February Newsletter

Upcoming DWS Events

Signature-Level Exhibition – March 15-April 25, 2011

Signature-level Artist members will show their works in the Parker Library at 120 N. State Street, at the invitation of Wesley College, in Dover, DE.  Artists will be present to interact with the community and students and to discuss their art work and their approaches to watercolor painting.

Members are invited to the opening celebration on Thursday, March 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. and to the president’s home immediately following for wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Juried Show at the Biggs Museum of American Art –May 6-29, 2011

Artists may submit up to two original works that have been created within the past three years and are water-based media; no water-based oils. DWS will accept works in transparent acrylic. Works are to be executed on paper (watercolor paper, illustration board, yupo, and rice paper).  No digital art or digitally enhanced art will be accepted.

All works must be for sale and not previously exhibited in DWS juried shows.  No giclées or prints are permitted.   DWS members must be in good standing and be 18 years or older and reside in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.  Non-members may also apply.

We are delighted to have Kass Morin Freeman as our juror and awards judge. Freeman is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society as well as many others. She is the winner of more than a hundred awards in national, international, and regional exhibitions, including the High Winds Medal from the American Watercolor Society in 2000 and the AWS Hardie Gramatky Award the following year. She will select awards for First, Second, and Third place, as well as Juror’s Choice.  Monetary awards will be included for the top three winners.

Entry fees are $30 for members; $35 for non-members.  The opening reception is Friday, May 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum, 406 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19904.  For more information, the prospectus, and entry forms, visit www.delawarewatercdolorsociety.org.

 Mini-workshops 

DWS is planning four mini-workshops this year on topics such as how to prepare for a juried show, how to frame your work, how to develop a travel journal, and more. The first session will be sometime in April or May.  We’ll keep you advised as to when and where.

Member News

         Congratulations to Laura Hwang and Siv Spurgeon who were juried in as signature-level Artist members in January!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first signature-level process.  According to our Chair, Elizabeth Collard, things went smoothly. The jurors did an excellent job in reviewing and evaluating all entries against the requisite criteria and standards.  The next jury process will be sometime in July, so watch the newsletters for the dates and times.

We also welcome new members Bev Bellows, Sonja Damico, and Richard Matthews.

Other Exhibitions and Calls for Entries

California Watercolor Association – April 23

The California Watercolor Association‘s 42nd National Exhibition will be held from September 8 through October 9, 2011, at the Marin Art and Garden Center.  The Awards Ceremony and Artists' Reception will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2011, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.  We anticipate more than $15,000 in cash and merchandise awards.         

You may enter the competition by using the on-line entry form on CWA’s website, www.californiawatercolor.org. If you’d liked to have a copy of the prospectus mailed to you, please send a SASE to: Prospectus CWA 42^nd, 1740 Arlington Blvd, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Online entries only, the deadline is April 23, 2011.  

Rocky Mountain National Watermedia – May 23

         In its 38^th year, the RMNW Society’s annual exhibition is September 17-November 6, 2011.  Up to $10,000 in awards. 

Juror Cheng-Khee Chee is a Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society, signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and many others.  He has received more than 200 awards in national competitions.

The show will take place at the Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO.  For a prospectus and more information, contact FAC at 303-279-3j922, or visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society – June 1

         PWS will hold its 32^nd international juried exhibition, October 8 – November 11, 2011, at the Chester County Art Association, 100 N. Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA.

         The exhibition is open to all artists 18 or older working with water media on paper.  More than $9,000 in cash and merchandise awards.  For more information and a prospectus, email Beverlyart@aol.com or go to www.pennsylvaniawatercolor.blogspot.com

                                             ***

Please submit any news item(s) you have before the 29th of each month to Elizabeth Collard at fleur-de-lisstudio@comcast.net

DWS Outreach

Hello everyone,

 

In 2011,  DWS will  be participating in more community outreach and educational efforts.  You will receive announcements about these when they are available and they will be on our website.  Here are the first two.  If you would like to plan similar events in your area, please contact your Kent or Sussex County Regional Directors listed on our Members page, or you can write to DWS at PO Box 984, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

 

 

- As you may recall, at our annual meeting last June, Rehoboth Elementary art teacher, Kelly Palladino made a presentation about their artist-in-residence program.  At that time, we donated many bags of art supplies and some cash to the school.

