What is the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society (PPWS) ?

Nancy Baldrica and Mary Ann Bransby co-founded the Society in 1987, organizing ten watercolor artists living in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado.

The ten Charter Members were:

The PPWS was founded to promote excellence in the watercolor painting medium and to encourage artistic achievement in the community. Their first exhibit was held at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs in March of 1988, with a 2nd exhibit during Christmas of that same year.  Today the P.P.W.S. continues to promote and encourage watercolor through its sponsorship of exhibitions, scholarships, workshops, and through its support of other local arts organizations and educational institutions. 

Who Belongs to the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society?

The P.P.W.S. has 50 Signature members and 50 plus Associate members, all living in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. Associate membership is open to any interested watercolor artist living in the Pikes Peak Region.  You may join by attending one of our monthly meetings (third Wednesday of each month at the COTTONWOOD ARTISTS SCHOOL, 25 Cimino Drive at 6:00pm), and filling out an Associate Membership application and submit annual dues.  Artists become Signature members through the juried selection process that evaluates the artist’s work, resume, and exhibition record (further information provided through Associate membership). Paintings by Society members appear regularly in national and international exhibitions and publications. Members teach art classes, give workshops and seminars locally and abroad. For further information regarding membership email:   mbmcadams@earthlink.net 

What does the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society do?

The Society sponsors an annual show for our signature members; The Annual Member's Winter Exhibit and Sale during November-December in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  And a Spring Watermedia Exhibition which has grown from a small regional show to a biennial International juried show. In 1997 our WATERMEDIA VIII became an international juried exhibition, exhibiting at the University of Colorado's Gallery of Contemporary Art in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Educational projects of the P.P.W.S. include workshops by nationally recognized artists, scholarships for high school and college art students, events to benefit other Colorado Springs arts organizations, and an annual artist's retreat at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

WATERMEDIA VIII (Artwork & Awards) FEBRUARY 1997 NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBIT at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Gallery. (slow download files)

WATERMEDIA IX exhibited at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center in January and February of 1998. Juror for Selection was Sondra Freckelton. Juror for Awards was Carolyn Hoyle.

WATERMEDIA X exhibited at the SANGRE DE CRISTO ART MUSEUM GALLERY, 210 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado in February and March, 1999. Juror for Selection and Awards was Alex Powers. For the first time, we published our catalog in color and cash awards included a $2000 gold award, $750 silver and $500 bronze.

International WATERMEDIA 2000, our eleventh WATERMEDIA Art Exhibit exhibited February 11 through March 24, 2000 at the UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jurors for Selection and Awards were John Hull and Louise Cadillac. A color catalog was published. Cash awards included the $1,500 Gold award, $750 silver, and $500 bronze. (SEE ARTWORK AWARDS) Louise Cadillac gave a lecture at 7:15pm following the Opening Reception and John Hull gave a GALLERY WALK / TALK the evening of Wednesday February 16th at 7:00 pm. Louise Cadillac conducted a great THREE DAY WORKSHOP February 12th, 13th, and 14th attended by 18 artists. The Workshop was held at the Franciscan Conference Center located in Northwest Colorado Springs.

 International WATERMEDIA XII exhibited at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center from January 20th through March 4th 2001. Juror for Selection and Awards was Judi Betts. 

International WATERMEDIA XIII exhibited again at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center June 21 through September 7, 2003.  Diane Maxey was Juror for show selection and awards and presented a workshop for watercolor artists June 16th - 20th.

International WATERMEDIA XIV our biennial International Art Exhibit completed its exhibition on October 14, 2005 at the UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Juror for Selection and Awards was Katherine Chang Liu. A color catalogue was published.

International WATERMEDIA XV our biennial International Art Exhibit was again held at the UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART in Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 15 through August 3, 2007. Juror for Selection and Awards was Frank Webb, aws, nws.  A color catalogue has been published.  (SEE CATALOGUE IN ADOBE PDF) 

International WATERMEDIA XVI  biennial exhibit will be held  in the King Gallery at  THE SANGRE DE CRISTO ARTS CENTER, 210 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado August 15 through October 24 in 2009. Juror for Selection and Awards will be TOM OWEN, AWS.  Check back for further information as it becomes available.

 

 

 

 SIGNATURE MEMBERS

(To See a Member's Art Work, click on their name)

 

INTERNET FOR THE FINE ARTS (See art on the internet)

© 2008 - Pikes Peak Watercolor Society. Without the express written prior authorization of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society and the individual artists, you may not copy, replicate, reproduce, edit, hire, sell, exhibit, or gain commercial benefit from or use in any way or form whatsoever the images, artworks, photographs, text or design incorporated within the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society site. All rights reserved.

This page last revised April 29, 2008 by Dennis Palsgrove, ppws@pcisys.net 

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