Bloomington Watercolor Society
STATE of the SOCIETY
January 2009
STATE of the SOCIETY
January 2009
The year 2008 was a year of experimentation and expansion for the Bloomington Watercolor Society.
Our first experiment was to host a five day workshop in August by international instructor Judy Betts of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fourteen people participated in the workshop and subsequently, BWS gained two new members. We learned many lessons about hosting an event of this sort, and will consider doing a three to five day workshop in 2010.
The Spring Workshop was presented by Rod Crossman, an art instructor at Indiana Wesleyan University and an excellent watercolor artist. The workshop was well attended, and at least three of the resulting abstract paintings by the participants have been displayed in galleries around Bloomington.
(Below: Jeanne Iler and Rod Crossman discuss a painting.)
The second experiment was to arrange a field trip. TwinRocker Paper Mill in Brookston, Indiana welcomed a small group in November. It was a beautiful day for traveling, and we thoroughly enjoyed learning the process of papermaking at the only remaining paper mill in America making handmade paper! We look forward to offering the experience of a field trip to an art museum in 2009.
We proudly elevated our membership to include our premier class of Signature Status artists: Connie Brorson, Shelley Frederick, Jacki Frey, Bonnie Gordon-Lucas, Jeanne Iler, Sandy Taylor, Sara Steffey-McQueen, and Tricia Wente. The judge, an artist from outside BWS, using a set of criteria designed by Jeanne Iler and Tricia Wente, the co-chairs of the committee, made the selections. Each artist was presented with a certificate and an engraved pen.
The By-Laws, those ever important rules for an organization’s organization, were reviewed and amended, adding a “Hospitality and Cheer” Committee and a Family Membership package. It is also set up in the By-Laws to review and present amendments in even numbered years.
Cyberly speaking, the BloomingtonWatercolor.org website has expanded to include the By-Laws so they are readily available for reference by everyone. It is also possible to register for workshops and, hopefully, we will be able to pay membership dues on-line in 2009. The blog continues to expand with the meeting minutes and the newsletter, photos of events, and announcements. Meetings and paint outs are announced through the bloomingtonarts.info website, also.
Our Membership Show was held at Gallery North on the Square during the month of July. Over 300 people attended the opening reception, and Cathy Korinek’s painting, “What to Do with Three Boys and a Boat” was sold. The 2009 show will take place at the Showers Atrium in the Bloomington City Hall in September.
BWS is very grateful to have found a permanent home here at First Christian Church for our monthly meetings and workshops. Our many varied programs this year included Chinese brush painting, 3-D watercolor, (aka Aquagami), Framemakers’ Ellen Star Lyons speaking on matting and framing, exercises in creativity, still life painting, just to name a few. The meeting demos and programs for 2009 will include a wide variety of interests, so stay tuned!
BWS hosted eight paint outs in 2008, participated in the T.C. Steele spring and fall plein aire paint outs, and the Art for All Seasons sessions for the Sycamore Land Trust.
(Below: Alice Sharp studiously painting at Stone Head.)
Financially, the organization is on solid ground, ending the year with a balance in our treasury of over $1,500. A print rack was purchased for use at our membership shows, and this is part of the BWS permanent inventory, along with the instructional mirror.
We expanded our enrollment in the Society from 54 to 61 members this year. We have gained in stature as an organization through our workshop offerings, Brushstrokes, contact with various business (such as Pygmalion’s and Framemakers), our membership show at Gallery North on the Square, and cooperative efforts with the John Waldron Art Center and the Baker Gallery.
BWS artist members won many awards this year, including at least three national awards; exhibited at many galleries and shows around the United States and locally; taught classes and gave workshops; and had their artwork become part of permanent collections.
Then, to top off the year, the annual Christmas/Holiday Party and Installation of Officers took place at Gallery North, catered by the Bloomington Cooking School. As part of the festivities, an Aquagami Holiday Contest was held, using the eleven entries for centerpieces. Prizes were awarded to the top three, chosen by popular vote. Carol Rhodes took first place with her tiny painted birdhouse. Other winners were Cathy Korinek, 2nd place, for her charming reindeer ornament, and 3rd, Nina Ost for her beautiful boxes painted with watercolor.
The Bloomington Watercolor Society is a vibrant and important organization, thanks to the energetic officers, the committee chairs, and the members whose enthusiasm is always encouraging and refreshing. I sincerely want to thank everyone who made my year as president so rewarding…and fun!
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Ellen Dutton
BWS President 2008
Cyberly speaking, the BloomingtonWatercolor.org website has expanded to include the By-Laws so they are readily available for reference by everyone. It is also possible to register for workshops and, hopefully, we will be able to pay membership dues on-line in 2009. The blog continues to expand with the meeting minutes and the newsletter, photos of events, and announcements. Meetings and paint outs are announced through the bloomingtonarts.info website, also.
Our Membership Show was held at Gallery North on the Square during the month of July. Over 300 people attended the opening reception, and Cathy Korinek’s painting, “What to Do with Three Boys and a Boat” was sold. The 2009 show will take place at the Showers Atrium in the Bloomington City Hall in September.
BWS is very grateful to have found a permanent home here at First Christian Church for our monthly meetings and workshops. Our many varied programs this year included Chinese brush painting, 3-D watercolor, (aka Aquagami), Framemakers’ Ellen Star Lyons speaking on matting and framing, exercises in creativity, still life painting, just to name a few. The meeting demos and programs for 2009 will include a wide variety of interests, so stay tuned!BWS hosted eight paint outs in 2008, participated in the T.C. Steele spring and fall plein aire paint outs, and the Art for All Seasons sessions for the Sycamore Land Trust.
(Below: Alice Sharp studiously painting at Stone Head.)
Financially, the organization is on solid ground, ending the year with a balance in our treasury of over $1,500. A print rack was purchased for use at our membership shows, and this is part of the BWS permanent inventory, along with the instructional mirror.
We expanded our enrollment in the Society from 54 to 61 members this year. We have gained in stature as an organization through our workshop offerings, Brushstrokes, contact with various business (such as Pygmalion’s and Framemakers), our membership show at Gallery North on the Square, and cooperative efforts with the John Waldron Art Center and the Baker Gallery.
BWS artist members won many awards this year, including at least three national awards; exhibited at many galleries and shows around the United States and locally; taught classes and gave workshops; and had their artwork become part of permanent collections.
Then, to top off the year, the annual Christmas/Holiday Party and Installation of Officers took place at Gallery North, catered by the Bloomington Cooking School. As part of the festivities, an Aquagami Holiday Contest was held, using the eleven entries for centerpieces. Prizes were awarded to the top three, chosen by popular vote. Carol Rhodes took first place with her tiny painted birdhouse. Other winners were Cathy Korinek, 2nd place, for her charming reindeer ornament, and 3rd, Nina Ost for her beautiful boxes painted with watercolor.
(Photo Below: Connie and Carl Brorson enjoying a moment at the party.)
The Bloomington Watercolor Society is a vibrant and important organization, thanks to the energetic officers, the committee chairs, and the members whose enthusiasm is always encouraging and refreshing. I sincerely want to thank everyone who made my year as president so rewarding…and fun!
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Ellen Dutton
BWS President 2008