 

Kelly and the children sent us  thank you letters and a class schedule.

 

Please consider volunteering at the school. It can be one day for one week.  Take a look at the schedule, and if you are interested, contact Kelly and let her know. Kelly will  also send you the forms you need to volunteer.

 

This information, along with forms you can download, and more of the kids' artwork were emailed to you earlier.

 

 

- In March-April 2011, Wesley College will host DWS Artist members (signature-level) at a show and sale at the Parker Library in Dover.  As part of this event, to strengthen arts in the community, DWS artists will talk about their work, sharing their inspiration, process, and technique in watercolor painting.

 

All DWS members are invited and encouraged to attend the opening celebration, Thursday, March 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Delaware Watercolor Society Spring Exhibition at The Biggs Museum

Delaware Watercolor Society

Spring Exhibition

May 6- 29, 2011

The Biggs Museum of American Art

Dover, DE

Call for Entries

All Delaware Watercolor Society (DWS) members are encouraged to enter this show, which will hang in the upper gallery of the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, DE.  Noted collector and philanthropist, Sewell Biggs, founded the museum in 1993, which houses the paintings, sculpture, furniture, silver and other antique objects Mr. Biggs acquired in more than 60 years of collecting.  Mr. Biggs’ private collection of fine and decorative arts reflects the history of art within Delaware and throughout the Nation. DWS is very fortunate to have its first juried show in this beautiful setting.

Juror and Awards Judge:  Kass Morin Freeman

Well-known artist Kass Morin Freeman is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society as well as many others. She is the winner of more than a hundred awards in national, international, and regional exhibitions, including the High Winds Medal from the American Watercolor Society in 2000 and the AWS Hardie Gramatky Award the following year. Her work has been published in books such as Make Your Watercolors Look Professional, Splash III and Splash 7, Best of Watercolor II, Watercolor For the Serious Beginner, Creative Expressions in Watercolor and "International Showcase of Prize Winners" in International Artist issues 14 and 21.  We look forward to having her as our juror and awards judge.

Awards

DWS will present awards and ribbons for First, Second, and Third place, as well as Juror’s Choice.  Monetary awards will be included for the top three winners.  The amount of the awards depends on the number of participants and other factors.

eligibility and requirements

Artists are invited to submit up to two original works that have been created within the past three years and are water-based media; no water-based oils. DWS will accept works in transparent acrylic. Works are to be executed on paper (watercolor paper, illustration board, yupo, and rice paper).  No digital art or digitally enhanced art will be accepted.

All works must be for sale and not previously exhibited in DWS juried shows.  No giclées or prints are permitted.   DWS members must be in good standing and be 18 years or older and reside in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.  Non-members may also apply.

Framing Information and Instructions:

• All entries must be framed and wired on back to accommodate installation. Appropriate

hooks, eyes, and wires only; wood frames require a dust cover, in good condition, securely

attached to the back of the frame. Metal frames must have appropriate spring spacer

bars evenly distributed under the back of the frame to secure the artwork and glazing in

position; ready-made, photo-type frames secured only with clips are not allowed. No

cardboard backing is permitted. Please avoid wide dark or black frames. 

            • Mat colors are limited to white, cream or light gray; double matting is permitted.

• Submitted works must be framed according to professional standards and covered with glass or plexiglass. Plexiglass is preferred for works 30” or greater in either direction

            • Maximum framed size:  no larger than 36” in either direction.

            • Minimum framed size: 12” in either direction.

