Watercolor Excellence Featured at KAA This August
By Angela Wrahtz, President, Wild Over Watercolor-Guild of Artists, For The West Side Newspaper
Each August, the Keizer Art Association Gallery hosts one of its most anticipated exhibitions of the year — the Wild Over Watercolor Annual Group Show. This colorful and inspiring exhibition brings together some of Oregon’s most accomplished watercolor artists and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the remarkable versatility and beauty of watercolor painting.
Wild Over Watercolor — Guild of Artists, affectionately known as WOW!, is a thriving organization of nearly forty artists who share a passion for watercolor and water media. A number of these artists are from the Keizer/Salem area and call the Keizer Art Center their home.
For almost twenty years, WOW! members have gathered regularly in Keizer and Tualatin to exchange ideas, encourage one another’s growth, and explore new techniques and creative approaches. While many members are award-winning artists with extensive exhibition experience, the organization welcomes artists at all levels who are committed to learning and artistic development.
The WOW! Annual Group Show, which happens each August, has become one of the largest and most prestigious shows hosted by the Keizer Art Association. This year’s exhibition will feature approximately twenty artists displaying more than sixty original works. Visitors will discover an impressive range of styles and subjects, from traditional landscapes, florals, and portraits to contemporary and abstract works that push the boundaries of watercolor as a medium. The show runs from July 30th through September 1st.
The exhibition demonstrates why watercolor remains one of the most challenging and rewarding forms of painting. Known for its luminosity, transparency, and spontaneity, watercolor requires both technical skill and creative vision. The works on display reveal the many possibilities of the medium and the unique artistic voices of the painters who create them. A number of participants in the show are also well-loved art teachers at KAA, like Michelle Myers, whose landscape paintings inspire many.
This year’s exhibition will be juried by well-known Oregon artist Liz Walker of Beaverton, whose expertise and artistic accomplishments have earned widespread respect throughout the region. Awards will recognize outstanding achievement among participating artists.
The exhibition also highlights the important role the Keizer Art Association plays in enriching the cultural life of the community. For decades, the Association has fulfilled its mission of promoting visual arts, encouraging artistic growth, and providing opportunities for artists and the public to connect through exhibitions, education, and outreach. The gallery serves as a welcoming gathering place where creativity is celebrated and where visitors can experience original artwork created by talented local and regional artists.
Beyond its exhibitions, the Keizer Art Association offers educational opportunities for individuals interested in developing their own artistic skills. Watercolor classes, workshops, demonstrations, and special events provide opportunities for beginners and experienced painters alike to learn from accomplished artists in a supportive environment. For many people, a visit to the gallery is the first step toward discovering a lifelong creative passion.
The WOW! exhibition will be on display throughout the month of August at the Keizer Art Association Gallery, located on the second floor of the Keizer Art Center at 980 Chemawa Road NE in Keizer. Convenient parking and elevator access make the gallery easy to visit.
An awards reception will be held on Saturday, August 1, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to meet artists, enjoy refreshments, view the artwork, and celebrate the creative spirit that makes Oregon’s art community so vibrant. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Gallery hours throughout the month of August may vary but are generally Tuesdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesdays – Fridays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p. m. Visitors are encouraged to check the Keizer Art Association website before attending. Additional information about the exhibition, classes, workshops, and other events can also be found there.
Whether you are an art enthusiast, an aspiring painter, or simply looking for an enjoyable cultural experience, the WOW! Annual Group Show offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the beauty of watercolor and the vital role the arts play in building community. We invite you to join us in Keizer this August and experience one of the region’s premier watercolor exhibitions.
For more information about WOW!, visit www.wowiswatercolor.org or contact Angela Wrahtz, President of WOW!, at angela.wrahtz@comcast.net. To inquire about classes or art programming at KAA, please write to keizerartassociation@gmail.com .