Meeting: August 9th via Zoom, 6 p.m. (No Business Meeting; Program to Start at 6 Sharp)
Program: “Building Community through our Shared Experiences“
For the month of August, instead of focusing our program agenda on a specific technique or the medium of watercolor, Sara Steffey McQueen will be our host to facilitate time to actually meet one another, share our artistic paths of inspirations in small groups, and bring these experiences out into the larger Group. We have had a year of ZOOM meetings, and not much time or space for connection, and many of us do not actually even recognize one another.
During this meeting time we will have an opportunity to reflect on a few inquiry questions that Sara will present about being an “Artist”, our own creative development and practices, and the kinds of internal dialogues many of us have about” creativity” or our experiences that led us to BWS.
We can of course, play with paint as we listen to one another, or we might bring something we’d like to have seen for feedback or to tell a story about how it came into being.
If you would like to offer a question for reflection to be included, please email Sara at quanyinsara_mcf@yahoo.com. All ideas welcome~ for example, your beginning in art, what you have found most helpful at our Gatherings, insecurities and challenges- or proud and successful moments.
This is an opportunity to meet one another and share what matters to us in ART.
Inside BWS
The Prospectus for the BWS Membership Show is Out
Jacki Frye, BWS’s Show Chair, announced that the theme of this year’s show is “Celebrate Life.” The show will run from October 1 to November 8 with the Opening Reception scheduled for October 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Viridian Moon Gallery. For further information see the full prospectus at Celebrate Life Prospectus
Needed: Publicity Chair
BWS President Joanna Samorow-Merzer is reaching out to members in the hope that somebody will take on the Publicity Chair position as it has just became vacant. “If any of you feels that you can help but only with one assignment, that will be fine too. We can get one person to help with the publicity for our upcoming members show in October and then another person can help with the publicity for the following show, etc. So, please let me know if you could serve the full term as the publicity chair or even if you could help only with a single assignment. I hope I will hear back from someone! Looking forward to your response.”
Recognition For Our New Signature Members
During the September meeting a small ceremony will be performed for the new signature members of BWS. Candace Bailey, Stephen Edwards, Joanne Shank, and Kathy Truelove-Barton will be presented with certificates and special pens in recognition of their accomplishment.
BWS Has a New Committee — The Creative Activities Group
BWS President Joanna Samorow-Merzer announced the establishment of a new BWS Committee to be called The Creative Activities Group. This group is charged with coming up with exciting new adventures that BWS might take on to better serve the memberships. Members of this group include Jeanne Dutton, Creative Director, Carol Rhodes, Jacqueline Fernette and Sharon Parsons.
The Lume: Van Gough — A BWS Sponsored Field Trip
Jean Dutton and members of the Creative Activities Group will host a field trip to The Lume Exhibit in Indianapolis. The field trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields to see The Lume: Van Gogh is scheduled for Thursday, September 30. Transportation will be provided! Jeanne Dutton says “In a couple weeks, you will receive the formal announcement and information about how to reserve a space. Meanwhile, we are polishing off the last little details for this wonderful opportunity. I hope you are as excited as I am!”
Carol Carter Workshop
There are still a openings for the Carol Carter workshop on September 10 and 11. The Bloomington Watercolor Society is paying a portion of each seat, so the price for the 2-day workshop is very reasonable for both online and in-person participation.
For more information, see:https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/carol-carter-workshop/
BWS Paint Outs
Betty Wagner wants to remind members that on August 14 there will be a Paint Out at Story Inn in Brown County. Betty said, “The Inn is an old building with character. There is a garden and during the lunch hour, a BBQ. Watch email and Facebook posting for more information.”
Betty all sent in a report of the Paint Out at IU Hilltop Gardens on July 24. “Seventeen artists enjoyed the gardens on a sunny Saturday morning. For July, the weather was reasonably comfortable. The garden was resplendent with Mimosa trees and flowers in full bloom. The garden manager was pleased to host BWS and invited us to return.”
Outside BWS
Mall Mural
Attached is the photo of a new mural at Simon Mall sponsored by the Art Alliance Association of Bloomington. BWS members featured on the mural include Sara Steffy McQueen, Joanne Shank, Denise Lessow, Cassidy Young, Jane Metranga, and Don Geyra.
Viridian Moon to Host
Bloomington Portrait Group Exhibition
Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 West Bloomfield Road, Bloomington, will host an exhibition by the Bloomington Portrait Group from Saturday, August 21, to Wednesday, September 29. Opening is from 5 to 7 p.m., August 21. Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
The exhibition comprises more than 30 images in a variety of mediums and represents work created by more than a dozen artists over the past three years. Many BPG participants are also members of the Bloomington Watercolor Society.
During normal times, the group meets for two hours every other Thursday to draw and paint from life. Models represent our community’s rich diversity in age, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. The youngest was 8. The oldest, a nonagenarian. Models also include people who help make Bloomington a great place to live, from ministers to judges, radio personalities, and Indiana University Women’s Basketball stars. The one thing all share in common is their interesting faces.
During the Covid-19 quarantine, members received a monthly challenge, intended to keep them working in their studios. Motifs included self-portraits and portraits of loved ones, pets, famous people, statues, dolls, and more.