            • Maximum weight: 30 lbs.

.

Rights, Responsibilities, and Liability

            Entries not meeting any of the above conditions will be rejected.  DWS reserves the right to determine the suitability of artwork for this exhibit. Submitting an entry for this exhibit means that

            • The work is original and does not infringe on any copyright;

            • DWS and the Biggs Museum have permission to reproduce accepted works in the exhibition catalogue, on its website and in media promotions.

            •Artwork is for sale.

Entry Fee:  DWS  Members: $30 for up to two entries.  Non-members:  $35 for two entries.  Make checks payable to the Delaware Watercolor Society and present during drop off of artwork.

Sale of Work

Prices for all works sold to the public are determined by the artist.  The Biggs Museum receives a 25-percent commission on the sale of exhibited works. Works are to remain in the gallery until the end of the show. 

Insurance

The Biggs Museum gallery’s general insurance will be in effect from the receipt of entry through the designated pickup dates.  Please fee free to insure your work as you see fit for the exhibition.

Insurance Exemptions

The Biggs Museum of American Art will make every effort to protect artists’ work, using care in handling.  Works that are not framed according to professional standards and/or that do not follow the framing information and instructions will not be insured. 

Delivery and Pickup           

Hand Delivery On

 Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pickup of Work Not-Accepted

            Thursday, May 5, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Pickup of Accepted Work after Show

            Saturday, June 4, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Notification

            Notification of non-accepted works only will be by phone or email by May 4, 2011

Opening Reception

The opening reception will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m.   

Gallery Hours, Location, and Contact Information

Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and Sunday 1:30-4:30 P.M.  Closed Mondays.

Museum Location and Contact Information

Biggs Museum of American Art,

406 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19904.

Phone: (302) 674-2111, ext. 108

Email: rgrover@biggsmuseum.org

DWS Entry Information

Entries are to be delivered by hand on dates indicated in the prospectus.  Please complete the entry and labels forms.  Attach labels to the wire on the back of your artwork, as indicated.  Please give the remaining forms to the DWS receiving member at the site along with your entries and entry fees.  Artwork will not be accepted without completed forms.

For additional information, please visit www.delawarewatercolorsociety.org,  or contact Anne Cyr, Show Chair, at cyrdsgn@comcast.net, or  (302) 226-7781.

January Newsletter

January 2011

Calling All Volunteers

The DWS Board of Directors is seeking volunteers to provide some much needed assistance. 

·      We need help searching for and securing new venues in which to exhibit your work;

·      We need members who will work with President Anne Crown-Cyr to seek out and secure award sponsors for our juried exhibitions;

·      We need volunteers to participate in our new quarterly mini -workshops;

·      We need recruiters to help expand our membership base;

·      We need planners and workers to assist in developing plans for our annual General Meeting in June;

·      In short, we need you, the membership, to participate in helping the organization to grow in many directions.

Please consider what you can do to help DWS in one or more of these efforts.  Contact Anne via e-mail at cyrdsgn@comcast.net  or call her at 302 226 7781 to volunteer your services. 

Dues ARE Definitely DUE

By now you should have received a Dues notice in the mail.   If you have already sent in your 2011 annual dues, we thank you for your prompt response.  If you still need to send in your payment, please do so as quickly as possible to prevent interruption of your membership.  The deadline is January 31^st.  Artist members please remember your dues are $30.00 annually, Associate members your dues are $20.00.  Signature members who fail to pay annual dues will forfeit your Artist-level Signature status and will have to reapply to be reinstated at that level.  Please send your checks made payable to DWS to:

Lynn Brittingham, Membership Director

DWS

P.O. Box 94

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

        

Artist Member Jury

DWS conducted its first Artist-level Membership Selection Process on Jan. 15, 2011.  A jury of five signature members met to evaluate four paintings from each candidate who entered the Selection Process.   A set of rigorous, objective criteria was established by the Executive Board, this was utilized by the Jury to determine if the candidate’ s work met the high standards set by DWS for its Artist-level members. 

