WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center (WCAC) will host the prestigious Virginia Watercolor Society’s (VWS) 44th Annual Virginia Watercolor Exhibition from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2.
This is the first time since it closed during the pandemic that WCAC has hosted an exhibit from an outside organization in all three of its galleries, it noted.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2023 VWS Annual Juried Exhibition with its amazing array of watermedia artwork. VWS members from all parts of Virginia are represented in this exhibit,” said Karen Schwartz, a member of both organizations and the 2023 VWS exhibition chair. “Although many of our members are also VWS members and have exhibited with them in the past, this is the first time they’ve had the opportunity to exhibit with us via the annual VWS exhibition.”
Schwartz said that 199 artists submitted 455 images of watermedia paintings to VWS for consideration. Ninety were invited to exhibit one painting each at the exhibition.
Carole Barnes, a nationally known watermedia artist and instructor who now lives in Williamsburg, is the 2023 juror for the show. Awards will be announced at the VWS Annual Awards Luncheon and will be posted on WCAC and VWS websites in the week of Sept. 17.
VWS is a statewide art organization with a mission to foster the advancement and study of watermedia painting, which includes watercolor, acrylics, gouache, egg tempura, water-soluble pencils and crayons, and watercolor pencils. It seeks to foster interest and participation in watercolor art through its publications, demonstrations, annual juried exhibitions, and social activities. Each year its Annual Exhibition is hosted by a different venue in Virginia.
WCAC noted it and VWS both have strong public outreach, educational, and social components, providing opportunities for artists to advance their skills and professionalism, supporting budding artists through scholarships, and educating the public about their work.
The exhibit will be open to the public at WCAC’s blue building at 110 Westover Ave. in Williamsburg. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
Most of the artwork in the exhibit will be available for sale.
