about Santa Cruz Watercolor Society
We are a group of studio and plein air artists whose goal is to provide a community for watercolorists working on all levels. Collectively we are a friendly group wishing to develop personal and professional opportunities. We invite you to join us.
THE CRITIQUE GROUP
The Critique Group’s core consists of artists who have varying directions and goals. All levels of experience are welcome. The main objective of the Critique is to give an immediate audience for new work and to provide helpful dialogue and motivation. The group also acts as a network of technical information and sponsors bulk ordering of supplies. Presently we are meeting on Tuesdays at eleven thirty at the Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz. The meeting and participation is also is accessible through a Zoom link. For Zoom access, please contact Aimee through this website.
THE PLEIN AIR GROUP
Traditionally met weekly for outdoor painting. This had been a casual outing of dedicated painters. It has not been functioning since pre-COVID. Individuals who wish to revive this activity, please contact the SCWS through this website.
SCWCS ANNUAL EVENTS
The Society also meets yearly for a business/social gathering and traditionally hosts an annual show as well as maintaining this website.
The Santa Cruz Watercolor Society Critique Group managed to continue throughout COVID via Zoom meetings. Thank you to those who helped hold it together: Aimee Nelson, Linda Lord, Laura Crosser, Nancy Howe, Judith Feinman, Margaret Leonard, Lee Taiz, Heidi Woodmansee, Dale Johnson, Donna Large, Lenore Doler, Susan Koch, Ignacio Avalos, Norma Gillen, Carol Riddle (now deceased), Anne Harding (now deceased).
We are in the process of reorganizing, welcoming new members and updating our programs and fees. This is an excellent time to join.
History
In the early 1970’s Marian Goodman created a bulletin that published weekly meeting sites for artists interested in plein air watercolor. She became the chair of the new, informally organized society. Marian served as chairperson for the first ten years at which time she turned the leadership over to Jo Juett. Among the notable artist of this early group were Melita Israel, Jan Moss, Bess Blodgett, Emily Clark, Janet Rillet, Lloyd Organ, Bob Newick, Lois Monaghan, Lois Muhly and Barbara Sheriff.
In 1962, at the newly opened Cabrillo community college, the new art instructor, Dave McGuire, led his watercolor students through classes in both studio and plein air exercises. As part of his program he developed and led a weekly critique session to discuss the work being created.
Bernie Waymire had been a member of the McGuire group and had developed the expertise to look at paintings and make helpful comments and suggestions. She was interested in creating a cooperative of artists to carry on the process of ongoing critique.
In the 1980’s, the plein air group begun by the Marian Goodman bulletin and Bernie Waymire’s newly formed critique group joined together to become the Santa Cruz Watercolor society.
Bernie developed an annual outdoor exhibit open to active critique group participants. It became known as Art in the Garden and ran for more than ten years with varying numbers of artists
participating, first in Bernie’s Garden and later at the Pergola Nursery in Soquel and The Back Porch Nursery in Scotts Valley
Meanwhile, Dave McGuire was offering many opportunities to travel and paint with his Black Point Art Group.
Greece and Mexico were favored destinations as well as Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Washington State.
These influences and the various interrelations of practicing artists help strengthen the SCWS, which became closely related to the Santa Cruz Art League through Linda Lord’s organization of membership shows at the League. After Bernie’s death, the Critique group was carried on by a strong core which included Linda Lord, Nancy Howe, Anne Harding, , Lee Taiz, Maggie Moore, Jere Ann Hall, Susan Hass, Bonnie Walter, Marilee Gregory and Judith Feinman. The structure of the SCWS was kept solid through the efforts of Lloyd Organ who served for many years as treasurer and Pat Towery who sent out monthly newsletters regarding the Society’s activities.
Barbara Sheriff brought the SCWS group showings to the UCSC Arboretum, Gail Karen to the MAH, SCW treasurer Dale Johnson and Lee Taiz have now brought the group showing to the R. Blitzer Gallery.