Some of the best of Michigan’s contemporary water colorists officially arrived in Ann Arbor on Friday, April 17. The new show at the Ann Arbor Arts Center should not be confused with the annual show that the Michigan Watercolor Society puts on every year.
“Most statewide watercolor societies have a more elite status that you can obtain, called a signature status,” Rocco Pisto, the president emeritus of the MWS, explains. “So, when I was president, our board researched the various state watercolor organizations and determined how they handled signature status. We pulled that information together and came together with our current program.”
The MWS has held its yearly show for years and years. But this is only the fourth ever Showcase show—where the artists get selected through an out-of-state jury system. Donna Thibodbau was one of these artists.
“It’s called Daylight,” Thibodbau said of her entry. She added that when she paints “there’s usually memories involved, emotion.”
There are 42 pieces on display from 32 artists. “All but two” of the pieces are for sale, Jenn Queen, the A2AC executive director, said. To get into this show, artists need to have been in one of the yearly shows at least once in the past decade, and then they have to go through the jury system.
The watercolor show is a good example of something that happens a lot in shows like this. They are all watercolor painting—all demonstrating precision, passion and creativity—and yet everyone chose totally different subject matter, and each painting shows each artist’s unique personality.
“I love the variety. I’ve picked out like five favorites that are very, very different,” Arelene Guindon, an Ann Arbor resident who was a guest for the opening reception, said. “I like the arm one … that makes a political statement on the state of war today. I love it. And I can’t believe that the jacket is watercolor! … and I really like the Napa Valley one. I really like the outdoor ones.”
The Ann Arbor Arts Center is located between West Side Books and the Beer Grotto on West Liberty Street. The watercolors will be on display until May 26.
“We’re honored that they choose to host this exhibition here,” said Queen. “Its is the best of the best of watercolor artists in the state. For us, it’s a way to recognize that we support working artists, and we want to expose people of all different types to the art that they create.”
Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
