by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
After 20 years of mixing, dabbing and brushing, the Jacksonville Watercolor Society is still going strong. With about 200 members, the group’s reach includes five Northeast Florida counties of art lovers and watercolorists.
“It was begun to promote the arts and watercolor in the community,” said Diane Bennett, JWS public relations and three-year member. “Watercolors seemed to be under represented. There was a large group of people who were interested.”
For those who want to learn more, or perfect their craft, the non-profit JWS offers demonstrations, workshops and opportunities to exhibit their skills. Lectures touch on presentation, philosophy and technique.
Biannually, the society coaxes nationally-known artists to town for a hands-on workshop where watercolor techniques are studied.
As is the case with its monthly meetings, the workshops are open to the public.
“We’re proud to bring quality artists to Jacksonville to demonstrate,” said Bennett. “Our people are becoming nationally recognized, too.”
The meetings provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and critiques. Annual dues are $25. The organization also has a community outreach initiative to introduce the medium to local children.
“We try to go into schools that don’t have an art program, but most do now,” said Bennett. “We give supplies to all the children and do demos. We may highlight Picasso and bring in some of his work. We’ll talk a little bit about him and then demonstrate a painting done in his style. Then all the children paint all their own pictures.”
Versatility plays a role in what the youngsters can create through the community outreach plan.
According to Bennett, a certified public accountant by day and artisan by night, watercolor can be used for any style of painting, including landscapes, still life and figurative pieces.
Even the art teachers will be able to get a watercolor lesson soon.
“It’s going to be a day-long workshop so they can take it [what they learned] back to their classrooms,” explained Bennett. “Watercolor is like a specialty. Some teachers may be more proficient in oils or clay or whatever. We advance their knowledge in an art.”
Artist Hercel Stallard is scheduled to lead the workshop.
Currently, the club meets at Florida Community College at Jacksonville thanks to the influence of FCCJ professor and JWS member Mark Howard. Previously the group met at the Jacksonville Art Museum. With the expansion of the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, it may be able to find a permanent home there.
In the upcoming year, the JWS is considering awarding a scholarship to financially needy art students. The scholarship will place the focus on talent over academics. Part of a larger plan to attract newer members, the group is visiting local colleges to recruit art students. The bait is scholarships or reduced cost workshops.
“We’re looking at A-B students who need the money,” said Bennett. “You can have a great artist that doesn’t care that much about books.”
As the public relations person for the society, Bennett is responsible for notifying the public, via the media, of JWS shows, meetings and other activities. She talks about how she became involved.
“It [watercolor] is fresh, spontaneous,” she said. “You have exciting accidents. I started in clay. I was so hungry for color and watercolor is just fantastic.”
At the society’s 20th anniversary Tuesday, many of the past presidents displayed some of their works. Charter members presented new works, marking the end of the season.
Fall and spring exhibitions are judged by a nationally recognized watercolor artist. The summer exhibition is non-juried and open to all members. It is scheduled for Friday at the Artists’ Corner at Jacksonville Beach. To honor one or two members each year, the organization also presents an Artist of the Year award. This works of this year’s winner are on display at Reddi-Arts on the Southbank through June.
Here’s the schedule for the upcoming season:
Sept. 24
UNF professor Nofa Dixon discusses design in painting and critiques member’s works.
Oct. 29
Susanna Spann leads the fall workshop.
Nov. 12
Pat Weaver provides a demonstration to members.
Jan. 28
Judy Wagner provides a demonstration to members.
Feb. 25
Miles Bates 2 provides a demonstration to members.
March 25
Sumie painting demonstration.
April 8
Spring workshop with artist Arne Westerman.
May 27
Rosamond Parish provides a demonstration to members.
For information, call 645-3756.