Our Story
The Spokane Watercolor Society was formed in 1952 by a group of professional artists with a desire to stimulate watercolor painting. From the beginning, the purpose was to do as much painting as each member could, both individually and as a group, then to critique each artist’s painting. While the critique session could be a little harsh to new members, it was meant to help each artist improve his composition and painting.
The bylaws required one painting a month by each member, and those who failed were assessed a twenty-five cent penalty, not much by today’s standards. Members who failed to be present were assessed an additional twenty-five cents. If a member missed three consecutive meetings he was dropped from the membership. Early, membership was limited to twelve men. However, the membership limit increased to fifteen about the time the first female professional artist joined. The group met at the Corbin Art Center the second Monday of each month. Today, however, the society meets the third Wednesday of each month except during summer and no longer assesses penalties or requires attendance.
At Christmas the artists would exchange miniature watercolors, a 5” x 7” matted “mini” wrapped in newspaper, at their meeting. This tradition continued until 1995. The miniature concept remains today during the organization’s annual auction. The “mini” is now wrapped in tissue and placed on each table as “favors” for guests and members. The original “Keyhole Auction” was a members only function. The purpose was to give members an opportunity to collect works from each other. The artist could bid up to $10.00, (maximum bid) for a painting, but bidders would only see a small 2” x 2” section through a keyhole shape. Funds generated were used for field trips by bus to painting sites around the Northwest.
The success of these auctions became the attention of non-painters who wanted to attend, and future auctions became an invitational affair. Now its popularity has made the auction open to the public and eliminated the “keyhole”. The auction has become the current society’s major fund raising activity to bring national watercolorists to the area for workshops, guest demonstrations, and jurors for watercolor exhibits.
The Spokane Watercolor Society membership now has expanded to include men and women of many occupations and has expanded its activities to include non-member workshops and juried exhibits. The society is now over 40 active members and still maintains its early requirements of approving application of new members by viewing three recent works of the prospective members plus a $25.00 new member fee and $25.00 annual dues. And, although membership was once limited to Spokane, the Spokane Watercolor Society has now grown to include a broad geographic personality across the Northwest with several members of the group also participating in and exhibiting with national organizations such as the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Northwest Watercolor Society. Yet, on the third Wednesday each month, the migration travels to Spokane for a 6:30 P.M. fellowship period followed by a meeting, critique, or demonstration at 7:00. And promptly at 9:00 P.M. the painters return to their studios.
Don Nepean
March 24, 1997
The bylaws required one painting a month by each member, and those who failed were assessed a twenty-five cent penalty, not much by today’s standards. Members who failed to be present were assessed an additional twenty-five cents. If a member missed three consecutive meetings he was dropped from the membership. Early, membership was limited to twelve men. However, the membership limit increased to fifteen about the time the first female professional artist joined. The group met at the Corbin Art Center the second Monday of each month. Today, however, the society meets the third Wednesday of each month except during summer and no longer assesses penalties or requires attendance.
At Christmas the artists would exchange miniature watercolors, a 5” x 7” matted “mini” wrapped in newspaper, at their meeting. This tradition continued until 1995. The miniature concept remains today during the organization’s annual auction. The “mini” is now wrapped in tissue and placed on each table as “favors” for guests and members. The original “Keyhole Auction” was a members only function. The purpose was to give members an opportunity to collect works from each other. The artist could bid up to $10.00, (maximum bid) for a painting, but bidders would only see a small 2” x 2” section through a keyhole shape. Funds generated were used for field trips by bus to painting sites around the Northwest.
The success of these auctions became the attention of non-painters who wanted to attend, and future auctions became an invitational affair. Now its popularity has made the auction open to the public and eliminated the “keyhole”. The auction has become the current society’s major fund raising activity to bring national watercolorists to the area for workshops, guest demonstrations, and jurors for watercolor exhibits.
The Spokane Watercolor Society membership now has expanded to include men and women of many occupations and has expanded its activities to include non-member workshops and juried exhibits. The society is now over 40 active members and still maintains its early requirements of approving application of new members by viewing three recent works of the prospective members plus a $25.00 new member fee and $25.00 annual dues. And, although membership was once limited to Spokane, the Spokane Watercolor Society has now grown to include a broad geographic personality across the Northwest with several members of the group also participating in and exhibiting with national organizations such as the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Northwest Watercolor Society. Yet, on the third Wednesday each month, the migration travels to Spokane for a 6:30 P.M. fellowship period followed by a meeting, critique, or demonstration at 7:00. And promptly at 9:00 P.M. the painters return to their studios.
Don Nepean
March 24, 1997