Draft:Baltimore Watercolor Society

The Baltimore Watercolor Society, founded in 1885, is a nonprofit membership organization devoted to the advancement of watercolor painting in the United States.

Mission Statement

The established purpose of the Baltimore Watercolor Society is to encourage, educate, and promote professional excellence in the creation and development of original works of art, executed in water-based media, which materials shall include watercolor, gouache, acrylic, egg tempera, casein and ink. The Society's frequent exhibitions are presented free of charge for the education and enjoyment of the public at locations throughout Maryland. Paintings accepted for such exhibitions must be original work, not copies, and not created in a class or workshop. Once each year, through broad distribution of entry brochures to members and non-members from the surrounding seven-state region, as well as nationwide, water media artists are invited to participate in the annual Mid-Atlantic Open Juried Exhibition. Throughout the year, workshops, demonstrations and lectures are offered free or at reasonable fees to encourage, inform, and share among members innovative and unusual water media techniques. Highest ethical standards are promoted in the profession of art, and no race, creed or national origin is favored in the evaluation of an artist's works for Artist membership in the Society. Associate membership is offered to any artist who applies, to encourage their artistic interest and development, and possibly gain Artist membership.

Membership Qualifications

Paintings are juried for the Signature Artist level of membership twice each year in March and October.

Artists are also eligible for Signature membership if they have been accepted in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition three times.

Associate Membership by others is indicated as an "associate" status.

History

Baltimore Water Color Club was founded in 1885 by a small group of women "to encourage cultural interests in the development of professional quality, original works of art, executed in aqueous media" its history is intertwined with the venerable institutions of Baltimore" the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Maryland Institute, and the Charcoal Club. The first annual show, in 1887, was held at the Peabody Art Gallery in the cultural center of Baltimore.

The eight original charter members conducted their first meeting in the Arundel Apartment House at Charles Street and Mount Royal Boulevard. Today there are over 560 members. Many of the country's foremost watercolorists are proudly included in the past and present roster.

Except for a brief hiatus during World War II when the finds from the treasury were given to the Red Cross for a mobile kitchen, the group has continued its educational activities and exhibitions of paintings. In 1977 the group revised its bylaws and changed its official name to the Baltimore Watercolor Society, Inc.

While once confined to Baltimore, this non-profit organization now offers its members the opportunity to display their work in galleries stretching from the Eastern Shore to the mountains of Western Maryland as well as the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Each year they host the well- known Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition where over $8000 in awards are given to the winning entries. A juror of national reputation selects the paintings and conducts a workshop in conjunction with the exhibit. In addition, the Society hosts painting demonstrations. lectures, workshops, peer critiques, bus trips to major exhibitions, publishes a monthly newsletter, and provides the opportunity to paint on location with other artists.

For more than a century, the group has enjoyed a panorama of techniques and styles. The tradition of watercolor is long and cherished. The strength of the Society, however, lies in its continuing encouragement of public interest in aqueous media and the development of excellence in original works of art

Chronological History

Chronological History of the Baltimore Watercolor Club/Baltimore Watercolor Society 1885-2010

1885: The Baltimore Watercolor Club was founded by a group of women painters who attended classes at the Maryland Institute of Art where they primarily copied the paintings of others. The women, who wanted to produce original, exciting watercolor paintings, went outdoors to paint landscapes. Meetings of the Club were held in member's homes.

1897: The first public exhibit by Club members was held at the Peabody Art Gallery.

1900 or 1905: Men were admitted to the Club.

1935: The Club was reorganized after a period of inactivity.

1940: An article in the Baltimore Sun reported that wishy-washy watercolors were becoming more vigorous with bold use of color and design. There were approximately 90 Artist Members in the Club.

1942 or 1943: Club members voted to suspend activities for the duration of World War II and donated $500 to a Red Cross Club Mobile for servicemen abroad and invested $500 in war bonds.

1947: The Baltimore Watercolor Club was revived. It was incorporated by the State of Maryland.

1948: A national watercolor exhibition was sponsored by the Club.

1952: The Club had 111 members.

1964: The Annual Exhibit was held at the Maryland Institute of An, the site of many prior exhibits.

1967: The Annual Exhibit was held at the WCBM Art Gallery. There were approximately 200 Artist Members in the Club.

1977: The By-laws of the organization were revised and the name was changed to the Baltimore Watercolor Society.

1978 and 1979: The Annual Regional Exhibit was held in the Turner Auditorium of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

1984: The Baltimore Watercolor Society gained tax-exempt status.

1985: The BWS celebrated its Centennial Anniversary with an exhibit in the Courtyard Galleries in BaltimoreCity Hall in March. an exhibit at Towson State University in June, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition in the Turner Auditorium(?).

2008: A tag was added to the name: the Baltimore Watercolor Society: A Mid-Atlantic Organization of Watermedia Artists.

2009: The By-laws were revised.

2010: The Baltimore Watercolor Society celebrates its 125th Anniversary.

Some Interesting Notes

The Baltimore Watercolor Society is the third oldest an organization in the United States and the second oldest in Maryland.

"It was with horror that the city learned that the Charcoal Club .. hired a model who appeared in the nude. It was said however, that no spoke to her, that backs were discreetly turned as she dropped her cloak before assuming her pose, and again when the cloak was drawn about her at the end of the session. No one supposed to know her name, and she always appeared masked. Heaven forbid that any lady artist should enter the Figure classes at the club under such unheard-of-conditions!" the Baltimore Sun, November 10, 1940.

In 1940, Andrew Wyeth showed two paintings in the Annual Exhibit.

The Centennial Exhibit featured 71 painters including Millard Sheets, William B. Lawrence, Domenic DiStefano, Edgar Whitney, and Dong Kingman.

The 1985 Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition cost $4,641.47 with a deficit to the organization of $1,142.00.

In 1947, Club dues were $5.00 for Artist Members and $1.00 for Associate Members; by 1975, dues had increased to $800 for Artist Members and $4.00 for Associate Members.

Sometime before 1977, a trip to Nova Scotia for members cost $158.85, excluding meals!

External links

• Baltimore Watercolor Society Website