BWS Highlights Newsletter • September 2025

Juror’s Statement from Barbara Nuss

When I first stepped into the exhibit, I was immediately struck by the overall quality of the work. The caliber of these paintings was impressive—one of the strongest collections I’ve had the pleasure to jury. Having judged many exhibitions over the years, I could tell this one would be especially challenging. I only wish I could have given a prize to every deserving piece.

As the author of Secrets to Composition, I naturally begin my evaluation with design and structure—the very bones of a painting. Regardless of technique or subject matter, if the composition isn’t strong, the work won’t hold together. Once I’ve considered the design, I look next at the artist’s handling of shape, value, color, and draftsmanship—those subtleties that reveal skill, vision, and control of the medium.

As I walked through the gallery, a few paintings called to me again and again. These were the ones that stood apart—paintings that invited a longer look, that offered something more with each return.

After careful deliberation, I awarded Honorable Mentions to three outstanding pieces. Two of them were abstracts that beautifully conveyed the essence and energy of water. Both “Rogue Wave” by Janice Hendra and “Bay Water Reflections” by Annette Uroskie used inventive compositions to lead the viewer deep into the painting, evoking a palpable sense of motion and wetness.

The third Honorable Mention went to “Golden Morning” by Margitta Hanff—a dockside scene rendered in cool complementary colors. Its serenity and subtle play of light made it a quiet standout.

Third Prize was awarded to the only black and white painting in the show, a haunting piece that drew me back again and again. “Fog on the Eastern Shore” by David Drown used a limited palette to powerful effect, creating a sense of mystery and atmosphere that lingered in the mind.

Second Prize went to a beautifully orchestrated composition that radiated a feeling of vastness and timelessness. In “Ships Through Time,” April Rimpo demonstrated masterful control of contrast—of shape, value, and color—resulting in a striking and memorable work.

Finally, First Prize was awarded to “Tilghman” by Karen Norman—a scene of rusty boats docked in warm light. This painting had it all: a strong design, confident handling of the watercolor medium, and a glowing sense of light and distance. It checked all the boxes and more.

It was an honor to serve as juror for this exceptional show. Congratulations to all the artists whose work was selected—you made my job both a joy and a challenge.

For more information about Barbara Nuss, please visit her website at barbaranuss.com.

Announcement of Accepted Artists to the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition

by Jim Sandford, Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Chair

Juror Joel Popadics (AWS, ASMA) has completed his selection of paintings for the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition, choosing 99 works from 353 paintings submitted by 199 artists. Many thanks to Joel for completing this daunting task. Congratulations to all selected artists, and sincere thanks to all entrants for making this year’s Mid-Atlantic application phase a success.

The selected artists are listed on the BWS Mid-Atlantic web page. All entrants have been notified of the results via email—if you entered and have not seen an email, please contact me at midatlanticexhibit@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org so I can investigate and get the information to you.

Selected entrants will soon receive detailed delivery/shipping instructions for the October 6 drop-off date. If you wish to share drop-off responsibilities with other artists, the list of artists’ hometowns on the BWS Mid-Atlantic web page is a good way to start finding exhibiting artists who live close to you. You can then get specific contact information from the Members pages on the BWS website or app.

Joel will select the 2025 award recipients on October 6 (following painting drop-off) and selected artists will be notified by October 7.

The 2025 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition will be open from October 10, 2025 through January 11, 2026 at the Arts Barn and Kentlands Mansion Galleries in Gaithersburg, Maryland. As the exhibition nears, please consult the BWS Mid-Atlantic web page for directions and information about the best days and hours to visit. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2024, 1:30-3:30pm.

BWS Signature Level Membership

BWS is accepting applications for Signature level membership through October 4th. Visit https://baltimorewatercolorsociety.org/ and scroll down to ‘Upcoming Events’ to find detailed information and a link to register.

Direct questions to: jurying@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org

From the Archives: More on the Founding of the Baltimore Water Color Club

by Jim Sandford, Mid-Atlantic Exhibition Chair

We continue our search for information supporting the official account that the Baltimore Water Color Club (BWCC, the precursor to BWS) was founded in 1885. In the last issue we noted that most accounts into the early 1940s cited 1892 as the year of the club’s founding, but we hypothesized that this could be media confusion with the date of BWCC’s First Annual Exhibition, which definitely took place in 1892. Perhaps it was later in the club’s history that it was decided to set the record straight about an 1885 meeting as the founding event.

A piece in The Baltimore Sun on Nov 10, 1940 provides clues. The article featured BWCC founder Christiana Bond, who was 96 at the time (and would live four more years), and her visit to BWCC’s 43rd Annual Exhibition, which took place at the Baltimore Museum of Art November 1-28 of that year. (Apologies to those of you trying to read this on your phones—I’ve included the full article because it’s a really important and interesting part of BWS history.)

