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American Society Watercolor Showcase

51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Baptist University is currently showing the 154th International Exhibition for the American Watercolor Society. Inside The Abraham Art Gallery, it is a whole other world everywhere you look. Each piece has captivated the audience, showcasing different art styles in the watercolor category. Dr. Candace Keller, University Curator and Director of Art, secured the exhibit for 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ.

“The 154th International Exhibition- 2021 is a visually stunning show which features an amazing variety of process techniques and subject matter, and works in styles ranging from intense realism to abstraction and design,” Keller said.

The show offers a great diversity of style and artistic design.

“Our first Exhibition from The American Watercolor Society was in October of 2011, and we have had several since then, including their 150th Anniversary Awards Exhibition. The Abraham Gallery is the only venue in Texas selected to receive and exhibit their show, and one of only three in the United States this year,” Keller said.

The American Watercolor Society began in 1903 in New York City with only eleven painters.

“They exhibited their works at the Galleries of the Salmagundi Club on 5th Avenue in New York and continue to do so to this day,” Keller said. 118 years later, it is still up and running. “The AWS is now open to artists worldwide, and was established to promote the arts and the medium of watercolor in particular. They have approximately 500 Signature Members, and more than 1,000 Sustaining Associate members. This year, the AWS Awards given to artists totaled more than 44,000.”

The show features remarkable artistry and symbolism.

“It is a fantastic show that will open your mind to the possibilities of what can be achieved in watercolor and water media,” Keller said.

Art is the window to the soul, and it can be portrayed differently which is what makes it beautiful. All in all, it is so exciting to see God work within this school and continue to bless us!