President’s Message – August 2024

I hope you’ve been having a memorable summer. The kids are heading back to school and we’re heading back into change, workshops and general meetings.

This is my last letter as President of BWS! The last two years have flown by! It has been wonderful experience getting to know everyone and be a part of the great events we have done. Lynn Devlin has volunteered for the role of President. She’s a warm, caring, can-do person and I know you will benefit from her leadership.

Please show your support for Lynn at the election of the new Board Members at the General Meeting on Saturday, September 7, 12-3 pm. The General Meeting will start at noon, the first hour will be a brown bag lunch/socializing opportunity, followed by the business meeting at 1:00 pm.

Unfortunately, I’ve known for about three months, that have to work that day. I will be completing a work project that I’ve been a part of for over a year and won’t be able to attend. I’m excited for those who have committed to supporting you in 2025 and beyond.

A reminder that starting in September, Susan Grabowski, sgrabbers@aol.com and Susan Carden-Flicker, scarden@snet.net will be your coordinators and hosts for the mini-workshops. They have graciously volunteered to fill the role. In September, you’ll see the webpage updated with their contact information.

The remaining workshops this year are:

Thank you all for your friendship and the opportunity to serve!

“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”
– Paul Cezanne

 

– Teri Mahnken

Teri Mahnken
President, Brevard Watercolor Society

President’s Message – July 2024

I hope everyone is having a good summer and taking advantage of some painting time in the cool of your homes. Membership has requested summer mini-workshops and we’re pleased to let you know the dates and the community center have been reserved for June and July of next year.

I am pleased to announce that starting in September, Susan Grabowski, sgrabbers@aol.com and Susan Carden-Flicker, scarden@snet.net will be your coordinators and hosts for the mini-workshops.

They have graciously volunteered to fill the role. In September, you’ll see the website updated with their contact information.

Our Mini-Workshop topics and artists for August, September and October are set, including the much-requested one about entering art shows. Click on the listings/photos below for more information and to register.

The supply lists will appear on the registration confirmation page. Additional drawings and information may be sent by the workshop team closer to the event date.

Other upcoming events include the FWS Convention, September 20-21 in St. Petersburg. The Wildlife Show will be returning, more details to come.

Please take a minute thank a Board Member – a lot of visible work done by volunteers and committee leads is seen at events and art shows. The day-to-day operation of the organization goes on behind the scenes with the BWS Board. They and the previous board, have been invaluable in helping me the last two years as president.

  • Donna Ware, VP and Membership – she keeps track of the current members, new and tenured. She also offers to help any time I reach out for assistance. Always present and available.
  • Sheila Harnois, Secretary – as the business and ideas flow excitedly at our meetings, both General and Board, Shelia captures it all. It’s not an easy job and all the previous secretaries will attest!
  • Linda South, Treasurer – has worked innumerable hours to better automate and shore up our financial record keeping. She’s been a rock for me. She’s a strong leader and functions well in the early morning hours too.

Speaking of the board, elections will be held at the General Meeting on Saturday, September 7, 12-3 pm. Two positions are open: President and Vice President – 2-3 Workshops. In May a Nominations Committee was formed with members Therese Ferguson, Laurie Griffin and Maria Trieste. A formal announcement of volunteers for the roles is expected in August. Lynn Devlin has volunteered for the role of President. Please join us for the elections meeting and show your support for the election of the new Board Members.

Going forward, the General Meetings will start at noon, the first hour will be a brown bag lunch/socializing opportunity, followed by the business meeting at 1:00 pm.

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.”
– Georgia O’Keeffe

 

– Teri Mahnken

Teri Mahnken
President, Brevard Watercolor Society

Bobbi Q. Brown – There’s a Medium for That!

“There’s a Medium for That!” was a great workshop given by BWS’s Bobbi Q. Brown on Saturday, September 28. We explored various watercolor mediums with some exciting results. Our thanks to Bobbi for taking the guess work out for us and showing us how we can use these different mediums!

 

 

Pat Bowlds – Abstract and Contemporary Watermedia

Saturday, August 24, 2019:  BWS members and guests thoroughly enjoyed the many techniques using various water media products to control opacity to transparency in Pat Bowlds’s “Abstract & Contemporary Art Watermedia” mini workshop. Photos by Kathie Benson.

“Thank you Pat, for a super workshop! This enhanced my familiarity with design, introduced me to new water media and/or techniques, and placed me in a friendly and supportive group of fellow artists. Each “free-to-members” mini-workshop is a great gift of BWS, and those of you who give up your Saturday to share and teach are special jewels in our organization. So glad I joined this year!”
– Irene “Reenie” Noden