The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa Gallery and The University of Alabama Gallery will host the Watercolor Society of Alabama’s Annual National Exhibition June 4-July 23, 2021, at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center (DWCAC) in Tuscaloosa. Featuring the work of watercolorists from throughout the nation, this event will include a workshop, demonstration, First Friday opening and awards ceremony.
The exhibit will be open to the public beginning June 4 during the First Friday Art Walk from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The juror of selection is Alexis Lavine, and Stan Miller serves as awards judge. A three-day workshop led by Miller will take place June 3-5 at the DWCAC and is open to a limited number of participants with a registration fee. Visit https://watercolorsocietyofal.org to register. Miller will present a demonstration of his painting technique on Saturday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m., which will be free and open to the public.
Awards will be presented during a reception honoring the winners on Sunday, June 6 from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. at the DWCAC. The exhibit will conclude on July 23.
One of the oldest watercolor organizations in the nation, the Watercolor Society of Alabama (WSA) was organized in 1939 and has been a continuing and vibrant influence in advancing the art of watercolor painting and has contributed to the enrichment of the cultural environment of the citizens of the State of Alabama. The society sponsors two annual shows, a national juried exhibition and a statewide juried showcase. The location of WSA National Annual Exhibitions moves around Alabama offering residents an opportunity to view collections of fine art watercolor paintings in their communities.
Nationally known practicing master artists serve as selection jurors to choose paintings that will be exhibited. Nationally recognized judges select, at the exhibition site, the winning paintings. The society receives support from businesses, art galleries and art organizations, which allows WSA to offer over $9,000 in awards. In addition to the educational benefits of the National Exhibition and State Showcase, WSA provides water media workshops for members taught by prominent U.S. artists. These classes provide an opportunity for members to increase their artistic skill and knowledge.
This year’s juror of selection for the national exhibition is Alexis Lavine. A resident of North Carolina, she is an enthusiastic art instructor who teaches painting and drawing classes and workshops around the country. Recently honored as “One to Watch” by Watercolor Artist Magazine, her paintings have been published in Splash, The Artistic Touch, The Best of Watercolor, and Watercolor Artist. Creative Art Press has published a six-DVD instructional series, titled “Creative Watercolor Using Photographs” featuring her watercolor demos.
Award-winning artist Stan Miller serves as awards judge and will lead the workshop June 3-5. Miller is a signature member of and award winner with the American Watercolor Society. He received a first-place award in the Artist’s Magazine competition for landscape painting, and he received the grand prize in the Watercolor Magic Magazine painting competition. Miller also teaches workshops and classes in Spokane, Washington, throughout the United States and around the world.
For complete gallery and artist information, visit cac.tuscarts.org/cacgallery.php and www.firstfridaytuscaloosa.com to view the participating galleries of downtown Tuscaloosa’s First Friday Art Walk.
Gallery hours are weekdays from 9-4 p.m. with facial coverings and social distancing required.
For more information about The University of Alabama’s programs in art history and studio art, visit our Degree Programs page.