San Pedro, CA
National Watercolor Society Gallery, October 5-December 17
Zheng Feng, Lonesome Boat, 18 x 24.
This story was featured in the October 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
In 1920, a group of painters who were inspired by the historic medium of watercolor and the expansive western landscape founded the California Water Color Society. As interest grew and more artists joined the ranks, the group soon became the National Watercolor Society and opened a gallery to host various exhibitions year-round. This year the organization presents its 97th annual International Open Exhibition. The show opens on Thursday, October 5. The opening coincides with San Pedro’s new First Thursday Artwalk, and attendees can see both the international exhibition and works from the organization’s permanent collection. An artists’ reception is held on Saturday, October 21, from 2 to 6 p.m.
As it has over the past few years, the show continues to grow in both size and reach. Cathy Hegman, Kathleen Ballard, and M.E. Bailey, a past president of the organization, juried the exhibition from 980 entries. This year, the show features 94 pieces from artists across the country as well as from France, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Russia, Romania, Malaysia, and China. Accepted artists include Anne Abgott, Zheng Feng, William Hook, Dean Mitchell, Carol McSweeney, and Pat Moseuk. Malcolm P. Warner, executive director of the Laguna Art Museum, serves as juror of awards to select Best of Show and a purchase award for the organization, in addition to several others.
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- Denny Bond, Typewriting, 19 x 19.
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- Michael Broshar, San Diego Harbor, 15 x 22.
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- Marc Folly, The Bancel Workshop Boxes, 20 x 20.
While much of the show is composed of realistic work, such as Denny Bond’s intimate still lifes, other pieces feature abstract and contemporary treatments of everything from figures to landscapes and seascapes. “This year, the show is extraordinarily diverse in style, technique, and subject matter,” says Denise Willing-Booher, first vice president of the organization. “The jurors have selected an outstanding and visionary exhibition.”
Artist Geoffrey McCormack, a long- time member of the organization, hosts a demonstration and gallery walk on Sunday, October 22, beginning at 10 a.m. McCormack also hosts a three-day workshop beginning on October 23, where he focuses on designing engaging paintings using the point of view, rich colors, and textural effects often seen in his own work. —Mackenzie McCreary
contact information
310.831.1099
www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org
This story was featured in the October 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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