16th Annual “Watercolor Paintings from the Refuge” Show, Reception and Awards

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BWS / Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA)
16th Annual “Watercolor Paintings from the Refuge”

November 1, 2019 – January 31, 2020
MINWR Visitor Center, 1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, FL

Thirty one beautiful paintings from Brevard Watercolor Society members were chosen by judge Judy Mercer. Categories for art this year were Refuge Flora, Fauna, and Life on the Indian River Lagoon. Awards were presented at the Opening Reception at the Refuge Visitor Center on Sunday, November 3, 2019, which included:

Best of Show: Therese Ferguson, “Prickly Pears”
MIWA Award: Susan Smith, “Cleared for Landing”
Best of Life on the Lagoon: Mikey Riedl, “Laguna De Ais”
Best of Flora: Therese Ferguson, “Prickly Pears”
Best of Fauna: Susan Smith, “Cleared for Landing”
Merit Award: Darleen Hunt, “Red Kayak”
Merit Award: Cindy McKee, “Gliding Towards Sunset”

Merit Award: Darleen Hunt, “Wild Hogs”
Merit Award: Therese Ferguson, “Basking In the Sun”
Merit Award: Mary Lou Antes, “Resting”
Merit Award: Dorothy Koliba, “Here Comes Mama”
Merit Award: Kathie Benson, “Misty Habitat”
Merit Award: Phyllis Lappert, “Watchful Eye”
Merit Award: Beverly Morgan, “Splish Splash”

Click on the photos below to enlarge:

Our thanks to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Association and Refuge for their support and enthusiasm in hosting the show and reception. Hats off to our judge Judy Mercer, as well as MINWR’s Kim King-Wrenn and Layne Hamilton for selecting the MIWA Award. As always, we are grateful for Co-Chairs Darleen Hunt and Therese Ferguson.

In addition to congratulating the award winners, we applaud the artists who were chosen to exhibit in this year’s show: Mary Antes, Kathie Benson, Barbara Burkhardt, Pete Crumpacker, Jeanette Drake, Therese Ferguson, Diane Harmon, Darleen Hunt, Dorothy Koliba, Susan Kessler, Christiane Kopp, Beth Kring, Phyllis Lappert, Phyllis Marple, Carol Marshall, Connie Marshall, Cindy McKee, Beverly Morgan, Mikey Riedl, Susan Smith, Sue Tully, Lolly Walton and Debbie Whalen.

Please be sure to visit the exhibition, on view until January 30, 2020 at the MINWR Visitor Center, 1987 Scrub Jay Way in Titusville.

Darleen Hunt

Annual “Watercolor Paintings from the Refuge” Art Show

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The Brevard Watercolor Society (BWS) and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) are delighted to announce their “14th Annual Watercolor Paintings from the Refuge” juried art show, scheduled for November 1, 2019 through January 30, 2020. The theme for this years’ show is “Life Along the Indian River Lagoon,” with artists’ submissions on display at the MINWR Visitor Center.

Each year BWS artists present a collection of works that are created from images taken at the MINWR while on a special tour of the refuge, which allows them to take photographic reference material for their paintings. The paintings are juried by a selection of local artists and BWS members. Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) hosts an art reception and awards presentation at the MINWR Visitor Center, this year scheduled for Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00pm.

The original watercolor paintings of native wildlife, flora and fauna from the refuge on exhibit in the Visitor Center are offered for sale, with a portion of the proceeds donated by the artists to MIWA. Matted prints of some of the paintings are also offered for sale in the Bookery.

For more details and to enter the show, click the buttons below:

BWS/MINWR Show Entry Details
BWS/MINWR Show Entry Forms

Show Contacts
Darleen Hunt: 321-452-8433 or dhunt125@aol.com
Therese Ferguson: 321-749-6962 or thereseart@aol.com

2018-2019 Award Winners

Refuge Award
“Baby Teeth” by Jane Steiner

Scrub Habitat Award
“Scrub Shadows” by Darleen Hunt

Best of Flora
“Berries Gone Wild” by Lori Pitten Jenkins

Best of Fauna
“Florida Scrub Jay” by Darleen Hunt

Merit Awards
“Colorful Seagrape Berries” by Therese Ferguson
“Peek-a-boo” by Therese Ferguson
“Swamp Gator” by Jeanette Drake
“Family Bliss” by Witha Lacuesta
“Babys” by Dorothy Koliba
“Day Dawns in the Scrub” by Cindy McKee