Watercolors by more than 80 Western-area artists will be on view at the UO’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art as part of the “Pour It On! Watercolors from the West” exhibit opening April 8.
Organized by the Watercolor Society of Oregon, “Pour It On!” comprises three exhibitions: the 42nd annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, the Watercolor Society of Oregon’s 52nd annual Spring Exhibition and the work of Jeannie McGuire, this year’s juror for both shows. Work on view explores the range of water-based media, including acrylic, casein, collage, gouache, tempera and translucent and opaque watercolors.
The exhibition will open with a free, public reception Friday, April 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. On Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m., McGuire will lead a tour of the exhibition. The show runs through June 19.
“Each year, a different regional member society hosts the Western Federation of Watercolor Society’s annual juried exhibition,” said Ruth Armitage, watercolor artist and project organizer. “This is the first time that the Watercolor Society of Oregon will serve as the host and we are excited to showcase artists from all over the West.”
This is the first time the UO museum has presented a major watercolor exhibition, said executive director Jill Hartz.
“We were honored when the WSO asked if we would consider hosting theirs this spring,” she said. “I’m excited to see how our community responds to the wealth of talent and variety present in the works on view.”
The Western Federation of Watercolor Societies recognizes artistic excellence and encourages the visibility of watercolor as an artistic medium through its annual exhibitions. The group has more than 5,000 artist members in 11 regional societies.
McGuire, an internationally known, Pittsburgh-based artist, will jury both the Western Federation and the Oregon exhibitions as well as showcase her own work. McGuire is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society whose work has appeared in numerous art magazines and is in private and public collections.
Additional support for “Pour It On!” comes from the WSO 100 Club, a nonprofit foundation created by WSO members in 1984, and the following: Ampersand Art Supply, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Creative Catalyst Productions, Golden Artists Colors, Jack Richeson & Co., Salis International Inc., M. Graham Co., Sakura of America, Strathmore Artists Paper, Watercolor Artist Magazine and the Past Presidents of WSO.
The Watercolor Society of Oregon will also sponsor its biannual Watercolor Convention in Eugene from April 7 to 9, including watercolor workshops, lectures, paint-outs and more. McGuire will teach a five-day workshop March 27-31.