Feature Articles


September Issue 2001

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Presents National Watercolor Society Exhibit

The Caldwell Arts Council of Lenoir, NC, is proud to host the 80th Annual Traveling Exhibition by the National Watercolor Society. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 28, 2001.

This exhibit will truly be a sight for sore eyes and most important a rare opportunity to see the best examples of the diversity and talent watercolor media has to offer. Rare because Caldwell County will be the only site on the East Coast the pieces will be exhibited. From here the exhibit travels on to Utah, therefore, be sure to see this exhibit.

The history and growth of this organization is truly remarkable and the magnitude of their expansion over the years gives substantial validation to the work we will see. A combination of long term vision and a true appreciation of the art form itself provided the basis for the founding of the National Watercolor Society. The first exhibition was held in 1921 under the founding name of the California Water Color Society. This show consisted of 21 paintings from eleven members and three invited non-members.

For the first 25 years, exhibitions were held at the Los Angeles Museum of History, however, there was a great desire to have an exchange with east coast artists. Therefore, the 19th Annual Exhibition in 1939 included 19 invited artists including Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. The exchange opened the door- way for an exhibition by the Society in 1940 at New York's Riverside Museum and from that exposure The Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased nine paintings for their own collection.

The outbreak of World War II had a profound change on the Society and most of the original members went their separate ways. Abstract Expressionism of the 1950's was the new art form of the day and it quickly became the face of the Society as well. In addition, the organization was beginning to exhibit outside of the United States, hence the present title of National Watercolor Society and non-profit status was achieved. Ultimately, the painting styles within the Society began to range from realism, photo-realism, expressionism, abstract, and non-representational and this remains to hold true.

If the impact and talent apparent in the catalogue we received in preparation for this exhibit is any indication of what we are to expect, then the actual work must be phenomenal. The realism of figurative work, the vibrant color and form of abstract pieces and the shear luminosity of the medium is sure to create excitement and intrigue in the most unimpressed viewer. You may even want to see the exhibit twice!

For further information check our NC Institutional Gallery listings or call the council at 828/754-2486.

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