For the first time ever, the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s annual spring show is going virtual. The online exhibit will run from March 1 to 14 on naws-az.org. “This is a year for adaptation and flexibility, and we’re delighted to be able to share with the community the work of our member artists. With stay-at-home restrictions, many artists have worked to produce inventory of exhibit caliber,” says Marsha Owen, president of the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society.
Founded in 1995, the watercolor society is a group of about 150 experienced and up and coming painters who typically meet once a month to complete a “program” or lesson such as pouring paint techniques, intuitive painting, design and composition or drawing. The society also has a large DVD library of educational teaching videos and sponsors scholarships for high school students. The society has art critique groups where small groups will meet to discuss their work.
“It’s an opportunity for artists and friends of artists, if you will, to gather for a lively exchange and to share techniques and opportunities,” says Paula Holcomb, publicity chair for Northern Arizona Watercolor Society. Paula, who has been a member for about 10 years, tells us the group meets to celebrate watercolor paintings. “The dynamic is curiosity and exploration and … letting go of fear and moving into the unknown. There’s a spirit of painting and being supported by your colleagues and your painting buddies without having to produce a masterpiece each time. You paint for pleasure. You don’t just paint to exhibit and win awards. You paint to share,” says Paula.
“Garden Party Girls” by Julie Ronning Talbot. “Garden Party Girls” was the Best Of winner from the 2020 Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s annual juried spring show.
“The emphasis is on the diversity of style, technique and approach. Watercolor is known as a very difficult medium because of applying the pigment to the paper, and the medium is water so it’s a difficult medium to control and yet the effects on paper are absolutely gorgeous when you get it right.” Watercolor painters can be realistic or expressionistic. Some members of the society head outside to complete plein air watercolor paintings. But like many organizations, the watercolor society has suspended in-person meetings during the pandemic. Paula says she’s curious to see the paintings people have spent creating at home. She’ll find out soon enough. From about 100 entries, juror and Sedona painter Carl Dalio will select roughly 50 to 60 winning paintings for the annual spring show. It was important that the show carry on, even if members can’t gather in person as in past years.
“It was a moral and artistic encouragement to our members to keep to keep spirits up to let folks know that they have a skill and an opportunity that they can keep doing during the pandemic,” says Paula. “It was a lifeline.” “It’s just something that the members so look forward to,” says Marsha, of the show that’s been ongoing for more than two decades. “It means a lot to be selected for this show … To cancel this would be such a disappointment for people. It’s just a great tradition, and it’s a motivation.”
The group hopes to return to in-person meetings starting on Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. at the Sedona Community Methodist Church. Visit naws-az.org for more information.
