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BWS Highlights Newsletter • May 2024
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President’s Palette
In April, our Baltimore Watercolor Society members and their guests had two amazing opportunities to view exceptional art. The first one, the Baltimore Watercolor Society Signature Member Exhibition of paintings at the Friendship Heights Cultural Center in Washington D.C., is receiving very positive responses from exhibit visitors, according to Curator, Jan Roland. The variety of subjects, and manner in which they are portrayed using watercolor, just beg for up-close study. This exhibit is still open for viewing through May 5th.
At the reception the judge, Jennifer Kahn Barlow, outlined the criteria she used when looking at the collection in order to select the paintings that received awards. She then carefully explained each decision when she handed out the ribbons. It was a great learning experience. I am grateful to have been able to hear how she viewed this exhibition.
The American Watercolor Society Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club is another amazing collection of watercolors to behold and analyze. On April 13th we filled a beautiful 58 passenger motorcoach and went to New York city to see this exhibition. Since this trip was a joint venture with both the Baltimore Watercolor Society and the Annapolis Watercolor Club, we had members from both groups and their guests that included friends, children and grandchildren!
Looking at the paintings, I reviewed in my mind many of the comments made by Jennifer Kahn Barlow (our Friendship Heights Juror) and I found that I was better able to understand and put into words things I was looking at in this exhibition. It is a lifetime process of learning.
One of our members that traveled to New York with us remarked how overwhelming viewing the exhibit can be. He made the comparison that he knows how to speak French but at times feels overwhelmed speaking this second language and must speak more slowly. Being an experienced watercolor painter, he found that looking at this exhibition was quite a similar experience. We must expose ourselves to a variety of paintings, take it all in very slowly and learn through the process.
Traveling together, learning more each day and having the opportunity to share it with friends and family while showing them a whole new world of beauty and learning to explore - does it get any better than this?
Join us!
Happy painting!
BWS President
Seeking Help from Writers and Proofreaders
It it said that “many hands make light work”. BWS is forming a Committee of Writers and Proofreaders to support various tasks done by the Board of Governors to improve what we create. Our goal is to have a large pool of volunteers so no one person is constantly being asked for help. Instead, we’d rotate through the volunteers throughout the year.
Examples of tasks where this committee could be asked to help include:
• Final Proofreading and Editing of the BWS Highlights Newsletter
• Drafting, editing and proofreading of emails and communications to the BWS membership
• Adding captions (e.g., Artist name, Title, Size) to online exhibitions
Training will be provided in the use of Word, Pages, and other tools needed for these tasks.
The BWS Bylaws were modified last year to require members seeking the (dues-free) Life Status, including Associate members, to build a record of volunteer work for BWS. Here is a great way to do just that in support of your Baltimore Watercolor Society.
If you are interested in participating on this committee, please contact bwsocietytreasurer@gmail.com, and please let us know if there are particular types of tasks you would most like to be involved with.
BWS Signature Member Exhibition Award Winners Statement by Jennifer Kahn Barlow, Judge of Awards: “Thank you for inviting me to not only visit the fantastic works of the Baltimore Watercolor Society’s Signature Members, but really spend the time to look, feel, and evaluate the artwork. Judging an art exhibition is a nuanced process that involves evaluating various aspects of the artworks on display. It's not merely about the aesthetic appeal but encompasses a range of criteria to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment of each piece. With that in mind, I looked at 5 different criteria: technical merit, originality, composition, presentation, and its ability to elicit an emotion. Technical merit is a fundamental criterion. This involves examining how well the artist has mastered the medium of watercolors, which is known for its fluidity and unpredictability. I looked for evidence of skill in brushwork, color blending, and the ability to control water to achieve desired effects. Originality is another factor. In a world inundated with visual stimuli, presenting an original idea through art can be challenging yet highly valued. This criterion assesses how the artist brings a unique perspective or a new approach to the subject matter. It's about the innovation in thought and execution that makes the artwork stand out. Composition obviously refers to how elements are arranged within the artwork. Good composition guides the viewer's eye across the painting, creating a sense of balance and harmony. I evaluated the use of space, the