by Tom Kraycirik, IWE Director
The 43rd International Watermedia Exhibition festivities will open Sunday, March 8 to hundreds of anxious patrons, visitors, and artists wondering who will be awarded honors and prizes in Watercolor Art Society-Houston's premier exhibition. This year ’s exhibition has been juried by famed watercolor juror, teacher and painter Eric Wiegardt, AWS-DF, NWS. His accolades include the highest honor in watercolor painting: the Gold Medal and Dolphin Fellow from the American Watercolor Society, New York.
IWE activities will begin with a watercolor painting demonstration by Mr. Wiegardt at 2:15 p.m. with the award ceremony following at 3:30 p.m. After the honors have been presented, a reception will open the exhibition for viewing. Valet parking will be available for this event. For those unable to attend the Sunday reception two additional receptions are planned. First, an Art Lovers reception will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the WAS-H Gallery. There will also be an Art Party, focusing on a younger audience, to be held Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at WAS-H gallery as well.
Wiegardt has left an indelible mark on the American and International art scene as a teacher and painter with his bold, loose painting style. He has been featured in many publications, including Watercolor Artist Magazine as well as cover artist for both the Artist Magazine and Plein Air Magazine. He has also authored the books “Painting Without a Net” and “Watercolor Free and Easy”. He also has a video series titled “Painting Loosely from Photographs.”
Wiegardt is a graduate of the American Academy of Art, Chicago. His studies and lifelong work in landscape theory work have given him a mastery of the color value properties which render balance and harmony in his works. “An artist ’s artist,” is the accolade given him by Jim McFarlane, president of the American Watercolor Society.
Irving Shapiro, AWS and former president and director of the American Academy of Art describes him as having “An intelligence that enables him to perceive and execute his artistic efforts with rare, sensitive, insights. One of our brightest and inspiring painters.”
Wiegardt and his wife Ann will both be in Houston during the week as he will be conducting a workshop for enrolled artists at WAS-H. The couple has owned and operated Wiegardt Studio Gallery since 1985 and have raised five wonderful children, he commented.
As in the past, WAS-H members have an opportunity to promote the International Watermedia Exhibition themselves by bringing friends and acquaintances to the exhibition during its month-long run. Many of those outside the art community still have not personally experienced paintings created with watermedia. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see some of the best original works in the market today, the IWE team advises. WAS-H volunteers will also be standing by to assist those interested in purchasing works, rarely seen in such a diverse collection of quality paintings from national and international renown artists.
The exhibition is presented with financial support of corporate sponsors including the firm of eepb, tax/audit/advisory, HEB, Art Supply on Almeda, Sterling Wealth Advisors, Texas Art Supply, Karbach Brewing and through the diligent and creative efforts of scores of WAS-H volunteers.
Read more on IWE page
Eric Wiegardt's watercolors can be found on this website - https://ericwiegardt.com
