Art from the Florida Watercolor Society arrives

COURTESY PHOTO Zebra Gathering by Glenda Ackley. Award-winning watercolor artist, teacher and president of the Florida Watercolor Society, Kathyrn Bostwick, has immersed herself every day over the last three years, planning the 2009 exhibition of the Florida Watercolor Society.

She's analyzed Florida markets that would do justice to the 38th annual juried exhibition. She's considered venues for its convention and trade show. She's counseled watercolorists about submitting slides of their work. She's designed brochures and met with committee members and Web designers — all to create the best annual Florida Watercolor Society experience possible.

And her hard work will pay off this week, when the annual juried exhibition of the Florida Watercolor Society opens to the public at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, on display through Oct. 26.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Watercolor Society will conduct its annual convention and trade show, with demonstrations, lectures and slide show critiques, in Bonita Springs, another location along Florida's gulf coast.

COURTESY PHOTO Work Break II by Jean Grastorf For watercolor enthusiasts and artists, "It will be a split experience between Punta Gorda and Bonita Springs," Ms. Ms. Bostwick said — and a benefit to all interested in exquisite artwork created by Florida watercolor artists.

Watercolor in Punta Gorda

The 38th annual juried exhibition of the Florida Watercolor Society will be open to the public for viewing at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda through Oct. 27.

"It's one of the state's most important art exhibits of the year," said Michele Valencourt, executive director of the Visual Arts Center. "The show is typically held in museums, so it's even more significant that the Visual Arts Center will host such a high profile art show."

Three years ago, when Ms. Bostwick, a Punta Gorda resident, took over as president of the Florida Watercolor Society, she was charged with finding an appropriate venue for the state's 2009 watercolor exhibit. At the same time, she worked to establish Creations Gallery on East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda.

COURTESY PHOTO Chinatown She focused on her Southwest Florida home turf. At the time of her search, Charlotte County hospitality space wasn't near what it has become today, so she chose the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda for the exhibit and Bonita Springs for the watercolor society's convention.

A brief history of the Florida Watercolor Society

From 1938 to 1941, the Florida Water Color Society held its first three exhibitions. The current Florida Watercolor Society evolved from these early roots, solidifying its commitment to the art much later — in 1972. At that time, Guy Beattie, director of the Maitland Art Center, invited Florida watercolorists to contribute work for an exhibition. Miles Batt, a member of the American Watercolor Society juried and judged the show. From that show, and with the support of 26 charter members, the Florida Watercolor Society was born. Its mission is succinct: to contribute to the cultural atmosphere of Florida and provide education and assistance to anyone interested in watercolor painting.

COURTESY PHOTO Water Angel by Dwight Hoffman Today, more that 1,150 artists are members of the Florida Watercolor Society. Many of those members will converge on Punta Gorda to deliver, display and reap rewards for their excellence in fine art.

"It's an organization you can grow up in," Ms. Bostwick said, noting that membership is open to novices and professionals alike.

The benefit to all of Southwest Florida is an influx of discerning artists and art enthusiasts

who will dine at area restaurants, purchase art and other goods, and stay at local hotels. A museum-quality color catalog of the show can be purchased for $20. (The catalog is free to members of the Florida Watercolor Society.)

In years past, the annual Florida Watercolor Society exhibition was been held in such high-profile locations as The von Liebig Art Center in Naples and museums at Rollins College, Edison State College and the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. The Florida Watercolor Society's annual display has also been exhibited in Sarasota, Tallahassee, Longboat Key and Boca Raton, among other locations.

Nationally recognized Oregon watercolor artist Judy Morris serves this year as the show's jury and judge. She has already chosen from submitted slides the 100 watercolor pieces that were hung at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda on Sept. 8. Now that the show is hung, she'll select winners of the competition.

Artists gather in Bonita Springs

Split locations will enhance the watercolor experience along the Gulf Coast, with workshops, demonstrations and critiques of individual pieces at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. Workshops are scheduled from Sept. 21 through Sept. 24.

For a complete listing of schedules, costs and information, visit the society's Web site at www.floridawatercolorsociety. org.

watercoloring

Schedule of events — Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda Sept. 20 — The show's judge, Judy Morris, will select award-winning art from the show's 100 pieces. Sept. 25 — The Visual Arts Center will host a reception for the show and its artists. Oct. 26 — Show concludes.

Schedule of events — Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs Sept. 25-26 — Florida Watercolor Society Convention and trade show, featuring demonstrations, lectures and slide show critiques by Judy Morris, Donna Zagotta (Watercolor Artist magazine) and Sarasota's Sue Archer. Sept. 26 — Awards banquet, with judge and artist Dean Mitchell as the keynote speaker. Sept. 27 — The Florida Watercolor Society annual meeting starts at 9 a.m.

Benefits of membership to the Florida Watercolor Society Annual membership is $40 for residents with a physical Florida address. Non-residents can become members, but may not enter shows. The group's annual meeting brings together watercolorists from around the state and beyond. Quarterly digital newsletter. A new online digital show gives artists greater exposure — coming in the fall of 2009. Experienced artists gain exposure through an extensive network of watercolor enthusiasts.