interplay of shapes and lines, and how these elements work together to support the overall theme or message of the piece. Presentation is all about the framing, matting, and overall cleanliness of the work. A well-presented piece shows respect for the viewer and can enhance the perceived value of the artwork. It's about ensuring that nothing detracts from the viewer's experience of the art. Lastly, the ability to illicit an emotional response is perhaps the most subjective yet profound criterion. Art, at its core, is about communication and connection. I considered how effectively a piece evokes my own feelings or thoughts. It's about the power of the artwork to move people, which often distinguishes the remarkable from the mundane. In summary, judging this watercolor art exhibition involved a holistic approach, which was my goal while evaluating this exhibition jam-packed with talented artists and wonderful artworks. Congratulations to all.” Award Winners: |
| First Place: The wonderfully rendered balloons drew me right in. The carefully constructed composition kept my eyes moving around and they did not want to leave. From the balloons to the string to the red hair to the streetlight and back to the balloons my eyes kept circling. Once I was able to break my eyes from that pattern, there was so much more taking place on this busy city street. The complimentary blue and orange colors dominate this artwork further captivating the viewer. This is an image we might overlook as we walk down a bustling street, trying to make our own way, but this artwork makes us stop and wonder about the women with the balloons, her celebration, and her destination. |
| Second Place: This eye-catching artwork tells a story of hurt, grief, healing, and life. It is hard not to be moved by this massive artwork; however, the technical merit of this piece is suburb. From the piercing blue eyes of the Veteran to the meticulous font and architectural lines, is it exquisitely executed, original, and personal. It is an engaging journey with appreciation of life’s ups and downs. |
| Third Place: This artwork is complex and requires the viewer to really study all that is happening within its frame. The warm glow of the orchestra and the cool arches at the top of the outdoor stage pull the viewer in and extend warmth on a grey, stormy night. I appreciate the loose, impressionistic style, combined with the repeating pattern of circles implying audience heads and the rectangles for the steel archways. |
Honorable Mentions: |
| Janet Arsenault, “Antietam: Tides of War” This artwork is hauntingly beautiful. It transported me to an era of sorrow, divide, and a by-gone era. The muted color choice, no foliage, and composition with the house at a bit of a distance reinforces the message. The title of the work added to the explanation of the art. |
| Zina Poliszuk, “Fantasy Forest” I enjoyed that this piece was full of originality and imagination. It is vibrant, moody, and allows the viewer to imagine what lurks beyond the trees. This is a case where presentation enhanced the art, as the royal blue frame allowed the artwork to stand out. |
| Kathy Daywalt, “Couplet” This piece is strikingly original and reminiscence of ancient figures in the classical world. The tension between ancient and modern worlds is palpable. The contrasting colors, along with the multiple patterns and textures work together to become a cohesive piece. |
How Many Annual Exhibitions has the Baltimore Watercolor Society held?
by Jim Sandford, BWS Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Chair
Given that last month we noted that the Baltimore Water Color Club (BWCC), the precursor to today’s Baltimore Watercolor Society (BWS), held its first annual exhibition in 1897, it would be reasonable to guess that the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition is exhibition number 128. This is not the case, however, as there are gaps and irregularities in the history of both BWS and its exhibitions. This leads us through some interesting twists and turns in the history of BWCC/BWS.
Some irregularities simply have to do with practicalities of planning annual events which may shift to different parts of the year. The 1940 show, BWCC’s 43rd Annual Exhibition, took place at the Baltimore Museum of Art in November. It was followed by the 44th Annual Exhibition in January and February of 1942. Hence, there was no exhibition in calendar year 1941.
The biggest gap in the history of BWS and its exhibitions occurred in the 1940s, caused by the war. As explained in the catalog of the BWS’s 1985 exhibition at City Hall Courtyard Galleries (the centennial year of BWS):
The club experienced a short eclipse from 1942 to 1947, due to World War II. Funds of the treasury were used to buy a mobile kitchen for the Red Cross.
Despite this gap, the club did not lose count of its exhibitions. Numbering continued through the Baltimore Water Color Club’s 57th Annual Exhibition which took place at the Baltimore Museum of Art from December 12, 1961 through January 7, 1962. We also have partial records from the June 10 - July 14, 1968 show indicating that BWCC counted it as the 64th Annual Exhibition.
The period from 1969 through the mid 1970s presents our biggest remaining counting challenge. More on this in upcoming articles.
