NEWS

The Virginia Water Color Society (VWS) is proud to announce that the prestigious 37th Annual VWS exhibition will be hosted in Gloucester and Mathews counties in 2016. The state-wide VWS juried exhibition will be held from May 20 through June 25, 2016. Gloucester Arts on Main Art Gallery will host the exhibition. The Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews will host the corresponding artist workshop. In addition, the annual Bay School Community Arts Center’s Art Speaks on the Bay Juried Art Show coincides with the VWS exhibit bringing widespread attention to the skilled artists in the respective communities and across the Commonwealth.

“Gloucester is honored to co-host this highly acclaimed event in 2016. We are pleased to partner with the Bay School Community Arts Center. Between the two art exhibits there will be two months of exceptional art on display in our communities” said Bill Andersen, Co-Chairperson of the 2016 exhibition. Friday, May 20, a Public Exhibition Opening Reception will be held at Gloucester Arts on Main from 6:00 to 9:00.

The non-profit VWS, established in 1979, is an organization of artists and non-artists that fosters interest and participation in the exciting world of watercolor through juried exhibition and social activities. The VWS Creasy/Johnson Fund provides funding for educating and encouraging deserving artists, especially students and beginning painters. “The exhibition is held in a different locale in Virginia each year. It usually attracts over 100 water media entries from nearly 400 VWS members,” Leslie Belvin, Co-chairperson of the event said. Leslie further stated that Gloucester and Mathew’s residents and businesses will have the opportunity to sponsor awards, which honor family members or promote businesses. This is an exceptional opportunity to promote cultural growth in the Gloucester and Mathews communities.

The VWS 2016 exhibition will be preceded by a workshop May 16 through May 20, taught by internationally recognized water colorist, Mel Stabin. He will also serve as the juror for the exhibition. Mel Stabin, member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, is an internationally known teacher, author, and award-winning water colorist. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Mel studied the art of watercolor with Edgar Whitney. For over 30 years Mel served as an art director and creative director for major advertising agencies in New York and has been included in many international publications. His work can be viewed at his website, www.melstabin.com.

The committee pictured left to right: front row, Leslie Belvin(co-chair) and Pam Doss, standing: David Evans, Wanda Friend and Bill Anderson(co-chair). Not pictured is Carol Negus-Rosenfeld.