(Note that the reference to 1897 is easily proven to be a typo or misunderstanding—1892 has been clearly demonstrated as the year of the First Annual Exhibition.)

It is very clear from this article that in 1940 BWCC, not just the media, was fully aligned with a founding date of 1891, since it was “making plans for its 50th anniversary next year.” It would have taken time to prepare for an 1892 First Annual Exhibition, so it makes sense that the club could/would have formed the prior year in 1891. The account of an 1885 founding was nowhere to be seen in 1940.

Furthermore, it is clear that in 1940 time was running out for firsthand memories of BWCC founding events. Of the other two surviving founders, Gabrielle Clements was 82 and would live until 1948. I’ve not been able to find Elizabeth Arens’ date of death (see the notes below on questions of Arens’ identity).

We’ve discussed in detail how BWCC suspended its activities in 1942 because of the War, the situation exacerbated by the unexpected death of BWCC champion John McGrath. It is clear that the 1885 account could not have emerged until the club was reconstituted in 1948. (1944 articles on Christiana Bond’s 100th birthday and death a few months later contained no additional insights on BWCC history.)

Sure enough, in October 1948 we find the first published account of the BWCC’s founding in 1885 in a general column on current Baltimore arts events.

So we now have a very narrow time bracket, late 1948, when the 1885 account could possibly have first come to public attention. Remember that the account of the 1885 meeting was pretty specific, so must have come from somewhere. We are ready to propose a new working hypothesis:

Theory: The account of the founding of BWCC in 1885 emerged from and was promoted by the leaders who were responsible for reconstituting the club in 1948 after the World War II hiatus. It is possible that information emerging from the death of Gabrielle Clements earlier that year (the last or second-to-last surviving founder) helped bring the 1885 story to light.

We’ll have to continue with this inquiry in future newsletters.

While we’re in the neighborhood, let’s take a short detour to address the question of slight variations in the list of the original BWCC founders. The 1940 article on Christiana Bond lists the following BWCC founders:

• Mrs. Harrison T. Beachum
• Miss Louisa Steuart
• Mrs. Lulu Nelson Ford
• Miss Dora Murdoch
• Miss R.E. Arens
• Miss Christiana Bond
• Miss Gabrielle Clements
• Miss Elizabeth Smith

The BWS 1985 Centennial Exhibition Catalog lists the same women except with the spelling Stewart (we’ve frequently seen both spellings), and citing “B.E. Owens” in place of R.E. Arens. Similarity between the two names suggests that one is a typo. A search on R.E. Arens turns up an entry in the April 1908 American Art News specifically mentioning club member R. Elizabeth Arens.

So we know that there was an R. Elizabeth Arens prominent in BWCC around the turn of the century. Searches for an artist named B.E. Owens did not result in anything notable, although Owens is a pretty common name.

Based on available information I think the official list of founders needs to be the eight listed in 1940 and we can put an asterisk next to R. Elizabeth Arens’ name stating that the B.E. Owens cited in 1985 might or might not be the same person.

And let’s throw one more mystery on the fire. Recent efforts to capture archival copies of BWS newsletters reveal that for a time in the 1990s, BWS claimed that BWS/BWCC was founded in 1883. 1883 is well established as the year of the founding of the Baltimore Charcoal Club, but most accounts of BWCC history put its founding at least a couple years later. Why BWS decided to go with 1883 for a few years, and then later switch back to 1885, is another mystery for future investigation.

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.

Support BWS Sponsors

American Frame Alliance Discount

The more members spend, the more BWS will receive in merchandise certificates to be used for a Mid-Atlantic Award.

Please be sure to log into American Frame to sign up. 

STEP 1:
Before purchasing a frame at American Frame, each BWS member should go to the American Frame Alliance discount website at https://learn.americanframe.com/alliance-discount, register by filling out the form "Sign up to Receive your Discount," select Baltimore Watercolor Society in the drop-down list of “Arts Club or Organization” and press "submit."

STEP 2:
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). 

If you are having trouble, American Frame’s phone number is 1-800-537-0944.

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.

Membership

Welcome New Associate Members

Susan Finnerty-Lampson, Lutherville, MD
Linda Joseph, Silver Spring, MD
Sooja Kim, Alexandria, VA
Ann Murdock, Parkton, MD
Deborah Nielsen, Rockville, MD
Ece Ozdemi Fajardo, Baltimore, MD
Eileen Pestorius, Annapolis, MD
Diana Roman, Gaithersburg, MD
Catherine Rubino, Alexandria, VA
Barbara Sweeney, Silver Spring, MD
Cheryl Wasserman, Washington, DC

In Memoriam

Jean Uhl Spicer, Havertown, PA

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