Artists range from beginners to professionals. About 40 individuals are associated with the group, but sessions typically average six to eight participants. They work in a range of mediums from oil and watercolor to charcoal, graphite, and pastel.
In-person sessions have resumed outdoors at Bloomington’s Switchyard Park. There are no dues, but participants share the cost of the model. If you would like to paint or draw at these sessions, please contact Claude Cookman, BPG Director • ccookman@indiana.edu • 812 336-4851
Anderson Museum of Art
The Anderson Museum of Art is now accepting vendor applications for our fall fundraiser, Over The Edge on October 23. This is your opportunity to support the museum, art programming in Anderson and Madison County, and to display and sell your items.
This is a first-time event, but the Museum is anticipating a great turn-out. The Museum hopes you will be part of the fun! If you have any questions please reach out via email, mandeem@andersonart.org.
Manifest Gallery Seeks Contemporary Paintings
At some point many generations ago society reached a level where ordinary people could spend a lifetime perfecting their ability to mix and apply paint, in extraordinary ways. To mark Manifest’s 10th season the gallery kicked off a permanent biennial project surveying painting as an art form. It was first presented in fall 2013 to inaugurate our expanded gallery. PAINTED 2021 will be the fifth biennial presentation of this international survey of contemporary painting.
PAINTED is a gallery exhibit that calls for works of painting by artists around the world as they carry the tradition forward, or reform it for another day. Submissions can range from the most traditional to the most conceptual, abstract, or experimental, including those which push the boundaries of the common definition of what constitutes ‘painting’. The only criteria beyond excellent quality is that works must in some way represent an honest approach to painting.
NEW deadline: August 5, 2021
For complete details and to apply online visit:http://www.manifestgallery.org/painted
Membership News
Joanne Shank and Sara Steffy McQueen announced that art by Sara Steffy McQueen, Joanne Shank, Denise Lessow, Cassidy Young, and Jane Metranga are being displayed at the new Arts Alliance Center, opening July 31st and then open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s in August.
Sara added, “It is a beautiful venue for gallery space, performances and classes. My theme for the first opening month of late summer are Water images. I’ll also be hosting classes there as a Partner with Home. Home Sales of my art benefit the planting of trees around the world in rainforest areas. Here are a copy of my paintings that will be on display.”
Stephen Edwards wrote to say that his painting titled “Perpetual Machine” was accepted into the Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous 21 Exhibit to be held at the Living Arts & Science Center in Lexington, KY. “I decided to try an abstract for the show and was surprised. Awards to be announced.
‘Rush County Farm #2’ was awarded 1st Place in Paintings for the Light, Space & Time Online Gallery Exhibit. It also won a 3rd in overall mediums in the exhibit.
I have two paintings ‘After A Spring Rain’ and ‘Slow Summer Stream’ accepted in the upcoming 97th Hoosier Salon at the Indiana State Museum. Awards to be announced.
And finally, I was surprised and very excited to get this little pat on the back. The Slider on the NationalWatercolorSociety.org website is featuring a portion of one of my painting.”
Title: Perpetual Motion
Title: Rush County Farm #2
Title: After Spring
Title: Slow Summer Stream
Timothy Lewis sent in four of his recent watercolor paintings.
“Good Shrimping Tomorrow” – 15’ X 11” Using QoR watercolors on 300# Arches cold- pressed. This shrimp boat is tied up for the night as the sun sets. Inspired by a photo taken in 2021 near Charleston, SC on vacation.
The Shrimp Fleet” – 15” x 11” using QoR watercolors on 300# Arches cold-pressed. This portion of the shrimp fleet is docked and preparing for the night’s fishing expedition. Inspired by a photo taken near Charleston, SC while on vacation in 2021.
“Inflation” – 22” x 11” using QoR watercolors on 300# Arches cold-pressed. Two hot air balloons being inflated for the evening flight experience. Inspired by a photo taken by Barbara Lewis near Bloomington, Indiana in the summer of 2020 and painted with her permission.
And lastly, a painting of mine was used to decorate a traffic control box in Shelbyville:
Lynn Gilliatt wrote to say, “I am still stitching on my hand-dyed wool pieces which are delivered to me by subscription from Wool Bundlers, a website hosted by Jean Haley. Jean and I hope to have a show next year. Each of us will feature 48 pieces, the number of hand-dyed wool pieces that a subscriber received from Jean each year.
Mary Sue Schwab announced that she has 2 pieces in the Hoosier Salon Exhibition at the Indiana State Museum as well as another piece in the Indiana Watercolor Society Show at Newfields. Both shows open this months.
Congratulations to Mother and Son!!!!
Calendar : Dates to Remember
Photo: Compliments of Betty Wagoner
August 5 — Deadline for submitting a contemporary painting to Manifest Gallery
August 9 — BWS Program Meeting, 6 p.m. via Zoom
August 14 — BWS Paint Out — Story Inn in Brown County
August 19 — Hoosier Salon Show opens at the Indiana State Museum
August 20 — Deadline for Carol Carter Workshop, both on-site and on-line reservations.
August 21 — Opening Portrait Group Exhibition at Viridian Moon Gallery
September 30 — Field Trip to The Lume
