How to go
What: “Watercolor Ohio 2010” 33rd annual OWS Exhibition
Where: Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton
When: Sept. 4-Oct. 31
Opening reception: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4
More info: (330) 673-3844; www.ohiowater colorsociety.com
When you combine the Hocking Hills region of southeastern Ohio, a glorious sunset and a masterful watercolor artist, you’re bound to get a winning combination. That was the case with Waynesville artist Leonard Williams. His watermedia painting “Golden Sunset” was not only selected for the 33rd Annual Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibition in Canton, it also was selected for the traveling exhibit that will tour Ohio.
This is the fifth time that Williams has been chosen for the annual OWS show.
“I felt good about getting in. Then, when I found out I was in the traveling show, I felt really good. That’s actually an award in itself to be in the traveling show,” Williams said. “It’s a pretty tough show to get into. OWS is one of the better watercolor organizations in the country.”
With more than 600 active or associate members of OWS, juror John Salminen of Duluth, Mich., had his work cut out for him. He had to review 276 entries for “Watercolor Ohio 2010.” Under his expert eye, only 77 were deemed worthy of the honor.
“It’s always exciting to see what my fellow painters are creating, and I came away from the jurying process both humbled and motivated,” said Salminen, a nationally recognized watercolor artist who has won more than 175 awards in national and international exhibitions. “The quality of the submissions was very high, and I regretted not being able to include more paintings. I’m confident this year’s exhibition will inspire everyone who has the opportunity to see it.”
Other Dayton-area artists who were juried into the show opening Saturday, Sept. 4 are: Yuki Hall and Betty Murray of Beavercreek, Louise Spatz-Doorley of Centerville, Rosie Huart and Bonnie Kuntz of Dayton, Trish McKinney of New Carlisle, Shirley Harbaugh of Troy and Misuk Goltz of Xenia.
A traveling exhibition, including all award winners, will tour Ohio following the conclusion of the full exhibition at the Canton Museum of Art.
Venues/cities on the schedule: Jan. 2011, Amos Library/Sidney; February (to be announced); March, Wassenberg Art Center/Van Wert; April, Southern State Community College/Sardinia; May, Troy-Hayner Cultural Center/Troy; June, Picture This Gallery, Lebanon.
“Watercolor remains a very popular medium with artists as well as the general public. I think that people can understand the process a bit easier than oils or acrylics,” stated OWS president Christopher Leeper. “As children, we all remember painting with the Prang watercolors or tempera paint.”
Contact contributing arts writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.
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