This is an event that will be conducted twice each year in January and July on the third Saturday of those months.   The Selection Process is open to members and non-members.  Once a candidate has been selected, he or she must then pay the artist-level dues to finalize the process.   The next Selection Process will be held on July 16^th.  If you have questions about the application procedures and requirement, contact Elizabeth Collard, Signature Coordinator at

 fleur-de-lisstudio@comcast.net  or call her at 302 645 4821.

This is a strictly confidential process and both jurors’ and candidates’ names are withheld.  New Artist-level members will be announced once they have received official notification and have paid the dues required.

Member News

Isabel Pizzolatto had all three of her miniature watercolor paintings accepted into the D.C. Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society’s Annual International Show held in Strathmore Hall In North Bethesda, MD.

Congratulations are in order, Anne Crown-Cyr not only had a painting selected into one of the prestigious Art League of Alexandria shows but also received an Honorable Mention Award for her entry.

Welcome to new DWS Associate members:

• Ms. Siv Spurgeon, NWS, PWS, BWS, PWCS of Swarthmore , PA

• Ms. Nancy Orme Mysak, BWS of Allen, MD

Rosemary Connelly and husband, Bob recently presented a lecture at Mispillion Art League’s “Third Thursdays” titled: Making Art in Italy.  They shared stories about their adventures, with photographs, paintings, watercolor journals and more.

It with sadness that we report the recent death of Julia Morey of Lewes, DE.   She loved being an artist and thoroughly enjoyed every minute she spent painting.  Julia will be deeply missed by her many friends. 

DWS UPCOMING EVENTS

Paint, Paint, Paint -- you need to start now so that you will have entries ready for the upcoming DWS Exhibits that are rapidly approaching.

• Wesley College invites DWS Artist members to exhibit up to three paintings at the Parker Library from March 15-April 25, 2011.  If you are not an Artist member, you can enjoy the show and opening reception on March 17, 3-5 p.m., 120 North State Street, Dover.  For more information, contact Susan Johnston, DWS Regional Director at ssj@wesley.edu or call her at 302 678-3450.

        

• Arrangements are currently being made for a DWS Juried Exhibition in May at the Briggs Museum in Dover, DE.  Watch for updates on this exciting opportunity.

• In July, DWS will sponsor its annual Summer Juried Exhibition at Nassau Valley Vineyards, in Lewes, DE.  Make sure you are ready to submit your best work.

Other venues are presently being assessed.  If you know of any show space opportunities in your area, please forward that information to any of the DWS Executive Board members.

Mini-Workshops

DWS is launching a new educational venture.  Starting in April, DWS will conduct a Saturday Mini-Workshop on a quarterly basis.  Each mini-workshop will have 3 - 4 topics presented from 9: 00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Space is limited to thirty participants and a fee of $30.00 will be charge for the day-long educational event.  You will need to provide your own lunch on-site.  The first workshop is planned for early April.

Some topics for the April workshop will center on:

·      Digital Photography and preparing digital photos  for CD or electronic entry into shows

·      How to Mat your Artwork

·      What you need to know about and how you can improve your chances of being Selected for a Juried Show

Website

A Reminder from Patti Bishop, DWS Website Director, to please submit a digital photo of one of you painting for inclusion into the DWS on-line Gallery.    Contact Patti for size and additional information at patti.bishop@gmail.com.

If you have questions or need assistance regarding DWS issues or events please contact one of our Executive Board members (See our website for contact info at www.delawarewatercolorsociety.org/members):

Anne Crown-Cyr, President

Elizabeth Collard, Vice President  

Isabel Pizzolato, Treasurer

Lynn Brittingham, Secretary/Membership

Donald Blow, Workshop Director               

Patti Bishop, Website Director

Sally Culp, Sussex Regional Director

Susan Johnston, Kent Regional Director