Center Space Gallery
June 5 – July 24, 2024

The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum is pleased to present the Iowa Watercolor Society (IWS) Traveling Exhibition for 2023-2024.  IWS was organized in 1977 by a small group of enthusiastic watercolorists led by Joe Messner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Their members reside all over the state and a few from out of state as well.

Each spring and fall they bring in nationally and internationally recognized artists to conduct workshops.  Recent instructors include: Soon Y Warren, Michael Holter, Frank Eber and Alexis Lavine.  In the fall, along with its annual meeting, IWS sponsors workshops and a juried exhibition with monetary awards.  This year’s instructor/juror is David R. Smith, AWS, NWS.  Visitdsmithfineart.com to learn more.  From this exhibition, a 30-piece traveling show is selected by the juror to travel, throughout the following year, to various locations around Iowa.  At these shows, IWS members often provide talks and/or small classes to introduce people to the medium of watercolor.

Iowa Watercolor Society also conducts an online show once a year, giving its members an opportunity to display and sell their artwork to a larger audience.  A miniature show is also held each year at a Des Moines venue.

For more information about the IWS, please visit their website, iowawatercolorsociety.org

Image: Diane Tough, Des Moines Farmer’s Market, watercolor on paper.