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.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
Subscriptions are available for $18 a year.
Carolina Arts
is published monthly by Shoestring
Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc.
Copyright© 2001 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts
from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts
Online, Copyright© 2001 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved
by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use
without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina
Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.