Cool off this summer with watercolor exhibition - #lakewoodnews

The best escape from the summer heat is water, and the Arvada Center is overflowing with talent during its diverse watercolor exhibition.

The Summer of Watercolor is on display at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Aug. 28. The show is comprised of the 41st Annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition, in the Main Gallery, and the 25th Annual Colorado Watercolor Society State Exhibition, in the Upper and Theatre Galleries.

The Summer of Watercolor exhibit has been in the works for about five years, according to exhibition coordinator Kristin Bueb, and features more than 195 paintings in its three galleries. The one rule is that all pieces must be watercolor or watermedia on paper.

"It's very prestigious for these artists to be on display here at the center," said Gene Youngmann, project manager with the Western Federation. "There is so much variety in our works --; everything from stills and landscapes to florals and abstracts."

The Western Federation Exhibition features the works of artists from the 12 Federation societies, including the Arizona Watercolor Association, Texas Watercolor Society and Watercolor Society of Oregon. There were 1,065 paintings entered by 517 artists, according to Youngmann. Juror Sterling Edwards selected 134 paintings for the exhibit.

"A lot of our artists enter the running for this show, but we have around 16 for whom this is their first exhibit,"Youngmann said. "A regional show like this is a benchmark for young artists as they move up in the art world."

The 25th Annual Colorado Watercolor Society State Exhibition features about 65 paintings from some of the state's best watercolor artists. Gale Webb was the juror for this exhibition.

"We only do three or four shows a year, and this exhibit was open to any Colorado artist," said Gary Nichols, co-chair of the Watercolor Society. "Any time you're in a juried show, it's a feather in the artist's cap. And to be selected by jurors like this, it's certainly validation."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Cool-off-this-summer-with-watercolor-exhibition,216671?branding=15