BEST OF THE BEST

“Best of the Best” Art Show offers prizes for first time

The Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society opens a new chapter in its art show exhibits by offering First, Second and Third Prizes for new and original paintings by its members.
Watercolor by GCWS member, Jean Vance
The free show, open to the public, begins September 19 at noon to 4 p.m. at Evergreen Retirement Community, 230 West Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215. Viewing of the prize-winning entries will continue daily through October 31, 2010 from noon to 4 p.m. Members of the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society use a variety of watermedia to generate images that range from traditional to the unexpected. Watercolor by GCWS member, Virginia Mooney
During the opening event the Evergreen facility displays its gracious space designed for the senior lifestyle.

Judge for the show is Michael McGuire, an illustrator and President of Cincinnati Academy of Design. As a teacher he instructed and inspired many award-winning art designers.

The Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society is the only organization in the Tri-state area that focuses exclusively on water-based painting. Although watercolor is the primary paint, members also use gouache, casein, and acrylic on surfaces such as paper, Yupo, (a plastic product), board, canvas and hand-made paper. The art might be brushed, sprayed, poured or printed onto the surface.

Begun in 2002 with the intent of offering a gathering place to paint, the organization quickly grew from 29 members to over 100. The purpose of the organizers was to make it an inclusive group. Thus no labels denote levels of expertise although a recent survey showed that over 50 percent consider themselves advanced artists. Watercolor by GCWS member, Sam Hollinsworth

The watercolor society offers painting demonstrations followed by a workshop every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Cincinnati Art Club, 1021 Parkside Place in Mt. Adams. Guests are welcome at attend. Watercolor by GCWS member, Joan Miley

Monthly notes of meetings plus other relevant information for artists can be seen here at the organization’s blog: http://gcws.blogspot.com/.

August Minutes

Art Supply Sale – There was a pre-meeting and post-meeting sale of art supplies, books, frames, etc., including a “free” table with donations going toward the GCWS Scholarship Fund.

In the absence of our President, Joan Miley chaired the meeting.

The Treasurers Report - Alice Fossett announced we began the month of July with $8,959.64 and ended it with a balance of $8,526. 82.

July Minutes - Carol Fencl, Communications, announced that the minutes could be viewed online at our blog. Paper copies were passed for those who did not have internet access.

New member Taylor Bush introduced her guest.

Report from The Evergreen Committee:
Entry forms for the Evergreen show were available, as well as postcards and flyers. All persons will need to sign a waiver for their pictures to be hung in the show. This can be submitted with the picture if someone else is delivering it on Sept. 16, or else signed that day.
A few more spaces are still available for sitting the show on the weekends at Evergreen.
The sign-up sheet for the free lunch to be held after our Oct. meeting at Evergreen (Oct. 6) was passed around to give them an idea of approximately how many planned to attend.

Joan introduced our guest speaker Deb Ward. Her topic was Innovative Watercolor Technique with Casein. There was no critique after the presentation. An afternoon workshop was offered by Deb.

In September the program will be Exploring Color and Creativity, presented by Nita Leland.

Submitted by Carol Fencl, Communications