATIONS 2025 - the 34th Annual International Open Juried Exhibition of 
J. M. Littleton’s painting, “See Me In All My Glory,” was juried into the 
Al Steinbach’s “Pastel Cigars” has been accepted in the 67th National Multi-Media Juried Art Exhibit, at The Maria V. Howard Arts Center of the 
Charlie Frances’ “When Decay Meets Rejuvenation” took first place for 2D art in the Membership
Welcome New Signature Member
|
Welcome New Associate Members
Pat Bond, Lady Lake, FL
Kia Penso, Baltimore, MD
Other Art Organizations’ Events and Opportunities
 | The Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society |
| ISEA’s Art Innovation Symposium Ormond Beach 2025 September 17-20, 2025 at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, Ormond Beach, Florida. Join us for a wonderful, fun-filled symposium planned for art inspiration, friendship, and educational enjoyment. For more information visit https://www.iseaartexhibit.org/Symposium2025. Registration is open through September 3, 2025. |
| Learn about the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, one of our BWS Mid-Atlantic Sponsors of Awards. Perhaps you'll want to join them. Visit www.potomacvalleywatercolorists.org for more information. |
| Dear Plein Air Artists, |
Board of Governors and Committee Chairs
Baltimore Watercolor Society, a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
info@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
publicity@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Vice President: Matt Fenton
Secretary: Janet Hansen-Martinet
Treasurer: April Rimpo
Mid-Atlantic Exhibit: Jim Sandford
Mid-Atlantic Awards: Janet Freeman
Workshops/Programs: Yogini Dahiwadkar
Webmaster: Robert Coe
Newsletter Editor: Devin K. Lulu
Archivist: Karen Norman
Volunteer Recruiter/Protocol: Sharon Green
Membership Database: Janice Hendra
Membership Jurying: Janet Arsenault
Exhibits: David Drown
Publicity/Social Media: Lia Nigro