You are invited to be a part of the deep history of BWCC/BWS exhibitions by submitting your work for consideration to the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition which will run October 11, 2024 through January 5, 2025 at the Arts Barn and Kentlands Mansion Galleries in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Russell Jewell (AWS, NWS, TWSA, ED.D) will be this year’s juror and workshop instructor.
The CaFÉ (Call for Entry) system will be open for applications from June 7 through August 7, 2024. Applicants may submit one or two paintings, of which one may be selected for the exhibition. A detailed exhibition prospectus (very similar to last year’s) will be available by early May.
And please watch this space for more information about the history of the exhibition. If you have information, comments or questions you’d like to submit for consideration, please feel free to contact me at midatlanticexhibit@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org.
BWS Looking to Reach New Audiences for the Mid-Atlantic Exhibition
We are looking for BWS artists/teachers/organizers who would be interested in developing a series of events associated with the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition this fall. The workshops would combine guided tours of the exhibition with hands-on teaching events, and would take advantage of the classroom space at the Arts Barn at the Kentlands Gallery, the site of the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition.
For example, a hands-on demonstration of a few basic watercolor techniques could be followed by an exhibition tour where paintings which make effective use of these techniques would be highlighted. The demonstration and the tour might last for a combined 2-3 hours. There could be sessions for children (accompanied by parents) and others for adults. BWS members with strengths as guides could be paired with others with strengths as teachers, etc.
The general idea is to stir-up additional interest in the Exhibition, perhaps reaching new audiences who might not otherwise be exposed to the Mid-Atlantic.
At this point, questions of budgets, entry fees, etc. remain to be decided. We are first looking to get a cross-section of ideas from our membership as a starting point for detailed concept development and planning.
If you have thoughts/experiences/interests in helping to bring this together, we invite you to contact us at midatlanticexhibit@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org.
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.
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. Annie Strack, BWS, was juried into Society of Watercolor Artists International Exhibit, Watercolor USA Honor Society National Exhibit, Colorado Watercolor Society 33rd National Exhibition, Southern Watercolor Society 47th National Exhibit, and Illinois Watercolor Society 40th National Exhibition.
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All images are the property of the artists and protected by copyright. No image can be used without the written permission of the artist.
Membership
Welcome New Signature Members
Joan Cranor, Hurlock, MD
Linda Holz, Arlington, VA
Barbara Hutchings, Reisterstown, MD
Becky Lindberg, Glen Burnie, MD
Jim Starr, Stewartstown, PA
Kathy Sullivan, Alexandria, VA
Welcome New Associate Members
Mendy Dunn, Westminster, MD
Marion Earl, Washington Grove, MD
Anne Heising, Alexandria, VA
2024 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Team Seeking Awards Donations
The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition is gearing up for a great show, and the Awards team is working hard to gather donations from our corporate sponsors, other watercolor societies, and memorial donors.
All the artists who are accepted into the Mid-Atlantic are exceptional, and the award winners are extra special! We want each award winner to be proud to win an award from the Baltimore Watercolor Society.
Now is the time to think about donating towards the Mid-Atlantic Awards. Any amount is appreciated. If you are thinking of donating a specific award in memory of a loved one, and are wondering how to go about it, or have any questions, please get in touch with the BWS Awards Committee, Janet Freeman & Rebecca Rothy, at awards@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org.
Other Organizations’ “Call for Entries”
The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society
45th Annual International Juried Exhibit
August 3 - September 15, 2024
Lancaster Gallery of Art, Lancaster, PA
Application deadline: May 15, 2024
https://www.pawcs.com/2024-Juried-Exhibition
Board of Governors and Committee Chairs
Baltimore Watercolor Society, a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
President: president@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Secretary: secretary@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Financial Questions: financial@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Mid-Atlantic Exhibit: midatlanticexhibit@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Mid-Atlantic Awards: awards@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Workshops: workshops@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Programs: programs@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Webmaster: bwswebmaster@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Newsletter Editor: newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Archivist: archives@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Hospitality: hospitality@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Membership Database: membership@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Membership Jurying: jurying@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Exhibits: exhibits@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Publicity/Social Media: publicity@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
Past President: bwspastpres@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org